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City of Rifle Water Conservation Plan <br />4.0 Conservation Goals <br />4.1 Goal Development Process <br />Final Report -July 2008 <br />There are many reasons for cities and utilities to adopt a water conservation program. The <br />following list contains potential reasons that the City of Rifle considered before creating <br />the plan. <br />1. Cost savings: Reducing water demands and associated water production/ delivery <br />requirements can save a utility and its ratepayers money by reducing water system <br />operating costs, and reducing/deferring capital expenses. <br />2. Wastewater treatment and disposal benefits: Reducing interior water use lowers <br />wastewater flows, resulting in treatment cost savings and reduced environmental <br />impacts of treated wastewater disposal. <br />3. Environmental impacts: Water removed from a water body for human use could be <br />used for environmental and other purposes. For example, protection of endangered <br />species or wetlands often requires a reliable source of quality water, this could be <br />increased by water conservation. <br />4. Re_ulatory compliance: State laws require water conservation plans with <br />implementation progress to qualify for grants and loans. <br />5. Energy savings: Reducing water production and delivery saves energy and reduces <br />greenhouse gas emissions. <br />6. Utility stewardship and sustainability: Utilities that conserve water demonstrate <br />leadership in resource management and are working toward sustainability. More <br />economic activity can occur on the same water resource <br />7. Competing beneficial uses: In addition to the environment, water left in place could <br />be used for agriculture downstream, power production, recreation, aesthetic <br />enjoyment, etc. <br />8. Water supply limitations: Few places enjoy unlimited water supplies. Water <br />conservation can stretch existing supplies, whether supply is from groundwater or <br />surface water. <br />9. Improved supply reliability: Conservation can reduce the frequency and duration of <br />drought water use curtailments, essentially increasing supply. <br />10. Customer benefits: Customers who conserve water enjoy lower utility bills and lower <br />wastewater and (possibly) energy bills. <br />11. Public Perception: The public often insists on demonstrating efficient use of existing <br />water supplies before supporting expansion of supplies to meet new water needs. <br />The City of Rifle is committed to water conservation for many reasons. Through <br />discussions with City Council, City staff and various stakeholders, the benefits of water <br />conservation that emerged as priorities for the City are as follows: <br />SGM # 99055A-388 23 Conservation Goals <br />