Charlottesville Energy & Water Management

The City of Charlottesville’s program for using less energy and water in its own buildings, and teaching local students to do the same.

The Quick Facts

What it is: A City of Charlottesville program, run out of the Office of Sustainability, that tracks and improves the energy and water use of city facilities.
Who it’s for: Charlottesville City Schools families and anyone who cares how the city manages its resources; this is a public program, not a business you hire.
The family angle: Conservation education that reaches kids directly in Charlottesville City Schools, with take-home activity sheets.
Cost: Free; it’s a city program.
Best for: Curious kids, school families, and parents looking for simple ways to talk about saving energy and water at home.

Charlottesville energy & Water management

The Energy and Water Management Team, part of the Office of Sustainability, works closely with City departments, especially the Public Works Department’s Facilities Maintenance and Capital Development Divisions. Together, they track utility use, evaluate building performance, and implement programs that improve energy and water efficiency. As a result, the team helps reduce waste, support staff in adopting efficient practices, and keep Charlottesville a leader in high-performance buildings.

This work is carried out through three programs. First, Building Performance focuses on tracking utility use because “we can’t manage what we don’t measure.” Next, Outreach & Engagement educates City staff, building users, and schools on sustainability practices. Finally, the LED Streetlights Upgrade program converts Charlottesville’s streetlights to energy-efficient LED technology.

Why it Matters for Families

What many parents might not realize is that much of this program focuses on students. To support the School Board’s 2019 commitment, the Energy and Water Management Team partners with Charlottesville City Schools to reduce energy and water use. Throughout school buildings, students see reminders near light switches and sinks encouraging them to turn off lights, save water, and report leaks. In addition, each quarter features a new conservation theme and take-home activities help families practice these habits together.

One standout example came in May 2023, when 330 fifth graders at Walker Upper Elementary received Climate Action Activity Kits through a partnership with the Community Climate Collaborative, the Virginia Discovery Museum, and the City. The bilingual kits included hands-on activities, a solar-powered night light, a garden kit, and family resources on rebates and energy efficiency. Meanwhile, the City and Charlottesville City Schools also participated in the Community Climate Collaborative’s Better Business Challenge, with Charlottesville earning recognition as a 2020–2021 Challenge winner.

How Families Can Engage

Because this is a city program, “using” it means learning and taking part rather than visiting. Ask your child what they’ve picked up about saving energy and water at school, and put those small habits to work at home. To go deeper, explore the program’s pages on the city website, where the outreach materials and student activity sheets live.

City of Charlottesville
PO Box 911
Charlottesville, VA 22902

charlottesville.gov/288/Energy-Water-Management

SERVICES

Building performance tracking across city facilities • Energy and water conservation education in Charlottesville City Schools • Take-home student activity sheets, by grade level • Climate Action Kits and partnerships with local nonprofits • LED streetlight upgrades across the city