Eco-districts are urban areas built to embed sustainability into everyday systems like energy, transport, waste, and water. These neighborhoods focus on using resources more efficiently and reducing their environmental footprint. In water management, eco-districts prioritize conservation, smart use, and resilient infrastructure to support long-term urban sustainability. Read how the Lloyd EcoDistrict is leading the way with innovative water conservation and efficiency strategies that reduce demand and support sustainable urban development.
Smart Water Use in Eco-Districts
Eco-districts focus on using water efficiently through smart design and technology. Buildings feature low-flow toilets and aerated faucets, which can reduce indoor water use by 40–50%. Smart water meters track real-time use, helping spot leaks and improve efficiency. Outside, drought-resistant plants and efficient irrigation keep landscapes green while saving water.
Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management
Managing stormwater is key to avoiding floods and pollution in cities. Eco-districts use green infrastructure like bioswales and green roofs to absorb and clean rainwater naturally. These features reduce runoff, recharge groundwater, and ease pressure on city drainage systems. Green roofs also hold rainfall and slow its flow, helping treatment plants work more efficiently.
Local Water Reuse Solutions in Eco-Districts
Eco-districts often use rainwater harvesting to collect and store rain for non-drinking uses like flushing toilets and watering plants. They also recycle greywater from sinks and showers, treating it for reuse. In some locations, small-scale treatment systems clean wastewater on-site, cutting reliance on city water. These strategies boost water security and reduce overall demand.
Building Water Resilience in Eco-Districts
With climate change driving more droughts and extreme weather, eco-districts focus on water resilience. They use tools like aquifer recharge, urban wetlands, and integrated water planning to secure future supplies. By blending conservation, reuse, and smart infrastructure, these districts build flexible, water-secure cities.
Case Study: Lloyd EcoDistrict’s Integrated Approach to Water Conservation, Reuse, and Urban Resilience
Lloyd EcoDistrict has set a goal of achieving no net increase in potable water demand from 2010 levels, requiring a 58% reduction by 2035. To achieve this, the district tracks water consumption using the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®, enabling stakeholders to assess usage and implement conservation strategies. These include retrofitting existing buildings with water-efficient fixtures, incorporating high-performance water-saving technologies in new developments, and exploring district-scale water utility solutions.
A major initiative supporting this goal is Hassalo on Eighth, a mixed-use development featuring the Natural Organic Recycling Machine (NORM). NORM is a decentralized wastewater treatment system designed to divert 100% of the wastewater from three buildings away from the municipal sewer system. It treats 45,000 gallons per day using trickling filters and constructed wetlands, meeting Oregon’s Class A reuse standards. The treated water is repurposed for toilet flushing, cooling systems, and irrigation, reducing reliance on potable water sources. Excess treated water is directed to dry wells, contributing to groundwater recharge in this urban area.
The district’s efforts also address the challenges posed by Portland’s combined sewer system, which has historically struggled to manage stormwater runoff, leading to pollution in the Willamette River. By prioritizing water conservation, efficiency, and onsite recycling, Lloyd EcoDistrict reduces pressure on municipal infrastructure while advancing sustainability. These initiatives demonstrate how urban districts can integrate water reuse into long-term planning, aligning with environmental and resilience goals.
The Take-Out
Eco-districts strengthen water sustainability by focusing on conservation, efficient use, and smart reuse strategies that reduce demand and support long-term resource security.