National Drinking Water Clearinghouse
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6064
Morgantown, WV
26506-6064


Contents of a Comprehensive Water Conservation Plan

1. Specify Conservation Planning Goals

• List conservation planning goals and their relationship to supply-side planning
• Describe community involvement in the goals-development process

2. Develop a Water System Profile

• Inventory existing facilities, production characteristics, and water use
• Review conditions that might affect the water system and conservation planning

3. Prepare a Demand Forecast

• Anticipate water demand for future time periods
• Adjust demand based on known and measurable factors
• Discuss uncertainties and Òwhat ifÓ (sensitivity) analysis

4. Describe Planned Facilities

• Plan improvements for the water system over a reasonable time period
• Estimate the total, annualized, and unit cost (per gallon) of planned supply-side improvements and additions
• Anticipate total installed water capacity over the planning period based on potential improvements and additions

5. Identify Water Conservation Measures

• Review conservation measures that have been implemented or that are planned for implementation
• Discuss legal or other barriers to implementing recommended measures
• Identify measures for further analysis

6. Analyze Benefits and Costs

• Estimate total implementation costs and anticipated water savings
• Assess cost effectiveness for recommended conservation measures
• Compare implementation costs to avoided supply-side costs

7. Select Conservation Measures

• Select criteria for choosing conservation measures
• Identify selected measures
• Explain why recommended measures will not be implemented
• Provide strategy and timetable for implementing conservation measures

8. Integrate Resources and Modify Forecasts

• Modify water demand and supply capacity forecasts to reflect anticipated effects of conservation
• Discuss the effects of conservation on planned water purchases, improvements, and additions
• Discuss the effects of planned conservation measures on water utility revenues

9. Present Implementation and Evaluation Strategy

• Explain approaches for implementing and evaluating the conservation plan
• Ascertain certification of the conservation plan by the systemÕs governing body

Adapted from EPA Water Conservation Plan Guidelines, 1998.