Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) customers represent one of the most important but also one of the most difficult to reach segments for water conservation outreach. These customers include everything from schools, hospitals, and hotels to homeowner associations (HOAs), restaurants, warehouses, and industrial plants. Their water use is high, their organizational structures are complex, and their priorities are often disconnected from water efficiency goals.
This guide is intended for retail water agency staff, program managers, and partners responsible for designing, implementing, or supporting CII water conservation programs. It focuses on the needs of retail water agencies, with additional guidance included for wholesalers and regional agencies that support and scale CII programs. This guide is the product of interviews, case studies, and task force discussions with water agencies, partners, and stakeholders across the state.It captures what has worked, what has failed, and what emerging opportunities exist. Every section is grounded in the lived experience of practitioners.
Participating agencies also contributed tools and examples to complement the guide. Browse the collection below:
This guide was made possible through the collaboration, expertise, and commitment of CalWEP members and partners across California. We extend our sincere appreciation to CalWEP’s Education and Outreach Task Force for their leadership, insight, and continued dedication to advancing effective water conservation strategies.
