AWWA JAW30385

Incorporating conservation into a master plan involves a risk of lost revenues, uncertainty as to exact long-term savings, and increased operating budgets to implement the programs. Utilities should, however, see a net decrease in costs because properly designed and implemented conservation programs help maximize efficiency of existing supplies, which decreases operation and maintenance expenses and capital costs. Conservation can also help satisfy environmentalists and regulators whose cooperation may be needed to obtain future water projects. The author builds a case for integrating conservation and master planning and goes on to explain how to do it. The City of Boulder, Colorado is used as an example; specific measures targeting various consumer sectors are listed. Tips for ongoing refinement are given. Includes 12 references, tables, figures.