Water Conservation in Virginia

Luke Heinsohn Tim Werner

Code of Virginia: Article 62.1-44.38F “In addition to the preparation of plans called for in subsection A of this section, the Board, upon written request of a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, shall provide water supply planning assistance to such political subdivision, to include assistance in preparing drought management strategies, water conservation programs, evaluation of alternative water sources, state enabling legislation to facilitate a specific situation, applications for federal grants or permits, or other such planning activities to facilitate intergovernmental cooperation and coordination.”

Code of Virginia: 62.1-44.36“In formulating the Commonwealth's water resources policy, the Board shall, among other things, take into consideration but not be limited to the following principles and policies: …2) Adequate and safe supplies should be preserved and protected for human consumption, while conserving maximum supplies for other beneficial uses. When proposed uses of water are in mutually exclusive conflict or when available supplies of water are insufficient for all who desire to use them, preference shall be given to human consumption purposes over all other uses…”

Virginia Water UseCategory Average MGD

2006-10 (rounded)

2010 MGD (rounded)

% Change (2010 from

Average)Agriculture 22 23 8%Commercial 15 14 -7%Irrigation 30 33 12%Manufacturing

471 446 -5%

Mining 20 22 6%Public Water Supply

772 900 16%

From the Department of Environmental Quality’s Annual Report on Virginia Water Resource Management Activities

2010 Total Water Withdrawals (1,257 MGD)

59%

35%

1% 2% 2% 1%

Public Water SupplyManufacturingMiningIrrigationAgricultureCommercial

From the Department of Environmental Quality’s Annual Report on Virginia Water Resource Management Activities

Manufacturing35% of Virginia’s Total 2010WithdrawalsDecreased 5% from the 2006-2010 average (MGD)

ManufacturingRecycle/ReuseNano filtration

Images taken from Siemens Water Technology Corporation and fumatech

Public Water Supply59% of Virginia’s Total 2010 WithdrawalsIncreased 16% from 2006-2010 average (MGD)

Public Water SupplySeparate Potable and Non-potable water

sourcesGraywaterRetrofitting Appliances

Low flow water utilitiesLeak detection

Low impact development

ConclusionsMain Conflict

Lack of AwarenessResolution

Increased regulation on current and future water development

Amend the Code of Virginia

“The next step is mitigating concerns through education regarding household changes that conserve water”

- Dr. Peter Defur

Works CitedCommonwealth of Virginia: Department of Environmental Quality. (2011). Status of Virginia’s Water Resources: A Report on Virginia’s Water Resources Management Activities. Richmond, VA: David K. Paylor.

Defur, Dr. Peter and Emily Russell and Laura Williams. A Survey of Sustainable Water Supplies in Virginia’s Lower Peninsula. Environmental Stewardship Concepts. Richmond, VA: 2009.

Siemens AG. (2011). Top 5 Tips to Reduce Your Manufacturing Water Footprint. Retrieved from http://www.water.siemens.com/en/about_us/Pages/5_tips_industrial_water_footprint.aspx

Siemens Water Technologies Corp. (2009) Medical Device Manufacturer Incorporates New Technologies to Expand Production and Reduce Water Consumption. Retrieved from http://www.water.siemens.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Industries/Biopharmaceutical/Brochures/Pharma_Reuse_CaseStudy.pdf

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Water Recycling and Reuse: The Environmental Benefits. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/recycling/

ImagesFumaTech.comSiemens Water Technologies CorporationCommonwealth of Virginia DEQ