When most people hear these two terms – water conservation and water efficiency - they assume they mean the same thing.
But that is not correct. While both refer to reducing water consumption, each one reflects an entirely different approach.
As to water conservation, a noted water conservation expert and author, Amy Vickers, defined it as follows: “Water conservation is the beneficial reduction in water loss, waste, or use.” The goal, according to Vickers, is to use just enough water at the moment and as needed when brushing teeth, for instance, or using the dishwasher.
On the other hand, Vickers defines water efficiency as the “minimization of the amount of water used to accomplish a function, task, or result.” It’s long-term, says Vickers, not just for the moment.
Let’s use the dishwasher an example. A family has decided only to use their dishwasher when it is full. By doing so, they are not wasting water by cleaning just a few dishes at a time. This is water conservation, and by the way, a very good practice.
However, what if our family selects a new dishwasher that uses a third less water than their current model. Now we are talking about water efficiency. Water efficiency relies on well-engineered products and fixtures like dishwashers that use reduced quantities of water. It can also apply to fixtures such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, all of which use less water over the long term.
Further, when it comes to water efficiency, we should also add waterless urinals to the list of efficient products and fixtures. This is because waterless urinals are engineered to work effectively using no water at all. That is the ultimate in water efficiency.
Along with long-term water reduction, one of the significant benefits of water efficiency is lowered water costs. This is because water use and water costs are closely interconnected.
Each year, water costs are increasing in residential and commercial facilities. Since 2010, water-related costs have gone up more than thirty percent. And now, with inflation, they are expected the go up even faster in many parts of the country in a relatively short time.
This means that water rates in the country will likely double before we know it. This will have the most impact on those not taking steps now to install water-efficient toilets, urinals, and other water-using devices.
But there is one more thing we need to keep in mind, and this is becoming a growing concern. Using our dishwasher example once again, let’s say that because our family knows they are using so much less water by selecting a water efficient dishwasher, they stop limiting their use of the machine to only those times when they wash a full load. After all, the new dishwasher uses a third less water than the old one, so what’s the big concern?
Here’s the problem with this thinking. While it’s true the new dishwasher uses less water per use, by using it more frequently, over the long term we may actually be using more water than we were using before. We’ve tossed all our water use responsibility out the window.
This is known as the rebound effect, and it is all too common. We find this happing when we are trying to reduce consumption, not only of water, but other natural resources.
What we need to remember is this: always have a conservation mindset. Whenever we can use less of any resource, in this case water, and still meet our needs, it’s better for the planet, protects natural resources, and saves money too.
Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, Vista, Calif. Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues. He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com.
