What the Water Efficiency Rule Means for Water Conservation

In an era of growing populations, changing climate patterns, and increased demand on natural resources, using water wisely isn’t just smart—it’s essential. That’s why Washington State’s Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Rule plays a critical role in ensuring communities like Spanaway have access to reliable, safe drinking water now and into the future.

What Is the Water Efficiency Rule?

In 2003, the Washington State Legislature passed the Municipal Water Law (MWL) Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1338, requiring the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to develop water conservation regulations for municipal water suppliers. The result was the Water Use Efficiency Rule, which became enforceable in 2007.

This rule applies to all municipal water suppliers (MWS), including the Spanaway Water Company, because we serve more than 15 residential connections and are classified as a public water system.
The WUE Rule was designed to strike a balance: water systems gain long-term water rights and planning flexibility in exchange for proactive conservation efforts.

Why It Matters

Water conservation is not just about saving water—it’s about safeguarding public health, protecting natural ecosystems, and reducing long-term costs. The WUE Rule helps water systems:

• Ensure long-term water reliability
• Minimize water loss from leaks or inefficient infrastructure
• Avoid temporary disruptions during high-demand periods
• Reduce costs by delaying or eliminating the need for expensive new water sources

As the Washington DOH explains, conserving water can be the least costly new supply, especially when compared to drilling new wells or building treatment facilities.

What It Requires

To comply with the Water Efficiency Rule, Spanaway Water Company is required to:

• Track detailed data on historical and current water use
• Forecast future demand and water use by customer type
• Evaluate and implement at least six conservation measures
• Set conservation goals through a public process
• Develop a Water Use Efficiency Program and report annually to the public and DOH
• Control water loss—if more than 10% of our water is unaccounted for, we must implement a Water Loss Control Action Plan with funding and timelines

These measures aren’t just a box to check—they’re designed to keep our system resilient in the face of drought, population growth, and increasing environmental pressures.

What This Means for You

Every Spanaway customer plays a role in our conservation efforts. Whether it’s installing water-efficient appliances, fixing household leaks, or staying informed through our annual reports, small actions make a big impact. We encourage all customers to take part in our upcoming conservation goal-setting meetings and share feedback.

Want to learn more? Visit the Washington DOH Water Use Efficiency homepage for more resources and guidance.