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Discussion of Interests in the 1177 Round Table Tracy Bouvette, Great Western Institute Febmary 2006 Discussion of Water Conservation - its meaning and role Water Conservation begins with an understanding that individual water users are wanting and needing a service provided by the water - a warm shower, clean clothes, place to play, etc, Water conservation therefore means providing the same service more efficiently, Water conservation is not drought response - for drought by its very nature is an extreme situation calling for specific measures, Water conservation on the other hand requires sustainability - meaning that water providers implement water conservation measures and programs that can be sustained in the long mn, By contrast, drought response should only be used in situations of drought. Both water conservation and drought response actions are important in any entities water management portfolio, but it is important to understand the differences, Specific categories of water conservation measures and programs include: . Wise water use (e,g" catching warm up water for other uses, turning off the facet when bmshing your teeth, etc.) . Water use efficiency (e,g" using technology - such as low flow toilets, high efficiency washing machines, etc,) . Infrastmcture management (e,g" tracking down and repairing system leaks, etc,) . Alternative supplies (e.g" reuse, etc.) Curtailment, such as lawn watering restrictions, is typically a drought response and therefore is not considered a water conservation measure or program, Water conservation is more than an exercise of good stewardship, of managing our precious resources. It is more than that, since water conservation can only be sustained if it is fully integrated into both the supply and demand sides of a water provider's organization, including influencing how water is priced, Sustainability of effective and meaningful water conservation therefore requires: . Appropriate pricing of water; . Trail and error (meaning that certain measures and programs need to be established and communicated to the customers, monitored for effectiveness, and revised in response to customer actions and behaviors); and . Commitment. In the end, water conservation is a basic fiduciary responsibility for any water provider in Colorado.