U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.-09) have introduced the Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022, bicameral legislation to incentivize water-efficiency upgrades and to establish programs to identify and repair leaks, especially in areas experiencing severe drought and in low-income communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the installation of water-efficient fixtures and appliances can reduce water use by 20 percent, and new research has shown that leak-reduction in water systems is the most cost-effective urban water management tool, yet federal spending on energy efficiency and renewable energy has outpaced spending on water efficiency and reuse by approximately 80 to 1 since 2000. Meanwhile, U.S. household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually, and in California, despite intensifying drought conditions and increased calls for conservation, urban water use increased 19 percent in March—underscoring the need for solutions that will incorporate efficiency and conservation into households and water systems to achieve sustained results.
“Water efficiency and conservation measures are among the fastest and least expensive ways to save water, lower water bills, and bolster a drought-resilient water supply,” said Senator Padilla. “During this historic mega-drought for California and for the entire southwestern United States, we must work to modernize our water infrastructure and make it more efficient—we all have a stake in this fight.”
“By improving water efficiency, consumers will benefit from a more robust water supply and lower water bills,” said Congressman McNerney. “In addition to increasing our water conservation efforts, this legislation will reduce energy consumption as water and energy are intrinsically related: energy is required to move, treat, and heat water for safe use. At a time when California and Western states are experiencing a prolonged and devastating drought and rising energy costs are impacting people throughout the nation, this bill tackles two escalating challenges by providing common sense solutions to reduce water and energy waste.”
The Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022 would establish three new EPA grant programs and authorize each at $20–25 million annually, for five years. The programs are:
Water Efficiency and Conservation Grant Program
- Authorizes $25 million per year for grants to entities (state, local, tribal governments, as well as water and energy utilities and nonprofits) that carry out water efficiency programs for purchase, installation, or use of efficient fixtures, appliances, and landscaping
- Directs 50 percent of grants to entities that experienced drought conditions designated as D2 (severe drought), or were under a Governor-declared drought emergency, within three years preceding grant award
- Requires at least 40 percent of funds to go towards low-income households and disadvantaged communities, aligned with President Biden’s Justice40 initiative.
Sustainable Water Loss Control Program
- Authorizes $20 million per year for grants and technical assistance to public water systems to conduct an annual audit and establish a water loss control program
Grants for Water Efficient Plumbing Code Adoption
- Authorizes $20 million per year for grants to states, tribal governments, and units of local government with authority to adopt plumbing codes that meet or exceed U.S. and international water use efficiency standards
The Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022 is endorsed by the Alliance for Water Efficiency, Natural Resources Defense Council, International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials, Association of California Water Agencies, and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.
For a one pager of the bill, click here.
For full text of the bill, click here.
Source: U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
