Section 10-A609. E-2.1 CONSERVING WATER

 

609.1The District is dependent on the Potomac River for its drinking water. In most years, there is ample rainfall in the Potomac Basin to meet the city’s needs, but a plentiful supply is not always guaranteed. With competing demands for land and water in the watershed during the next 20 years, the District cannot afford to overlook opportunities for conservation. Simple measures can go a long way toward reducing the need for costly improvements to the water supply system. More significant improvements to the distribution system are also needed-for example, to reduce leaks and correct faulty meters. 609.1

 

609.2The DC Water and Sewer Authority encourages customers to use water wisely and has a number of programs aimed at changing consumer behavior and improving service reliability. Looking to the future, a sustained effort by DC-WASA and other District agencies will be necessary to reduce water waste and maximize conservation. 609.2

 

See the Infrastructure Element for more information on water supply.

 

609.3Policy E-2.1.1: Promoting Water Conservation

 

Promote the efficient use of existing water supplies through a variety of water conservation measures, including the use of plumbing fixtures designed for water efficiency, drought-tolerant landscaping, and irrigation systems designed to conserve water. 609.3

 

609.4Action E-2.1.A: Leak Detection and Repair Program

 

Continue DC-WASA efforts to reduce water loss from leaking mains, including reducing the backlog of deferred maintenance, using audits and monitoring equipment to identify leaks, performing expeditious repair of leaks, and instructing customers on procedures for detecting and reporting leaks. 609.4

 

609.5Action E-2.1.B: Building Code Review

 

Continue efforts by the DC Building Code Advisory Committee to review building, plumbing, and landscaping standards and codes in order to identify possible new water conservation measures. 609.5

 

609.6Action E-2.1.C: Water Conservation Education

 

Work collaboratively with DC-WASA to promote greater awareness of the need for water conservation, and to achieve a reduction in the daily per capita consumption of water resources. Special efforts should be made to reach low income customers and institutional users. At least once a year, each customer should receive printed or electronic information on efficient water use practices, costs associated with leaking fixtures, benefits associated with conversation, and guidelines for installing water-saving plumbing devices. 609.6

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.