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<br />j r/- 'i <br />r.~ " ,0: ~ <br /> <br />~:,) <br /> <br />each use ot water, a water use efficiency can be determined. A high rate <br /> <br />.: ~J <br /> <br />of water use efficiency for a given use IllaY not, however, always be the most 0 <br /> <br />productive use of that water. Another product may be produced frOlll that same <br />unit of water that has a much higher value. This alternative use of that <br />water may ,even thOugh a lower water use efficiency is achieved, be a more <br /> <br />.':-'j <br /> <br />"' <br /> <br />efficient (productive) use of that unit of water. <br /> <br />Obviousl\y, all water cannot be used for the single most productive use. <br /> <br />The uses of' water in the basin must be for a cOlllbination of products that <br /> <br />achieve a viable and stable economy. Determination of the best combination <br /> <br />has been aceomplished through the free market system operating within the <br /> <br />legal and institutional fr8lllework. The water law system of today does not, <br /> <br />unfortunately, reflect the needs that have been brought about by econOll1ic, <br /> <br /> <br />social, and' envirolllllental changes that have occurred over the last half <br /> <br />century. <br /> <br />This paper does not attempt to define what the best cOIIIbination of water <br /> <br />;1 <br /> <br />uses are. A good starting point, however, would be to strive for maximum <br /> <br /> <br />water use efficiency for each individual use. Maximum economic return per <br /> <br />unit of wat~r used should be achieved within each use category. The term <br /> <br />"economic" is meant to be broad. It includes social and envirolllllental values <br /> <br />as well as goods and services produced. The economic return to the basin Dlus1i <br /> <br />be measured ,in long-term prOductivity as well as short-term. Unfortunately, <br /> <br />social and environmental values and lonp;-term productivity must be measured <br /> <br />in terms of ;qualitative statements rather than being quantitatively defined. <br /> <br />To achieve maximum water use effiCiency, provide for social and environ- <br /> <br />;1i <br /> <br />mental valueil and guarantee long-term prOductiVity, management of the basin <br /> <br />water system as a unit is needed. Coordination between the state, Federal, <br /> <br />Ii: <br />-'.' <br /> <br />regional, and local agencies is needed. The identification of goals, polic;lesi, <br /> <br />"; <br /> <br />iu <br /> <br />.., _-),.,_'_0""," _.k_>~_ <br /> <br />o. u,.. <br />,;, _,,-_~,_'~"h~c,,:.tl <br /> <br /> <br />21 <br />