Even if water users understand the need for water conservation and know that they should be using more efficient technology inside, more water-conserving landscaping, and fewer, more efficient irrigation systems, the cost and/or the effort associated with obtaining replacements for their existing materials may be enough to prevent or delay them from doing so.  To reduce the burden on the consumer, municipalities or water utilities can offer rebates, vouchers, or can provide the materials themselves.  This reduces the customer’s investment by paying all or some of the costs of the products, and can make the products easier to acquire, either by providing them directly or by increasing the demand and giving vendors more cause to sell those products.  Because these programs require active participation by customers, advertising and public education are critical to their success.  The US EPA has a new “WaterSense” labeling program for water-efficient products, similar to the Energy Star program. 

18.a    Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards should regularly update the State Plumbing Code to account for efficiency advances

18.b    Water utilities should implement and expand rebate and voucher programs

18.c    Water utilities should explore the use of fees & discount systems

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