A visual representation of critical opportunities in water conservation, efficiency, and supply is available from green-building and water-conservation consultant Jerry Yudelson.
“Pyramid of New Water Sources” organizes 10 opportunities for extending urban water supplies heading into a hotter and drier future:
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Changing behavior via such measures as public education, effective water pricing, water audits, and Web-based information.
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Low-cost/no-cost measures, such as fixing leaks and retrofitting fixtures.
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Irrigation measures, including native plantings and drip irrigation, along with smart irrigation controllers.
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Hygiene, such as water-free urinals and high-efficiency toilets.
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Water-conserving appliances, such as dishwashers, water softeners, and clothes washers.
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“Extreme makeovers” that include composting (no-water) toilets, hardscape (unplanted) landscaping, and on-site blackwater treatment and reuse.
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Water heating, including hot-water recirculation loops, efficient water heaters, and solar water heaters.
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On-site reuse, including rainwater and graywater collection and reuse for irrigation.
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Off-site reuse using reclaimed water from “purple pipe” systems and “sewer mining” (treating sewage already flowing in pipes).
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Desalination of seawater and brackish water and new water sources, such as potable water created through reverse-osmosis treatment of reclaimed sewage.
The founder and president of Yudelson Associates, Yudelson is the author of 12 green-building books, including “Dry Run: Preventing the Next Urban Water Crisis.”