Water Conservation

States have many avenues to support water conservation, but, surprisingly, many Western U.S. states are not taking full advantage of them. For example, Colorado and Texas have more stringent standards for plumbing fixtures, when compared to states like Arizona and Utah, according to the U.S. State Policy Scorecard for Water Efficiency and Sustainability issued by the Alliance for Water Efficiency.

This is just one example. Many Western states haven’t required utilities to use tiered rate systems or audit their system for water loss. States should consider these policies very seriously as conditions become hotter and drier in the West and as more funding becomes available through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Water utilities with impactful conservation plans tailor their efforts to community needs and hit various users. These utilities typically serve three user groups: single-family residences, multifamily residences, and commercial-industrial properties. It’s essential to engage with each group and its spectrum of needs. Cities and utilities implementing a broad range of policies will see the greatest reduction in water use.

San Antonio, Texas, is a national leader in urban water conservation. In the last 20 years, the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has implemented over 30 conservation strategies and programs, saving 1 trillion gallons of water to date. The utility excels at targeting diverse water uses and routinely setting new goals once a program has reached its peak effectiveness.

SAWS employs a multifaceted approach to reach all water users in its system, including:

• rebate programs for efficient appliances and landscape conversions
• mandatory irrigation checkups for high-use commercial properties
• low-income assistance initiatives like leak repairs, and
• tiered pricing structure that charges more for excessive use

These diverse and highly effective strategies work in tandem to create a robust framework that engages all users. In 2023 alone, SAWS conserved almost of water through efficiency policies and programs, according to the utility’s Five-Year Water Conservation Plan.

Part of SAWS’ success is due to its ability to redirect resources as community needs change. The utility’s “Kick the Can” rebate program targeted indoor plumbing fixtures and was highly effective from the 1990s through the 2010s. The program led to the replacement of 200,000 residential and 100,000 commercial toilets, according to SAWS. Once SAWS determined the program had reached its maximum effect, it reallocated its resources to other conservation efforts, primarily outdoor use. SAWS does this constantly, sunsetting effective programs when results plateau.

SAWS’ success isn’t just about having a lot of programs – it’s about knowing when to pivot and where to punch hardest. By constantly reevaluating its efforts, SAWS keeps its strategies sharp, ensuring every drop of water saved makes a difference. The real win, though, is how SAWS precisely targets each group, crafting solutions for all users and income types. This focus meets people where they are and drives real, measurable results.

Targeted conservation efforts are the best way to maximize impact since water utilities often face tight budgetary constraints. By focusing on the highest water users, utilities can drive significant savings with limited resources. Additionally, as communities continue to become more water efficient, it will be increasingly necessary to zero in on specific sectors and practices that have the greatest potential for conservation impact.

Targeted efforts that focus on specific high-use sectors are crucial for achieving deeper savings and further distancing water use from economic growth. One example of this is in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) successfully implemented a separate water budget specifically for golf courses, directly addressing one of the city’s most water-intensive-use industries. By setting clear limits and expectations, SNWA ensures that golf courses use water responsibly, leading to significant reductions in overall consumption without compromising operations.

Similarly, San Antonio has focused on commercial and industrial users, particularly targeting irrigation systems for businesses and public spaces. Through initiatives like mandatory irrigation checkups and rebates for upgrading to efficient systems, San Antonio’s water utility has driven impressive change. For example, SAWS irrigation checkup program, which requires high volume users to preform and submit annual reports regarding water leaks, ensures system leaks are addressed quickly. Post-checkup evaluations show savings of more than 10,000 gallons per month per property, according to SAWS’ Five-Year Water Conservation Plan. These strategic, sector-specific approaches allow water utilities to achieve greater conservation results by addressing the individualized needs and challenges of different users.

Community education is also essential to any conservation effort. Education raises awareness and builds public support, drives compliance, and increases participation in programs. Publications and advertising play a significant role in educating the public on conservation rules and opportunities.

Las Vegas’ “Water Smart” campaign stands out. SNWA runs a media campaign using television, print, and radio ads to promote and educate residents on water restrictions, fines, and rebate programs, according to the SNWA Joint Water Conservation Plan. Like the city itself, these ads can be flashy and have even used dark humor to better engage audiences.

Creative advertising has also been effective. Las Vegas residents are highly aware of the water regulations: Nine out of 10 people questioned can discuss the current water restrictions, according to the NPR podcast Parched. The ads aren’t responsible for all of the city’s conservation successes, but these efforts have dramatically increased compliance and have helped achieve substantial water savings.

