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Innovative water conservation supports sustainable housing development
Author(s) -
Maddaus Michelle L.,
Maddaus William O.,
Torre Marshall,
Harris Richard
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2008.tb09634.x
Subject(s) - business , general partnership , sustainability , water scarcity , water supply , water conservation , sustainable development , environmental planning , economic shortage , environmental resource management , natural resource economics , water resources , environmental science , environmental engineering , economics , finance , government (linguistics) , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , political science , law , biology
The water industry is facing challenges related to growing populations and fixed water supplies. Innovative ways to allow continuing development while creating efficient, sustainable communities is a key goal. A partnership between a private builder in California and the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, California, is one example of such innovation. The authors demonstrate how to create a sustainable development with no net water supply increase. This information is applicable to any community that is or will be experiencing water shortages in the future and will be a model for other developers and water utilities in water‐scarce areas to follow for several reasons: water supply shortages create opportunities for innovation; water savings in the range of 20‐30% are possible for onsite reductions; offsite mitigation is possible where significant conservation potential exists within current service areas; and, creating a zero footprint for new development is one way to enhance the goal of sustainability.