Institutional Structures and Management

According to the International Water Management Institute, institutions evolve depending on the nature of water resource issues that a river basin faces and, in that sense, are not static systems but adaptive and dynamic systems. IWRM’s potential contribution to increasing water productivity lies in its ability to approach natural resource management problems in an integrated fashion. Resources available in this sub-theme include models and evaluations of water management systems, examples of institutional frameworks and others that support managing integrated water resources.

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Institutional Structures and Management Resources

Alternate Water Supply

Alliance for Water Efficiency
One way to reduce treated water demand is to substitute an alternate water supply for an existing demand. Using stored rainwater to irrigate plants is an example of this concept. This page offers information on various alternate water supply options like blow-down water, condensate water, graywater...Read more

Schools and Universities Introduction to Water

Alliance for Water Efficiency
Implementing water conservation at schools,colleges, and universities offers two-fold benefits; water is saved at the facility, and the students receive practical education and experience on the merits of water conservation. While the savings potential is huge, implementation is sometimes impeded...Read more

Water Audit Cases Studies - The Emerging Use of Water Audits in the United States Water Utility Sector

Alliance for Water Efficiency
Historically, the water auditing process has been used inconsistently and sporadically in North America. With the creation of the AWWA/IWA Water Audit Methodology and corresponding outreach by water utilities this trend is changing.� State and regional regulatory agencies in the United States have...Read more

Schools K - 12 Introduction to Water

Alliance for Water Efficiency
Implementing water conservation in schools offers two-fold benefits; water is saved at the facility, and the students receive practical education and experience on the merits of water conservation. The high person/fixture ratio results in very high frequency of use leading to a very fast payback on...Read more

Supermarkets Introduction to Water

Alliance for Water Efficiency
Supermarkets have all the water uses of typical retail outlets, such as sanitary fixtures and landscape irrigation, plus much more. Supermarkets possess certain specialized water uses that provide large water conservation opportunities. The most notable is the water used to cool the condensers...Read more

AWE-ACEEE Water and Energy Research Work Group

Alliance for Water Efficiency
As an extension of the�Blueprint for Action, a joint project of the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) and American�Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the Alliance for Water Efficiency assembled a working group to explore ongoing and prospective research regarding the water-energy...Read more

Water Loss Control - Productivity and Efficiency in the Water Utility Sector

With water resources'increasingly stressed due to climate change and growing populations, water utilities must become water-efficient throughout the entire supply process.' By employing improved methods of water auditing and loss control, water utilities have potential to reduce the large...Read more

Commercial Laundry Facilities Introduction

Alliance for Water Efficiency
Commercial, institutional and industrial (CII) laundry facilities clean large quantities of fabrics in a wide range of varieties and uses.� Some are on-site facilities dedicated to washing fabrics used at the location; these are often referred to as an On Premises Laundry (OPL). OPLs are typically...Read more

Water Loss Control - What Can Be Done?

Alliance for Water Efficiency
Water utilities can control losses in their operations by compiling an annual water audit of their supply operations, and by implementing programs to identify and contain inefficiencies. Such programs include leakage management, meter testing and enforcement against unauthorized consumption of...Read more

Government Buildings and Public Facilities Introduction to Water Saving

Alliance for Water Efficiency
There are numerous water saving measures and retrofits available for government facilities. The water use profile often leads to short payback periods, and the facilities are usually a significant portion of a utility's institutional sector water use. The greatest impediment to achieving water...Read more

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