Water and Wastewater

Water and wastewater treatment is the single most significant GHG emission source for municipal operations. Reduction of water consumption means less energy consumption for municipal operations and results in a reduction of total GHG emissions.

Based on City of La Crosse data, water consumption community-wide decreased an average of 0.65% annually for a total of 8.5% from 2007 to 2020. Though the reported water reduction is significant, there is likely additional water conservation potential. According to the Water Research Foundation, on average, 12-14% of municipal water distribution is lost through leaks in water mains and water pipes on private property. For La Crosse, reducing just 50% of this could represent up to 202 million gallons of water annually.

The recommended actions in the CAP are:

1. Establish progressive conservation-oriented rate structure. Include utility services and capacity support to implement income-based payment plan. Explore lawn irrigation conservation rate structures.
2. Require fixtures certified as very water efficient through the EPA WaterSense program for new construction and renovation for all Municipal buildings and City-funded projects.
3. Establish a program to facilitate reduction of water use by top water customers through an annual opt-in program. Partner with County, State, Federal, and regional water efficiency resources to offer free technical resources to large institutions and businesses to identify specific opportunities for employees or customers to conserve water and incorporate water efficiency into internal operations. Goal: 20 large consumer accounts achieving 10% water reduction annually.
4. Evaluate opportunities for real-time water metering and smart metering to help customers better understand and reduce their water consumption.
5. Promote WaterSense fixture adoption community wide. Accelerate the installation of low-flow water fixtures in residential homes and expand the program to commercial businesses. Goal: achieve 100 households and 10 businesses upgraded annually.
6. Conduct a water conservation campaign challenging participants to reduce water consumption through water use behavior change strategies, irrigation system utilization, and replacement of fixtures like shower heads with WaterSense certified fixtures.
7. Reduce landscaping water use by requiring water-efficient irrigation systems, grass replacement, and planting native and drought-resistant trees and vegetation.
8. Expand water conservation outreach and incentive programs for residents and businesses.

Wastewater GHG emissions were 2,024 metric tons for processing 3,614 billion gallons of water in 2020. This is equal to 85 pounds per person in 2019. Wastewater emissions can be reduced through use of renewable energy for collection and processing needs as well as through strategies addressing biogenic emissions—release of methane through biological processes.

The recommended actions in the CAP are:

1. Require rainwater collection systems and Water Sense water efficient fixtures and appliances at all City facility projects and all projects receiving $50,000 or more in City funding.
2. Install rainwater collection systems at City facilities for grey-water uses, and reuse at existing and new City facilities and properties.
3. Expand the use of grey-water systems and water conservation measures in public and private buildings.
4. Implement grey-water systems identified capable of reducing energy/water demand in other are- as (for example, watering urban tree canopy to reduce heat island effect and air conditioning needs).

According to the US National Climate Assessment, the ten rainiest days can contribute up to 40% of the annual precipitation in the Wisconsin region. By 2080, the La Crosse area can anticipate an increase of up to 15% in total annual precipitation. In addition, the timeframe between rains is expected to continue to increase. Under this scenario, it is likely that certain periods of the year, like spring, may be significantly wetter with storms producing heavier rains. In anticipation of this, it is appropriate to review the areas of the community with flood risk and to review current storm water management capacity against future extreme rainfall event projections. Increases in impervious cover can dramatically increase the impact of so-called 100-year flood events. Neighborhoods in La Crosse have impervious surface coverage as high as 64%, highlighting actions reducing impervious surface coverage as one of the important adaptation avenues. 

The recommended actions in the CAP are:

1. Increase the use of permeable pavement and other green infrastructure (e.g., swales, rain gardens, urban tree canopies) to reduce overland flow and increase detention and infiltration that address stormwater before it enters the sewer system and prioritize the use of these strategies in areas at higher risk of flooding.
2. Identify lead pipes within City's water distribution network and establish a plan and timeline for replacement.
3. Prepare a flash flood risk map to identify areas within the City that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of flooding, including details such as tree canopy, impervious surface, heat islands, critical community infrastructure (water wells, wastewater treatment and pump houses, emergency response, power generation, fresh water supply, hospitals, etc.), and vulnerable populations. Based on risk mapping and assessments, create and implement a risk reduction and response plan. Share and promote the information developed by the flash flood risk map, particularly among vulnerable populations and neighborhoods.
4. Strengthen local ordinances/regulations to better protect riparian areas, streams, and wetlands that store and filter floodwaters, and strengthen enforcement of those policies.
5. Update the City's Stormwater Master Plan(PDF, 7MB)  to incorporate projected increases in precipitation and extreme weather events and address the development/redevelopment of properties currently exempted from stormwater management requirements.
6. Reduce barriers to the movement of water in and around streams and wetlands (e.g., inadequately sized culverts) to reduce flood risks during extreme precipitation events and allow natural shifting of these systems in response to disturbances.

Water is at the core of climate change and sustainable development. Quality water is vitally important for socio-economic development, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and for human survival. Water is central to the production and preservation of a wide range of services benefiting people. How we process water is also linked to our greenhouse gas emissions. Water and wastewater related GHG emissions total 3,239 metric tons in La Crosse annually. Water is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change. Over 4,700 households, 1 in 5 homes, in La Crosse are at moderate risk for flooding today. Climate change will increase the likelihood of drought combined with additional heavy rain events, flooding, and flash flooding. Climate change will also increase stress on our water systems, increase water pollution potential, and place more risk on maintaining safe water resources. Water is an irreplaceable, critically important resource fundamental to the well-being of our communities. Water can only be considered renewable with high quality best water management practices in place.

• Impacts of current and projected future precipitation patterns on water resources, including processes that are critical for maintaining drinking water supplies
• Impacts of extreme events (e.g., heat waves, flooding, drought) on water quality and stormwater management systems
• Water resource conservation measures that are already being implemented in the community, as well as existing and potential areas that could be used for natural floodwater storage

• A given cost per gallon takes a larger portion of a lower- income household’s available take-home pay. Consequently, water and wastewater rate designs intended to encourage conservation can unintendedly impact low-income households more than wealthier households. Rate designs should be designed carefully to enhance equity while encouraging conservation.
• Low-income households have fewer resources to address maintenance issues such as leaking pipes, resulting in a higher likelihood of living with water leak concerns.