The Transportation Research Board (TRB) recently released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for development of a guidebook on water use at airports. (The TRB is a department of the National Research Council of the National Academies). The RFP aims to culminate in the development of a “guidebook and tools that airport operators can use to design and institute a water efficiency management program specific to their facility.”
The TRB envisions a guidebook that enables
- Understanding of water use at airports;
- Development of baseline airport water use data;
- Setting appropriate water use levels;
- Analysis of water efficiency measures, including direct and indirect costs and benefits; and
- Development of a water efficiency management action plan.
The RFP can be found here. Hurry, the RFP closes on February 20, 2014!
This RFP presents a great opportunity for airports to achieve greater levels of sustainability and more responsible use of water that takes into account the true value of water. If the guidebook presents the information requested in a well-conceived and organized manner, it should be a great resource for airports worldwide, not just in the United States. The challenge will be implementing the water efficiency management action plan. As with most plans, the success or failure will be tied to management’s dedication to fulfilling the plan. Here’s hoping airports use the guidebook and follow through on their plans to better water usage and efficiency.
dtm
