Water Conservation Goals and Measures

As a municipal water supplier, the City of Bellingham complies with state water use efficiency requirements that ensure safe, reliable drinking water supplies far into the future. In 2008 the City set goals and measures to direct water conservation efforts through 2014.

Goals

Maintain city-wide water consumption at an average of 105 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) for residential use, and 77 gpcd for non-residential use for the next six years.
Keep city-wide water demand equal to, or below, city population growth rate for the next six years.

Measures

The City is developing and implementing the following nine measures in order to achieve its comprehensive water conservation goals.

Education and outreach

Develop and implement water conservation education program
Continue existing public outreach measures
Develop future water rate structure with an emphasis on water conservation

Indoor water conservation

Toilet retrofit program for single-family residence water utility customers
Toilet retrofit program for multi-family residence water utility customers
Toilet retrofit program for commercial water utility customers
Evaluate and develop high-efficiency fixture program

Outdoor water conservation

Lawn watering door-hanger campaign
Upgrade City parks to high-efficiency irrigation systems

Reports

The complete 2008 Water Use Efficiency Program (PDF) contains more detailed information about City water consumption and data efforts.

The City’s Water Use Efficiency Annual Report includes information about water production, water loss and progress made toward achieving water saving goals for the year.

City Council adopted Legacies and Strategic Commitments (PDF) promotes water conservation.

More Information

Please contact the Operations Division of the Public Works Department if you would like more information about Water Conservation.