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<br />001227 <br /> <br />l <br /> <br />/ <br /> <br />Water Planning a Priority <br /> <br />Data in both surveys indicates that. ~ater pl{inning is an urgent public priority. For example, <br />planning for the use of Water ranks first in a list of five resource and facility uses being <br />impacted by growth. In fact, it ranked higher than planning for roads and highways, schools, <br />electricity and recreation. (Statewide survey) <br /> <br />This heightened concern is likely a reflection of numerous drought stories that have appeared <br />since the beginning of the year. Transportation, which has been the highest-ranking concern, <br />may have moved down in importance due to the attention it received from state government <br />and passage of the 1999 highway and transit bonds. <br /> <br />In both the Douglas County and statewide survey, more than 90 percent of voters. agree the <br />state of Colorado should develop a "plan for future droughts" including storage of "more <br />water above and below ground." <br /> <br />Concern About Shortage in Five Years <br /> <br />Residents in Douglas County and the rest of the state believe their own household water supply <br />for the next five years is adequate, but expect shortages for the broader area (i.e., for the <br />county or the state), <br /> <br />Water Quantity <br /> <br />Douglas County <br /> <br />Statewide <br /> <br />Quantitv <br /> <br />In the <br />County <br /> <br />A tour <br />Home <br /> <br />In the <br />State <br /> <br />At our <br />Home <br /> <br />Adequate <br />Shortage <br /> <br />35% <br />52 <br /> <br />68% <br />24 <br /> <br />34% <br />56 <br /> <br />66% <br />29 <br /> <br />State and Local Responsibility for Water Planning <br /> <br />Douglas County and Colorado residents believe responsibility for water planning and adequacy <br />is shared by state and local government. Local water providers are responsible for local <br />needs, including cooperation with other water agencies, conservation and storage. The state <br />is responsible for drought planning, water storage investments and, in general, maintaining the <br />quality of life. <br /> <br />Rationing <br /> <br />As the Douglas County survey first showed and the statewide survey confirmed, residents say <br />they will accept water rationing. However, they are reluctant to change their lifestyle. For <br />example reducing their lawns or the surrounding green space is supported by a slim majority. <br />And they are very hostile to increasing the cost of water. <br /> <br />2 <br />