AWE and our partner organizations are preparing for the possibility, if not the likelihood, that the incoming Trump administration will attempt to weaken federal water efficiency initiatives. It is too early to know with certainty, but federal water and energy efficiency standards are likely to be in the crosshairs.   

During his first term, President Trump’s Department of Energy adopted weakened standards for shower heads and appliances like dishwashers and clothes washers. President Biden reversed direction and took steps to improve efficiency standards further, but the standards continue to work through the rulemaking process and be litigated in the courts. On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump frequently made unsubstantiated claims about water-efficient fixtures performing poorly, and those claims have gotten traction, with the U.S. House of Representatives passing legislation earlier this year that would block or weaken federal water and energy efficiency product standards. 

These actions are inconsistent with more than 35 years of Congressional support for laws that help lower utility bills for families by ensuring that appliances, plumbing fixtures, and other products are water and energy efficient. Moreover, with improved efficiency, utilities can avoid capital and operating expenditures because they have less water and wastewater to manage. Similarly, private wells and septic systems can be smaller and less expensive because of these efficiency standards.  

As efficiency standards have been gradually strengthened, manufacturers have implemented innovations that enable products to not only meet efficiency standards but also perform at a high level. Critics cite anecdotal reports as evidence that efficiency measures undermine product performance. However, comprehensive product testing by independent laboratories and organizations demonstrates that efficient products generally perform better than older, less efficient models.   

For example, in a February 2024 press release, Consumer Reports referred to new clothes washer and dryer standards as a “win-win for consumers,” noting that “[t]here are washers and dryers available today that already meet these new standards, and they are highly rated for their cleaning and drying performance in our recent testing.”  

Today, families save money, water supplies go further, and the air is cleaner thanks to federal efficiency standards that have resulted in cost-effective product improvements. Given the track record of success, it’s not surprising that the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers supports federal efficiency standards adopted earlier this year and opposed the Trump Administration’s efforts to weaken standards in his first term.  

AWE will also continue to advocate for WaterSense funding. This vital, voluntary program has helped transform the marketplace to include thousands of plumbing and irrigation products that are especially water efficient. We will also support the preservation of funding for Water Smart Grants and water infrastructure included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act.  

Beyond playing defense, AWE will continue our proactive work in DC to pass legislation to eliminate taxation of conservation rebates, create a Plumbing Repair and Efficiency Assistance Program for low-income households, and create a tax credit for WaterSense-labeled homes. Our complete list of policy priorities for the 2025 calendar year is available here.   

With a new presidential administration and Congress taking office in January, AWE remains committed to supporting our members and our mission. Stay updated on AWE's policy activities by visiting the policy page on our website. For questions or comments, contact Andrew Morris, Director of Policy, at andrew@a4we.org. 

- Ron Burke, CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency

Submitted by Ron Burke, President and CEO

Much of North America and the world are grappling with a warmer, drier climate that results in less water being available to meet basic human needs, support businesses, sustain ecosystems, and grow food. The Colorado River Basin, with Lake Mead approaching “dead pool” status, is a conspicuous example of how dramatically the water supply math is changing because of climate change and population growth. But water scarcity is not limited to the southwestern U.S. Scientists warn that much of North America is on pace to experience water shortages if we don’t manage water better.

The situation is daunting, but it could be much worse if not for the forward-thinking and dedication of policymakers and the community of water efficiency and conservation professionals. They have championed strategies like plumbing efficiency standards, water conservation programs, and improved agriculture efficiency methods that have gradually decreased water use even as the population grew significantly. (See Figure 1 below.)

As the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) celebrates its 15th anniversary, I am proud to be AWE’s CEO and to recognize these unsung heroes who work for water utilities, plumbing manufacturers and trades, government agencies, and a variety of businesses. They all come together and collaborate across the AWE network to help communities be resilient with more affordable, sustainable water service that also supports ecosystems and minimizes energy use and carbon emissions from pumping, heating, and treating water.

Figure1:

About Figure 1

The graph above shows that public water supply withdrawals peaked around 2005 and declined roughly 11 percent by 2015, even though the population grew 42 percent. Many cities did even better, with reductions between 25 and 48 percent in the same time frame. This was possible because water use per person declined about 24 percent nationally between 1990 and 2015. The downward trend accelerated after 2005 as federal plumbing efficiency standards, local water conservation programs, the WaterSense and EnergyStar programs, and other measures took root. A similar downward trend was seen in total U.S. water use, accounting for agriculture, thermoelectric generation, industry, and other sources. See Figure 2 below. Note: USGS’ 2020 water use report had not been released when this blog was posted. 

Figure 2:
Source: USGS

Because water was “cheap” and seemingly limitless decades ago, there was often little support for water efficiency and conservation. Even today, water efficiency professionals often swim upstream. Federal funding is prioritized for more expensive supply-side strategies over water efficiency. Moreover, state and local policies can discourage, rather than encourage, water utilities from using less water by restricting how they adjust to lower water sales. Despite these obstacles, water efficiency professionals persevere in the midst of a historically prolonged drought in the western U.S. and seasonal droughts throughout North America, not to mention the important year-round work they do that is unrelated to drought response.

In order to ensure sustainable, affordable water, North America will continue to lean heavily on water efficiency professionals to maintain the trend towards declining per person water use. Policy change and funding is needed to support their efforts, and Congress can help by passing the Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022. Learn more and encourage your elected leaders to co-sponsor the bill.

States play an important role as well, and AWE will release an updated State Water Efficiency and Sustainability Scorecard later this year with grades and recommendations for each state. We’ll have more to say about state policy then, but in the meantime, encourage your governors to fund water efficiency and conservation programs.

The work of water efficiency professionals has never been more challenging or important, but I have “no drought” that we can do this! Share your gratitude on Twitter and use hashtag #WaterEfficiency to recognize innovative water professionals!

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