You must prepare a water use efficiency (WUE) program and make it available for review if we request to see it. Small water system management programs must include the annual amount of water consumed by your residential and non-residential customers, and totals for each customer class (such as single-family residential or commercial). A complete WUE program includes both supply side (water system) and demand side (customer) strategies for efficient water use.
A utility should demonstrate its efficient use of the resource and help their customers to use water efficiently. Small water systems do NOT need to include seasonal variations in customer class. In most cases we would not request to see your WUE program until you submit your planning document for approval or during a sanitary survey.
Service Meter Data
Within a small water system management program, you must include the following.
- Monthly and annual totals of water produced.
- Monthly and annual totals of water purchased from another water system.
- Annual totals of water supplied to other water systems through interties.
Small water systems concerned about the cost-of-service meters for each customer should understand that, while the initial cost can be burdensome, source and service meters will be used to identify deteriorating infrastructure. The meter results provide information used to budget for necessary improvements. This leads to cost savings in treatment and pumping, and it reduces wear and tear on replacement pumps and other facilities. Over time, the water system captures lost revenue resulting from eliminating leaks in the system.
See our Publications and Resources webpage for information on potential meter financing.
Demand Forecast Method
If you are completing a small water system management program, you must project demand for all your approved connections. If your existing number of connections equals the approved number of connections, then project your existing demand. Describe the demand projection using your average daily demand (see WAC 246-290-221 for water demand design criteria).
You should base this projection on historical water use patterns using actual water use and the zoning and land use data from your local government comprehensive or land use plan.
Source Description and Water Supply Characteristics
For small water system management programs, you must identify your source description: Do you use groundwater or surface water, or both? What body of water or watershed is your source taken from? This description is like the information required in a wellhead protection plan. Your water supply characteristics must include:
- Source description(s).
- Name and location of the source from which water is used.
Suggested Measures
We recommend that you implement at least one quantifiable measure for a WUE goal. Inexpensive quantifiable measures include things such as faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and hose repair kits. You don't need to buy one of these for every customer; consider purchasing enough quantities to reach 50% of your customers and have them available for pick-up to save on mailing costs.
Some of the most inexpensive measures (such as education) are the most difficult to quantify. Here are some commonly used WUE measures that water systems implement:
- Sending water savings tips to your customers in the annual water quality report.
- Conservation rate structures.
- Educating customers to identify and repair leaks in and around their homes.
- Educating customers on how to save money on water and energy bills by installing WaterSense fixtures and appliances.
- Showing consumption history on water bills.
- Placing water saving educational materials on their website.
For More Information
Resources developed for smaller water systems to create their own water use efficiency (WUE) programs.
- WUE Guidebook 331-375 (PDF)
- Stop Water Waste Brochure 331-450 (PDF)
- Water Saving Tips 331-375-J (PDF)
If you have any questions, please email WUE@doh.wa.gov.