While most conservation efforts include public outreach and water literacy programs, water utilities shouldn’t underestimate the power of memorable advertising and engaging social media content.

Enforcement and accountability are vital to providing measurable results. Good data is at the heart of accountability. Water use data is how utilities, regional water boards, and state agencies set goals and measure conservation progress. This data is traditionally collected through water meters, which are read manually on a monthly basis.

Meters are starting to improve, and many utilities in Western U.S. states are beginning to invest in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). AMI automatically transmits meter data on a regular basis, allowing for more up-to-date water use tracking. San Antonio, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; and Denver, Colorado, have all started to roll out AMI. More accurate and timely data will allow entities to better assess conservation efforts and ensure they are investing in programs that have measurable results.

Improved data will also empower water users. People are typically unaware of their water consumption patterns. Users generally estimate their outdoor water use to be 30% of their total use, but the reality is closer to 60%, according to the . This disconnect has significant consequences as 14% of indoor water use in the U.S. is due to undetected leaks, according to the Water Research Foundation allows users to notice anomalies in their consumption, which leads to earlier leak detection and more proactive responses. The increased accountability also allows users to avoid enforcement violations and fines by allowing them to address issues before they become more serious.

Additionally, more accurate metering has been shown to drastically change people’s habits. In one Utah community, outdoor water consumption dropped by 23% after adding secondary water meters.

More accurate and timely data on water use can have a profound effect when in the hands of users. While many utilities are rolling out AMI, they should also consider how to make this data accessible and usable to water users to maximize the investment.

Even the most well-intentioned conservation efforts can be derailed by conflicting rules.

Restrictive homeowners association (HOA) policies and confusing programs can discourage residents and businesses alike from participating in conservation efforts. HOAs often have rules that mandate traditional lawns which are frequently at odds with city and state conservation efforts. And about 30% of U.S. homes are part of an HOA, according to a study by the National Association of Realtors, making them among the biggest culprits.

Amid ongoing drought conditions, a resident in Salt Lake City, Utah was fined for replacing grass with water-saving landscaping in his park strip, the small space between the sidewalk and the road. This prompted city officials to reconsider landscaping regulations to ensure they are in line with the community’s water-saving goals. States like Colorado, Texas, and Arizona have all implemented statutes that prevent HOAs from prohibiting drought-talented landscaping.

Other issues can arise when there is misalignment between overlapping authorities, such as occurred in Texas during extreme drought conditions in 2022 and 2023. SAWS, the local water utility, defined drought stages and corresponding procedures for each level. But the Edwards Aquifer Authority, a separate entity responsible for managing the Edwards Aquifer in Central Texas, defined the drought stages differently. This caused confusion among San Antonio residents and lowered compliance with drought procedures. Alignment of goals, definitions, and rules can reduce this risk.

Preventing these kinds of roadblocks requires communication between governing entities and water users. For conservation efforts to be most effective, they should be part of a coordinated effort to ensure no unforeseen barriers.

Water conservation efforts are essential to help curb demand and mitigate immediate shortage. But it isn’t a stand-alone solution to Western U.S. states’ water problems. These efforts need to be part of a broader strategy that includes infrastructure investments, supply diversification, and long-term planning.

State water plans provide the necessary framework to align conservation initiatives with other critical actions, such as enhancing storage capacities, improving water recycling, and securing alternative water sources. By embedding conservation within a comprehensive state approach, it becomes a powerful tool that complements and strengthens overall water management, helping to build resilience against drought and future water uncertainties.

Conservation is a practical and essential part of any water supply solution. It’s more than a stopgap measure. It’s a strategic approach that amplifies broader efforts to diversify water supplies and plan for the future.

Conservation efforts can deliver water savings, foster accountability, and cultivate a water-smart ethos. But they work best when state policies and local rules align. States and local authorities should navigate today’s water challenges by investing in data-driven policies, targeted programs, and education. When integrated into a larger coordinated water plan, these efforts will address immediate needs, fortify communities, and drive a more sustainable future for all.

About the series

Waters of the West is a special report from the George W. Bush Institute. This four-part series aims to answer key questions surrounding urban development: Will water availability hinder growth in Western U.S. cities? What can be done to ensure that these high-opportunity places are sustainable?

To answer these questions, we spent months speaking with policy experts and stakeholders. We also looked at water usage data and state water plans where available.

Read the full series