Water Use Efficiency Program

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Miami-Dade County is the largest County in the State of Florida. Its Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is the fifth largest public water utility in the nation, bringing with it an immense responsibility and deep commitment to protecting the area’s unique natural resources. In 2006, the County Board of Commissioners adopted the Miami-Dade County Water-Use Efficiency Plan as part of the effort to improve the management of traditional water supplies while encouraging the development of alternative water supplies and improving the efficiency of the County’s current water use. Serving a population of more than 2.4 million people through both retail and wholesale customers, WASD anticipated water savings through the implementation of this plan is 19.8 million gallons a day by 2026. With an investment of one million dollars annually in the WUEP, the demand for water has been reduced by 40 million gallons per day and daily per capita from 155 to 140 gallons. In a County where many of its residents come from other countries and speak languages other than English, the phenomenal success of the program has been documented in both quantified water and energy savings and deferred capital expenditures; these savings benefit both the environment and WASD’s current and future customers.