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Show A. Background Information A short, descriptive narrative of the water utility or company and its service area is needed. General policies and goals of the water utility should be defined and explained. A narrative might include a history of the utility or company and mention of recent water management accomplishments. B. Existing Resources This section should include an inventory of current water sources controlled either through water rights or contractual agreements by the water utility or company. Hydrologic data and analysis to support the quantification of firm yields, as well as the frequency and magnitude of shortages of supply, could be included as part of the documentation. This data describes the water supply with which a water utility or company has to respond to current and future demands. Current infrastructure should be considered as part of the existing resource inventory. C. Current Water Use and Determination of Future Requirements This section would include the historical patterns of water delivery and use by customers of the water utility. Future water needs based on economic and population growth projections should be identified. And a time frame for future projections is needed. The water utility or company should remember that the lead time for development of future supplies can be as significant for conservation methods as it is to develop new supplies. Comparison of current water supplies and future projections will reveal if and when additional supplies will be needed. Infrastructure requirements such as conveyance, treatment and distribution systems for future needs should also be determined as part of this process. D. Identification of Alternatives to Meet Future Water Needs Strategies to meet future demands beyond the limits of existing supplies or infrastructure should be identified. These strategies should include conservation alternatives as well as traditional water development plans. Economics and environmental impacts of the alternatives, including infrastructure requirements, should be determined and evaluated. E. Evaluation and Selection of Alternatives The various alternatives investigated should be evaluated and prioritized to meet future demands. Reaction to the various alternatives by the public, or stockholder in the" case of private water and irrigation companies, can help guide the water utility or company in the final selection and prioritization of alternatives to implement. The public or stockholder perception of the water management and conservation plan development process will, in large part, determine the limits of implementation. The public should be involved in all phases of the process. This approach, while more difficult and time consuming, will provide a broader base of support for a final WMC plan. F. Periodic Evaluation The WMC plan should be reviewed and updated periodically by the water utility or company to reflect new data and trends and gauge performance and progress. This effort will ensure efficiency and timeliness of the plan. G. Associated Plans - Emergency Response Plan As part of the WMC plan, short- term emergency water measures may be included to deal with drought, contamination or flooding that may temporarily affect water supplies. A good emergency response plan will identify these problems and provide for contingencies to meet 12 |