Goal based water conservation projections based on historical water use data and trends in Miami-Dade County

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (MDWASD) initiated a series of water conservation programs by implementing best management practices (BMPs) to respond the increasing water demand. The BMPs selected by MDWASD include high efficiency showerheads, toilets and clothes washers. The program has made significant impacts on water conservation in South Florida. The impacts are evinced by the water use trends as well as water consumption records of water conservation program participants who have made changes in their water use habits. Projections for water savings specific to different water conservation goals are presented in this study. The water conservation goals were defined as percentage savings per year, estimated water conservation quantities in daily water demand and targeted per capita water use to achieve desired water conservation goals. The appropriate water conservation rate is projected to be 1–2 million gallons per day (MGD) through 2030. With 2 MGD of water savings, the estimated per capita water use (GPCD) can be reduced from approximately 140–122 GPCD. Additional efforts are need reduce the water demand to US EPA's “water sense” conservation levels of 70 GPCD by 2030.