Metro Basin Round Table
As a member of the Metro Round Table, Great Western Institute provides technical support and input into the Statewide policy dialogue regarding new water development, water supply, and overall water resources management.
Statewide Water Supply Initiative Levels Analyses
As a member of the WCTAG, Great Western Institute provides technical and policy support to the creation and implementation of State legislation effecting water policy and overall water use efficiency. Great Western Institute is particularly focused on providing technical support based on the breadth of water conservation planning and implementation projects that it has performed in all corners of the State; and the various databases that it maintains as a result of these projects including:
- Costs and benefits for various water efficiency measures and programs, including water and energy savings at the customer and utility level
- Relative effectiveness and market penetration of selected water conservation measures and programs
- Overall acceptance and popularity of utility supported water conservation measures and programs, as well as the effectiveness of those measures and programs
Statewide Water Supply Initiative Levels Analyses
Recently, Great Western Institute has developed a number of research documents which have been used to support and inform Statewide water policy discussions and programs. The work that Great Wester Institute has been performing includes research regarding local, regional and statewide water conservation planning, impacts of federal and other state regulations on local water conservation and future water demand reductions, and that future impact of technology improvements on future water demands (independant of utility-based water conservation programs). The specific outcomes of Great Western Institute's researacg include:
- Quantifying future water demand reductions associated with "passive savings" created by indoor water use efficiencies implemented by individual residential and commercial water customers./li>
- Tracking the dollars spent and the predicted water demand reductions utilities are supporting at the local level.
- Developing a new framework to assist water utilities in planning for and implementing focused, meaningful water conservation programs (with particular emphasis on metering and rates; management of water loss; and data collection and assessment.