When the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) embarked on a long-term sustainability program in 1984, its goal was to conserve precious water resources. It ended up achieving much more.As of 2012, the Authority has saved $350 million in avoided costs from water efficiency, saved $24 million annually on energy and improved the quality of rivers and aquifers.“Starting in the 1970s, water demand increased with the growing population,” says Stephen Estes-Smargiassi, director of planning. “Water was inexpensive and not well managed. As a new agency in 1986, rather than try to expand our water resources, we decided to focus on demand
