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on2583 Southwest by import or desalting processes, and because of the magnitude and cost of the physical works required, it is essential that every effort be made to conserve and maximize the use of water that is available within the area. Comprehensive plans for water management must be fully implemented without delay on a scale unprecedented in this Nation's history. It is also clear that all necessary steps toward this end cannot be considered the total responsibility of the United States. All water using entities must cooperate and assist to the limits of their financial ability in carrying out such programs. State governments must be vitally concerned since water salvaged or conserved within one State may be used in accordance with the wishes of that State. It must be emphasized that water management programs of the magnitude and scope required will take time to produce results even if implemented immediately. Research in the water management field must be expedited and carried forward vigorously and new scientific developments and techniques must be adopted and applied as soon as possible. Reclamation and Reuse of Available Water--As the demand for water in the Southwest increases, more pressure will be placed on the optimum use and reuse of this scarce commodity. The reuse of water has been involuntarily practiced for years. In the West, agricultural return flows have historically been used and reused by each successive downstream diversion. Another example of involuntary reuse is the return to developed ground-water basins of cesspool and septic tank wastes. At each point of use some of the water is con- sumed, and the remaining return flows carry away waste products associated with the use. Ultimately, the unconsumed residual becomes unsuitable for use and must be reclaimed, desalted, or wasted from the system. While providing for the disposal of waste waters, there have developed certain reuses which were incidental to the disposal system and arose from the availability of waste water in a water-deficient area. Examples of this can be found throughout the Southwest and include the reuse of municipal and industrial wastes for irrigation and for ground-water recharge. In the future these incidental uses will probably continue. Another development is the occurrence of planned water reclamation projects. For the most part these planned projects have been restricted to reuses after biological upgrading, but do not require desalting. They include ground-water recharge for basin management, prevention of sea-water intrusion, industrial, and irrigation uses. Through technological advances it may become economical to consider desalting of these return flows in addition to the present biologi- cal upgrading. IV-4