According to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Utah Division of Water Resources, up to 60% of residential water use is applied to outdoor landscapes, particularly in the arid environments of the western United States. Some experts estimate that as much as 50% of that outdoor water use is not used efficiently due to evaporation, runoff, or irrigation methods. Water conservation can be realized by decreasing water use and increasing water use efficiency.
WaterMAPS™ is a custom water management software program that was developed by an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Utah State University for the purpose of promoting urban landscape water conservation. WaterMAPS™ assesses urban properties at a parcel level and identifies those that have the greatest capacity to conserve water.
WaterMAPS™ was developed as an analytic and public information program to assist municipalities, water districts, program managers, and property owners in understanding patterns of landscape water use and landscape water need. The information provided by the program can assist water suppliers by guiding conservation programming and water planning and policy decisions.
Assess:
WaterMAPS™ identifies parcels with the greatest capacity to conserve water. This assessment helps water managers to:- Diagnose urban landscape water conservation potential
- Direct and customize water conservation programs at specific locations
- Promote greater efficiency in urban landscape water use
Deliver:
WaterMAPS™ can generate water use reports for individual properties that summarize and interpret their landscape water use. This information can support water managers and users to:- Understand landscape water need in relation to weather data
- Monitor water use and progress toward conservation goals
- Make water wise landscaping plans and decisions
Track:
WaterMAPS™ enables water managers to track and analyze changes in landscape water use over time and in relation to weather patterns. This tracking function assists water managers to:- Evaluate conservation program effectiveness and outcomes
- Encourage long-term water conservation through consistent and repeated messaging
- Prepare for droughts and adapt to water scarcity