Read the passage. Water Efficiency Strategies courtesy of United States Environmental Protection Agency Drinking water systems can implement water efficiency measures and still deliver an unchanged or improved level of service to consumers while reducing overhead costs. Improving water efficiency reduces operating costs (e. g., pumping and treatment) and reduces the need to develop new supplies and expand our water infrastructure. It also reduces withdrawals from limited freshwater supplies, leaving more water for future use and improving the ambient water quality and aquatic habitat. More and more utilities are using water efficiency and consumer conservation programs to increase the sustainability of their supplies. Case studies demonstrate substantial opportunities to improve efficiency through supply-side practices, such as accurate meter reading and leak detection and repair programs, as well as through demand-side strategies, such as conservation-based water rates and public education programs. Supply-Side Strategies for Water Suppliers Accounting for Water—Accounting for water is an essential step toward ensuring that a water utility is sustainable. This is best accomplished when water systems meter use by their customers. Metering helps to identify losses due to leakage and also provides the foundation on which to build an equitable rate structure to ensure adequate revenue to operate the system. Water Loss Control—National studies indicate that, on average, 14 percent of the water treated by water systems is lost to leaks. Some water systems have reported water losses exceeding 60 percent. Accounting for water and minimizing water loss are critical functions for any water utility that wants to be sustainable. Demand-Side Strategies for Water Suppliers Water Rates—One of the most effective ways to reduce demand for water is to establish rates that escalate as more water is used. Consumer Efficiency—Consumers can reduce water use by installing water-efficient products or employing efficiency