Water: A Balancing Act

Two-thirds of Earth is water—yet its increasingly limited availability will make future construction efforts even more challenging.

Dr. Nathan W. Snyder may have said it best: “Water is the most basic of all resources. Civilizations grew or withered depending on its availability.” 

That statement, made by Snyder when he was an environmental engineer for The Parsons Company, has been quoted numerous times over the decades—probably because it’s true.

Water has become the most pressing issue of our time. If you’re in the building industry, you know its importance: Simply put, if there is no water, there is no interest in homebuying. No homebuying, no homebuilding. No homebuilding, no business.

Mother Nature, with its gift of multi-year droughts, has been a tough-enough challenge for the construction industry to overcome. But rapidly changing water-related codes, mandates, programs and pricing will continue to place new demands on the building sector, impacting every home and building.

Green Builder Media’s consumer survey places security above all other reasons for investing in any water-related technology. Totals shown are the numbers of responses gathered from January to August 2019. Source: COGNITION Smart Data

Green Builder Media and COGNITION Smart Data have studied the problem and discovered numerous issues. Here’s some of what was found.

There’s not enough to go around—and what’s there isn’t always useful.

Due to the combination of increased water consumption, climate change, pollution, poor infrastructure, and weak governance, nearly two-thirds of the global population lives in water-stressed areas, making the need for innovative water solutions dire.

According to the United Nations, humans withdraw about 4,000 cubic kilometers of water globally every year (approximately the volume of all the water in Lake Michigan)—triple what we withdrew 50 years ago. Water consumption continues to increase at an annual rate of about 1.6 percent.

Within the U.S., demand for water is exploding as our population swells, especially in water-parched areas like the Southwest and West. By 2030, experts predict more than 100 percent growth in states like Nevada and Arizona, 60 percent in Texas, and upwards of 30 percent in California and Colorado. Many states throughout the nation are exploring stringent policies, programs and pricing to proactively solve for the water predicament.

Like most countries across the globe, the U.S. isn’t just struggling with water quantity, but quality as well. Dilapidated infrastructure and agricultural practices have deposited toxins into drinking water supplies throughout the nation, resulting in widespread water pollution (the U.S. is currently listed 64th on the World Health Organization’s global drinking water quality assessment.)

Water’s use is becoming even more regulated

Within the building sector, water has the potential to become the No. 1 limiting factor to growth. Water quality and quantity concerns will increasingly affect the way we address the built environment, and will force sweeping changes to codes, mandates, programs and pricing. 

Across the country, builders and developers will soon be required to create water plans for building projects, taking into consideration water challenges as determined by climate change, extreme weather events, ecosystem impacts, and local governance. Some municipalities have already implemented offset programs that require builders to show net-zero demand on aggregate water resources in order to receive a permit.

Interestingly, when asked about the global risks of highest concern, nearly 40 percent of consumers cited water crises—ranking higher than the failure of climate change mitigation and adaption (36 percent), extreme weather events (26 percent), food crises (25 percent), and profound social instability (23 percent).

Consumers want even greener, smarter water

When analyzing water-related purchase drivers, security topped the list, followed by energy efficiency (proving that consumers understand the nexus between energy and water), sustainability, comfort and wellness. Do-it-yourself (DIY) consumers are the most active with respect to water content on the web and social media.

The hottest innovation in the water space: leak detection and water monitoring systems, offered by companies like Phyn and Moen, that learn the water footprint of a home and alert homeowners of leaks or irregular usage.

Greywater systems from companies like Greyter that recycle water for interior non-potable use as well as exterior landscaping, along with smart irrigation systems and innovative technologies such as atmospheric generators (that pull water out of the air for fresh water supply), are also gaining market traction. 

Local governments are getting on board—--and getting pricey

States and municipalities are adopting net zero water policies and restructuring water pricing to address water shortages. 
Municipalities and water utilities are also increasing water pricing and tap fees to incentivize conservation. For example, along the Front Range in Colorado, water prices have soared—increasing an astronomical over 400 percent between 2011 and 2018—causing home prices to surge and developments to stall, compelling builders and developers to become extremely creative in how they manage water in their projects. For example, the city of Arvada (near Denver) is no longer supplying water to large residential developments until a new water source is built out.

Codes are transforming too—there are several proposed changes that may be implemented as early as the 2021 code cycle (underway now) that will require enhanced water conservation in all types of homes and buildings.

Expect a ‘zero’ future

With respect to water, the future is certainly zero. There is a definitive business opportunity for building professionals and manufacturers alike to offer innovative solutions that solve for the mushrooming water crisis. 

The curve for net zero water will likely follow that of net zero energy. There will be a growing dependence on water programs, such as Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS), the HERS_H2O Index, and the Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE•Stand) that offer performance- and prescriptive-based approaches to residential water efficiency. These programs are now being incorporated into codes, standards and even financial incentives.

No doubt, water pressures will require enhanced situational awareness, accurate water assessments, water risk mitigation, and ongoing monitoring and management. But for innovative building professionals and manufacturers, there is a blossoming opportunity to provide creative water technologies and solutions that proactively address water quality and quantity.