November 29, 2017
Texas has an epic story to tell about water conservation
Thanks to strategies like water conservation, Texas cities are using 21% less water than they were in 2000....
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Author: Jennifer Walker
September 7, 2017
Texas utilities, it’s time to put together your SWIFT plan
When it comes to cutting unnecessary water use, utilities can play a major leadership role – that’s why it’s a big deal that Texas water utilities have begun using the State Water Implementation Fund (SWIFT) to invest in conservation, for projects big and small. Water conservation is necessary to make sure Texas has enough water, now and into the future. If your utility is investing in water efficiency in a big way, using SWIFT’s low-interest loans can save money. Depending on the scale of the project, the reduced interest rates available through SWIFT can save significant money for both the utility and ratepayers. SWIFT savings City of Bedford saved $11 million on their $90 million...
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August 15, 2017
For proactive drought response, we need to stop ignoring actual drought
High temperatures and high pressure cells are returning to many parts of Texas, where they are projected to stay around for a while. As these weather conditions quash any chance of precipitation and usher in our typical triple-digit summer days, intensifying the evaporation from our lakes and rivers, we need to be ready for drought. Drought is an undeniable part of life in Texas and impacts many facets of life, including water supplies. Even though drought is no stranger to Texas, we still have work to do when it comes to proactively protecting our rivers and water supplies. If we want to be ready to conserve water and make it safely and efficiently through...
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December 18, 2015
Water Efficiency Networks: Regional Cooperation and Success on Water Conservation
Effective water conservation measures shouldn’t stop at jurisdictional boundaries such as city or county lines and knowledge shouldn’t either. This is the foundation of the Water Efficiency Networks in Central Texas and the Gulf Coast region. What is a Water Efficiency Network? A Water Efficiency Network (WEN) is a group of water providers and water conservation advocates that meet monthly with the purpose of learning about the latest conservation tools being used locally and globally and to openly and actively share information with peers about efficiency education, legislation, programs, and technologies. The goal is to share information, learn from each other and to regionally have an impact on water supplies and use. At these...
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October 28, 2014
Financing Sustainable Water: Tools for Solving the Revenue/Conservation Paradox
There are many reasons to get excited about water conservation. However, one big question that water utilities often confront is how can a utility sustain itself financially if it encourages its customers to buy less of its product? Solutions to this challenge don’t lend themselves to quick and easy explanations, which is why the Texas Living Waters Project, in conjunction with Texas Water Foundation and the Alliance for Water Efficiency, is hosting one-day seminars in both Houston and Dallas. The seminars are designed to provide information utilities need to navigate the challenges of revenue volatility, scarce supply, variable weather, and declining demand. Water resource professionals, and water conservation advocates willing to embrace the details, will...
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