Estimating the Value of Water-use Efficiency in the Intermountain West

Estimating the Value of Water-use Efficiency in the Intermountain West
Author: David G. Groves
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 89
Release: 2008
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0833043978

"Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of water-efficiency programs can be difficult, because not all the benefits are easily quantified. This report presents an economic framework based on two tools from the California Urban Water Conservation Council to estimate the avoided costs and environmental benefits of an agency's efficiency programs. The report evaluates the benefits of Denver Water efficiency programs and uses an exploratory modeling approach to accommodate the significant uncertainty in such estimations. The results of this study suggest that the inclusion of long-run avoided costs and environmental benefits is critical to fully recognizing the value of water-use efficiency programs. The authors find that evaluating only the short-run avoided costs leads to the conclusion that many water-efficiency projects already a part of Denver Water's 10-year conservation plan are not cost-effective. When long-run avoided costs and environmental and recreational benefits were factored in, all but two Denver Water programs were estimated to be cost-effective. The timing of projected water savings from efficiency programs is also critical. Water savings from programs that concentrate savings during summer months, when water is scarcer, should be valued higher than saving from programs that lead to more uniform water savings throughout the year, because these water savings reduce peak water needs." -- publisher's website.

Handbook of Water Use and Conservation

Handbook of Water Use and Conservation
Author: Amy Vickers
Publisher:
Total Pages: 472
Release: 2001
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Provides estimated water savings, benefits and costs for measures. Includes tables, charts, photos, eight appendices, glossary, and index.

Water Conservation Programs - A Planning Manual

Water Conservation Programs - A Planning Manual
Author: American Water Works Association
Publisher: American Water Works Association
Total Pages: 163
Release: 2006
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1583213910

This new manual discusses the benefits of water conservation programs that are carefully designed and implemented. It is a water conservation planning guide for city water utilities that provides worksheets, steps, goals, and program participant responsibilities and roles. It also discusses water conservation rates, support for water pricing adjustments, involvement of various outside groups, obstacles to overcome, the efficient utilization of available sources of supply, public recognition and participation, and success measurement.

Preparing Urban Water Use Efficiency Plans

Preparing Urban Water Use Efficiency Plans
Author: Lisa Maddaus
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2013-11-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1780405235

Many communities are facing water scarcity in developing and developed countries alike. There are numerous publications and on-going research studies documenting the changes in our climate and potential for worsening shortages in our future. Meeting future potable water demands as communities continue to grow will rely heavily on using our existing water resources more efficiently. Preparing Urban Water Use Efficiency Plans provides detailed approaches to developing and implementing a water conservation plan. This book covers the broad spectrum of conservation planning for urban communities including achieving more efficiency from: Residential domestic uses Commercial and governmental facilities use Industrial uses Pricing Water Loss Control Programs The steps in the Guide clearly outline and provide sample calculations to aid determining which water use efficiency activities are financially justifiable to undertake. The end result is a plan that policy decision makers can adopt and fund, and that water service provider staff can implement to help increase their community's water reliability. It includes numerous case studies and a Microsoft Excel based software tool to allow planners to evaluate the business case for implementing various water conservation activities. This book is an essential resource for professionals in water and wastewater resources, particularly for planners and engineers. It is also a useful guide for Post Graduate and Undergraduate students. Author(s): Lisa Maddaus, William Maddaus and Michelle Maddaus, Maddaus Water Management Inc.

Water Rates

Water Rates
Author: BOSTON, Massachusetts. City Council. Joint Standing Committees. Committee on Water
Publisher:
Total Pages: 12
Release: 1853
Genre: Water use
ISBN:

Estimating the Value of Water-Use Efficiency in the Intermountain West

Estimating the Value of Water-Use Efficiency in the Intermountain West
Author: David G. Groves
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 89
Release: 2008-01-16
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0833044427

This report presents an economic framework for estimating a water agency's avoided costs and environmental benefits of increasing water-use efficiency. The report demonstrates this framework by evaluating the benefits of Denver Water's efficiency programs and utilizes an exploratory modeling approach to accommodate significant uncertainty. The analysis highlights the importance of considering both long- and short-run costs and benefits.