AP-NC–Charlotte-Water Consumption Officials want to curb water use in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – An energy-saving initiative is aiming at curbing water consumption in office buildings in downtown Charlotte by up to 20 percent over five years.

The Charlotte Observer reports (http://bit.ly/KS1KmD) that city officials and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities will work with experts from private companies to design and install systems for the Smart Water Now program. Envision Charlotte is in the second year of a similar energy-saving campaign, Smart Energy Now, in downtown commercial buildings.

Like the energy program, water use will be aggregated into a single number for uptown. Organizers intend to drive the number down by making workers and building managers more aware of their water use and changing behaviors.

Downtown surveys have begun and Envision Charlotte expects to have the new program in place this fall.

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