AWWA JAW63305

As population growth, climate change, and water quality decline affect the limited water resources of the western United States, local governments, water utilities, and the public must continue their efforts to sustain supplies. Effective management of both water quality and water quantity is especially important for communities in arid and semi arid regions affected by increasing demand and climate variability. Adding to the hardship is the decline in water quality that results from diminished flows during years of drought. Long-term planning and development of a portfolio of resources to sustain existing water sources to meet the needs of urban, industrial, and agricultural sectors is imperative. Communities and water agencies must work together. The human population can contend with water scarcity only through responsible development, effective resource management, and the realization that the world shares the same finite water supply. Two utilities in the West and Southwest, the Southern Nevada Water Authority in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Zone 7 Water Agency in Livermore, California, offer examples of how measures to reduce water demand and protect current supply can be implemented successfully. Includes 5 references, figures.