| | You and Clean WaterEPA 841-B-95-002April, 1995When More Is Better

The recognition of diffuse, or nonpoint source,
pollution as a major contributor to declining water
quality has spawned another approach to improving our
water resources: better water quality through greater
water quantity.This document explains the relationship between the
quantity of water and its quality and discusses how
developing water-use efficiency programs can help states
and local communities achieve cleaner water through
conserving water.IntroductionCh. 1 - How We Use Water In These United 
StatesCh. 2 - How Excessive Water Use Affects Water
QualityCh. 3. - How to Conserve Water and Use It
EffectivelyCh. 4 - Regional Approaches to Efficient Water Uses:
Tales From the TrenchesGlossary and ReferencesIntroduction

Typically, nonpoint source (NPS) pollution originates
from rain and melted snow flowing over the land, which is
called runoff. As runoff contacts the land's surface, it
picks up many pollutants in its path_sediment, oil and
grease, road salt, fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients,
toxics, and other contaminants. Runoff can also originate
from irrigation water used in agriculture and on
landscapes. Many pollutants are picked up by irrigation
water as it runs off the land.Water conservation coupled with pollutant source
reduction, such as nutrient and pesticide management,
would be a particularly effective approach to reducing
the adverse effects of all types of NPS pollution. The
focus of this document, however, is on the types and
sources of NPS pollution most commonly associated with
urban uses of water.Other types of nonpoint pollution include changes to
the natural flow of water in stream channels or wetlands.
Changes to the natural flow of water in streams or
wetlands result in habitat destruction for fish and
wildlife. Placing dams across our rivers and streams can
permanently alter the characteristics of upstream and
downstream areas by flooding upstream habitats and drying
downstream habitats. Failures of onsite disposal systems
(septic tanks) lead to increases in nutrients, harmful
bacteria in oyster and clam beds, and closures of public
swimming areas. Conserving water can help to reduce some
impacts from these other sources of nonpoint pollution.Perhaps most relevant, however, besides the intrinsic
benefit of improving water quality by addressing water
quantity, are the other, economically beneficial effects
of these water quality improvements. Some of the NPS
pollution problems that can be reduced by improved water
conservation include:On-site disposal system failures
Dried-up downstream wetlands
Polluted runoff from overirrigation of agricultural
and urban lands
Construction of additional dams and reservoirs and
additional water and wastewater treatment facilities
Surface water withdrawals that result in habitat
degradation both instream and on land adjacent to streams
and lakes (riparian areas)The many benefits
of water use efficiency include cost savings and
pollution prevention even beyond nonpoint source
pollution because many pollution prevention practices and
activities result in reduced water use, which saves
money. However, some pollution prevention practices that
do not reduce NPS pollution also provide a cost savings,
making these three driving forces (water use efficiency,
cost savings, and pollution prevention) great companions.
The umbrella term "water use efficiency" actually defines
a larger area of two subcategories: water
conservation_finding ways to use less water to begin
with_as distinct from water reuse and reclamation, such
as "closed loop cycles" to reuse water in commercial and
industrial settings or use of partially treated
wastewater for lawn watering and in industrial settings.Implementing practices or programs outlined in this
guide might help reduce onsite disposal system failures
and decrease runoff of nutrients and soil from landscaped
areas or agricultural fields. By reducing septic system
failures and conserving irrigation water, we can also
protect ground water from nitrates and salinity to
preserve and safeguard our drinking water supplies.Similarly, saving water through improved efficiency
can lessen the need to withdraw ground or surface water
supplies for municipal or industrial demands. Conserving
water decreases the need to impound or otherwise regulate
the natural flow of streams, thus preserving free flow to
retain the value of stream and river systems as wildlife
habitat and for tourism and recreation.In addition, building fewer and smaller new water
projects can help prevent the destruction or degradation
of pollutant-filtering wetlands. Efficient water use can
also mean a reduction in the amount of energy needed to
treat wastewater, resulting in less energy demand and
therefore fewer by-products from power plants.The reuse of wastewater or reclaimed water is
beneficial because it reduces the demands on available
surface and ground waters. 
Also, recycling process water can reduce industrial
pollutants discharged into lakes, streams, rivers, and
oceans. Perhaps the greatest immediate benefit of
establishing water reuse programs is their contribution
to delaying or eliminating the need to expand potable
water supply and treatment facilities. However, sometimes
this reuse can also adversely impact waters. Highest
quality water sources are preserved for drinking water by
using treated wastewater for other uses (USEPA, 1990e).Water conservation is not a new idea in the United
States. In fact, more than 40 states now have some type
of water conservation program. Nationwide surveys already
indicate more than 80 percent of water utility customers
support some form of water conservation measure (Kranzer,
1988). Water suppliers and consumers can choose from a
wide variety of available water conservation practices,
programs, and strategies proven capable of significantly
reducing water consumption. These include:Metering
Reducing water pressure
Imposing water use restrictions
Enacting zoning ordinances
Changing price structures
Educating the publicThis document is designed to serve as both resource
and guide for state and local officials, particularly
where water conservation is determined to be an important
consideration in protecting water quality. A Guide to
Cleaner Water Through Conserving Water begins with a
review of water use in the United States, showing trends
in major categories of water use. The second chapter
outlines a variety of nonpoint pollution
impacts
resulting from excessive water use, and the third chapter
describes some of the technical and programmatic
approaches available to reduce water use and thus protect
water quality. The fourth chapter provides a number of
examples of regional programs implementing many of these
approaches. The document concludes with a glossary and
references to aid in understanding the material.Proceed to Chapter 1EPA HOMEPAGE / 
OFFICE OF WATER / 
HOTLINES / 
COMMENTS / 
SEARCH
Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://www.epa.gov/OW/you/intro.html
Revised September 28, 1998
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