1996年秋天，西雅图市议会要求西雅图公众 公用事业公司（SPU）完成节水潜力评估（CPA）。 具体来说，委员会要求CPA对成本进行严格分析， 西雅图市现有保护机会的数量和可靠性 到2020年批发和直接服务区。注册会计师发现 节约用水，高达3100万加仑/天（MGD），占该地区用水量的16% 旺季，可以在未来20年内实现，而不会减少客户的需求 使用水的能力，以及他们对水服务的满意度。成本 这些节约低于当前新旺季供水的边际成本。包括参考资料、数字。

In the fall of 1996 the Seattle City Council requested that Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) complete a Water Conservation Potential Assessment (CPA). Specifically, Council asked that the CPA provide a rigorous analysis of the cost, volume, and reliability of conservation opportunities available within Seattle's wholesale and direct service areas through 2020. The CPA found that substantial water savings, up to 31 million gallons per day (MGD) of 16% of water use in the peak season, can be achieved over the next 20 years with no reduction in customers' ability to use water nor in their satisfaction with water services. The cost of these savings is below the current marginal cost of new peak season water supply. Includes references, figures.