National Water Efficiency Policy, Funding, and Legislation

American Rivers is working at the national level to advance water supply and water efficiency legislation, policy and funding.  Whether it is the Bureau of Reclamation’s western water delivery systems or a water infrastructure bank, the policy, funding or legislation should support the wise use of scarce clean water resources.

• American Rivers is working to ensure that the State Revolving Fund Green Project Reserve hits the ground with the most impact. While water efficiency projects have been eligible for federal Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund support since their creation, neither had been used for water efficiency purposes.  The Green Project Reserve provided the incentive needed to encourage utilities to pursue water efficiency projects.  

• American Rivers is also working to protect rivers from unnecessary water supply dams.  Based loosely on American Rivers’ Hidden Reservoir report, EPA Region 4 issued new guidelines on water efficiency to more clearly delineate the water efficiency best management practices that must be examined and/or implemented prior to EPA’s review of a 404 permit request.  EPA is piloting these guidelines on the Little River Reservoir in Raleigh, NC.  

• American Rivers is working to promote creative financing for sustainable water resources. 

• American Rivers was the only environmental non-profit to serve on the steering committee that formed the WaterSense program back in 2006. Now, it is critical that EPA’s WaterSense program (modeled off of the very successful EnergyStar program) becomes a strong and permanent program of the agency. American Rivers is working with Congress to pass legislation authorizing the program and providing a dedicated channel for federal funding to implement this voluntary incentive based program.