Innovative water conservation supports sustainable housing development

The water industry is facing challenges related to growing populations and fixed water supplies. Innovative ways to allow continuing development while creating efficient, sustainable communities is a key goal. A partnership between a private builder in California and the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, California, is one example of such innovation. The authors demonstrate how to create a sustainable development with no net water supply increase. This information is applicable to any community that is or will be experiencing water shortages in the future and will be a model for other developers and water utilities in water‐scarce areas to follow for several reasons: water supply shortages create opportunities for innovation; water savings in the range of 20‐30% are possible for onsite reductions; offsite mitigation is possible where significant conservation potential exists within current service areas; and, creating a zero footprint for new development is one way to enhance the goal of sustainability.