The Solution to Overloaded Water Infrastructure? Urban Conservation

Cities and suburbs face billions of dollars in investments and repairs to comply with Clean Water Act standards. The NRDC outlines some of the urban water conservation methods municipalities can take to reduce stress on these infrastructure systems.

1 minute read

August 13, 2014, 9:00 AM PDT

By Maayan Dembo @DJ_Mayjahn


Despite decades of under-investing, cities and suburbs are still held responsible for billions of dollars towards maintaining and improving infrastructure in compliance with the Clean Water Act. For many municipalities, it is a balancing game between keeping up with increasing water demand due to growing populations, and maintaining water supply through sewage treatment and stormwater controls. With looming climate change and extreme weather conditions, agencies are faced with an immense challenge.

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council advances treatments to lower water demand through various programs and policies, which in turn would "also have the potential to improve efficiency of certain wastewater treatment processes at existing facilities, [and yield] lower operating costs and extended equipment replacement periods."

A few methods are outlined in the report, such as "promoting or mandating the use of water efficient fixtures, appliances, and landscapes, as well as graywater and blackwater reuse systems", as well as "improved metering, volumetric billing, and conservation pricing, for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater." Another suggestion is to install cisterns and rain barrel through incentives or rebates to capture rainwater and limit discharge of stormwater run off.

The report outlines best practices from different municipalities, and recommends policy changes/ resources cities and suburbs can take advantage of to uphold Clean Water Act regulations.

Monday, June 30, 2014 in The Natural Resources Defense Council

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business