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Show SECTION 17 STATE WATER PLAN - JORDAN RIVER BASIN WATER CONSERVATION/ EDUCATION To guide the management of water development projects, the Board of Water Resources has issued a policy statement which supports conservation and the wise use of water. It states that water conservation will be examined as an alternative and a supplement to project proposals. 17.1 Introduction This section discusses water conservation needs, issues, and potential alternatives, plus gives some recommendations for conserving water. Water conservation is defined in the State Water Plan as " wise use," which is much wider in scope than merely reducing water consumption. State water policy on conservation presently requires project sponsors seeking financial assistance from the state to prepare a Water Management and Conservation Plan. Significant water use reductions can and have been achieved when people understand the reasons to conserve, especially in times of drought. It must be remembered, though, that reducing demand for water is less important if there are no cost savings or if the water cannot be used for other desirable purposes. However, in today's environmental- conscious Students see water close- up at water fairs society, implementing water conservation is deemed " the right thing to do." Water conservation can be pursued through three strategies: ( 1) Reducing the demand, ( 2) using the existing supply more efficiently, and ( 3) increasing the supply by operating the storage and delivery facilities more efficiently ( including the elimination of conveyance losses), or through other means. Examples of ( 1) are increasing crop irrigation efficiency, restricting outside use, change in landscaping practices, new efficient plumbing fixtures ( i. e. low flow toilets and low flow shower nozzles), pricing and water education. Examples of ( 2) are secondary ( dual) systems, wastewater reuse, water right transfers and conjunctive use. Examples of ( 3) are repairing and lining canals, leak detection programs and efficient release of water from storage facilities. All of these strategies are valid in the Jordan River Basin. Structural and non- structural measures apply to each. 17.2 Background As determined by the Wasatch Front Water Demand/ Supply Model, ( See Table 17- 1 and Table 9- 4) the average annual diversion ( 1995) for municipal and industrial ( M& I) water in Jordan River Basin was 331,500 acre- feet. This present M& I use is comprised of three components: a residential use of 164,600 acre- feet, a commercial/ institutional use of 77,200 acre- feet and an industrial use of 15,400 acre- feet. Given the current population trends and existing water- use patterns, residential demand is expected to increase to 261,500 acre- feet by the year 2020. The commercial/ institutional use is projected to increase to 135,000 acre- feet by the year 2020. Institutional water uses include such items as park watering, fire hydrant testing, fire fighting and leakage losses. The industrial use is expected to increase to 25,300 acre- feet by he year 2020. Consequently, if existing water- 17- 1 |