AWWA SOURCES59223

The City of Albuquerque has in place a comprehensive water conservation program with the goal of reducing per capita daily consumption 40 percent by 2014. Since 1994, Albuquerque has reduced its per capita water use by over 26 percent. One of the programs offered to water customers is public education in the form of free audits. Both Residential and Industrial/Commercial/Institutional (ICI) audits are provided. The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of the ICI audit program and to report findings on potential savings in six groups of ICI facilities. The ICI facility is visited by an auditor to assess water use patterns and to inventory water-using fixtures and equipment. The audit includes a comprehensive evaluation of indoor water use and outdoor water use. Water use data from the facility visit is then compiled and used to develop a water balance. The water balance is a comparison of a water use estimate from the field visit to metered water use. In addition, as part of the water balance, water use is broken down by category (e.g. restroom use, kitchen use, irrigation). The water balance is the basis for establishing potential water conservation goals at the facility. Following the water balance, water conservation measures are identified and potential water savings are calculated. In the five years of the ICI audit program, 165 ICI audits have been completed. Data from 72 ICI facilities in Albuquerque, NM, were compiled and trends in water conservation opportunities were identified. Most of the potential water savings can be found by replacing toilets and urinals and by reducing the amount of water applied to the landscape. Facilities with high water use toilets can typically save 30 percent or more. Even facilities that were built after 1992 can save 20 percent by reducing wasteful irrigation. We have found that most ICI facilities are interested in saving water and helping the City of Albuquerque meet its conservation goals. However, often times it is difficult for them to find the financial resources to implement water conservation measures. The information given in the audit report helps facility managers justify and budget for changes and upgrades. The payback of the water conservation improvements ranges from less than a year to around 10 years. As part of the audit, a comprehensive report is given to the facility with charts and graphs that detail water use by category, potential for reduction by altering or changing fixtures or practices, and estimated payback periods for each of the recommended measures based on water and sewer commodity costs. Includes 4 references, table, figures, appendix.