Sec. 01.01.2001.06. Water Conservation by State Agencies

A. Water Conservation Goal.

(1) State agencies, through water conservation measures, shall reduce water consumption by at least seven percent (7%) by the year 2003, at least eight percent (8%) by the year 2005, at least nine percent (9%) by the year 2007, and at least ten percent (10%) by the year 2010, relative to baseline water use in the year 2000.

(2) For the purposes of this Executive Order, water conservation measures will apply to facilities owned, leased or managed by any State agency. This Executive Order does not apply to water production and supply functions.

B. Water Use Audit.

(1) A water use audit, which is a measurement and accounting of the amount of water conveyed through the water distribution system to water users, shall be conducted annually at all State owned or leased facilities by the State agency responsible for the lease or maintenance of the facility. Additionally, the audit will inventory all water fixtures and other water use devices to determine which are inefficient and the results shall be reported to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) by July 1, 2001.

(2) During the water use audit, the State agency shall also identify any water conservation measures for immediate implementation.

C. Water Conservation Plan.

(1) Each State agency responsible for the lease or maintenance of a facility shall immediately designate a water conservation coordinator who is responsible for the annual development and implementation of the agency's water use audit and water conservation plan. An agency coordinator may further designate coordinators for each facility, who will ensure that all aspects of the plan are appropriately implemented. Each responsible State agency will complete and submit to MDE a water conservation plan by October 1, 2001. A water conservation plan shall include the following fundamental elements and explain how each element is to be implemented:

(a) An annual water audit: The use of flow meters or other methods to routinely account for water use shall be used to demonstrate that the water use reduction goals are achieved and that inefficient water fixtures and water use devices are being eliminated; and

(b) Identify and select specific water conservation measures that need to be employed to improve water management and water use efficiency to achieve the water conservation goal of this Executive Order.

(2) Additionally, each responsible State agency shall address the following measures in its water conservation plan:

(a) The purchase of water-efficient plumbing fixtures, appliances and other products when new or replacement products are needed;

(b) The timely detection and repair of leaks in distribution lines and plumbing fixtures;

(c) Wastewater reclamation and recycling of water for nonpotable applications;

(d) Management of system pressure so as to reduce usage;

(e) Retrofit programs and fixture replacement; and

(f) Installation of efficient landscape design and irrigation techniques.

(3) All leases, beginning in FY02, by any State agency shall include water conservation measures as a term of the lease.

D. Water Conservation Education.

In support of the goal to reduce water consumption, all agencies will conduct an information and education program for both public and staff users designed to promote increased efficiency of water use at State facilities to be completed on or before December 1, 2001. The information and education program shall use visual displays, distribution of written material, dissemination of information through existing employee communications and other appropriate mans to raise employee and citizen user awareness of the importance of water conservation.

E. Water Conservation Reporting.

(1) On December 1, 2001, and every year thereafter, each responsible State agency shall report to the Maryland Green Buildings Council and MDE in a format provided by the Department on measures taken to reduce water use at each of its State-owned and State-leased facilities. The reports should include results from the water use audit and steps outlined in the water conservation plan.

(2) The agency reports shall be reviewed to ensure that the most appropriate water conservation measures are implemented. The Green Buildings Council, in consultation with MDE, shall determine and approve appropriate water conservation measures. The Green Buildings Council, in consultation with MDE, will annually reevaluate the water conservation goal contained in Section A above, and may waive water conservation requirements where an agency is able to demonstrate that water conservation has been optimized and further reductions are not structurally feasible.

(3) Each year the Maryland Green Buildings Council and MDE shall submit a report to the Governor regarding the effectiveness of State agencies' water conservation measures in meeting the overall water use reduction goals.

Effective date: May 17, 2001 (28:12 Md. R. 1099)