Distinguishing water conservation from water savings in the western USA

Abstract

Chronic water shortages are a serious and growing concern in the western USA. Water conservation is among the key strategies promoted to help affected communities bring their water demands into better balance with current and projected supplies. The term ‘water conservation’, however, has different meanings to different people at different times, and the muddled and inconsistent interpretation of associated terms – including ‘water efficiencies’, ‘water savings’, and ‘water use’ – can confuse and even impede progress towards intended conservation goals. The importance of evaluating proposed water conservation measures by considering the relevant water pathways, the basin-scale water balances, and applicable water law is discussed, and assessments of several typical water conservation actions are provided as examples. To help planners and policy-makers ensure that proposed water conservation measures are likely to achieve desired conservation objectives, this paper identifies the key aspects to take into account when evaluating specific water conservation strategies and options.