Encouraging customers to use less water and reducing waste in water distribution systems makes sense for utilities because efficiency helps to defer, downsize, or altogether avoid expensive expansions of water supplies, drinking water treatment plants, water distribution and sewage collection systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.
Efficiency can cut operating costs, too.
It's good for the environment, good public relations, and may be required by state and federal regulators or funding agencies. Our analyses demonstrate that water efficiency is a supply and facility-planning option that should be evaluated side by side with proposed new infrastructure. RMI's policy and implementation efforts take many forms. We evaluate water efficiency technologies and promote important new developments. We analyze utility programs and compile and disseminate case studies of the most effective programs for implementing water efficiency, including techniques that use local codes and ordinances, water and sewer rate structures, rebates and other incentives, market-based approaches, public education, technical assistance to water users, and more.