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<br />comment on any proposed changes, A copy of HB 1154 is included as Appendix <br />A. <br /> <br />1,2 Impacts of Water Conservation <br /> <br />The U,S, Water Resources Council defines water conservation as "activities <br />designed to (1) reduce the demand for water, (2) improve the efficiency in use <br />and reduce losses and waste of water, or (3) improve land management <br />practices to conserve water,..l Efficient water use can result in significant <br />benefits to the water utility and its customers. Reductions in water use can <br />result in significant energy savings because water heaters are the second <br />largest energy users in the home, exceeded only by heating and air-conditioning <br />systems, Conserving water inside the home and reducing process use by <br />business and industry decreases wastewater flow volume, This saves pumping <br />energy, chemicals and wastewater treatment capacity, Efficient water use can <br />reduce degradation of the environment by increasing stream flows and water <br />levels in existing reservoirs and by reducing drawdown of groundwater levels. In <br />most communities, increasing water use efficiency results in cost reductions, <br />The costs are lower because of reduced energy and chemical use in water and <br />wastewater operations; further reductions may also be observed in the energy <br />costs incurred by the homeowner or industry for water heating and other power <br />uses.2 <br /> <br />Although the benefits of increasing water-use efficiency can be significant, there <br />are potential drawbacks that should also be considered when planning a <br />conservation program, To operate efficiently, water utility agencies depend on a <br />stable budgeting process and predictable revenues. Customers who practice <br />water conservation and reduce their water use will have lower water bills thus <br />reducing the water utility revenues to cover operating costs. Water conservation <br />may result in deferring the construction of facilities for additional water supply <br />capacity that is required to meet rising demand, This is generally considered a <br />favorable effect; however, durinq that delay. inflation may increase construction <br />costs, affecting the water utility's ability to finance needed projects, Water <br />conservation, like a new source, provides water that can be used to extend <br />service to areas that are presently undeveloped, Again this can be viewed as a <br />positive or negative depending on -the growth issues. Increasing water-use <br />efficiency under normal conditions may make additional savings during a <br />drought more difficult to achieve, These negative effects can usually be <br />overcome or minimized with proper consideration and planning.3 <br /> <br />1 Guidelines for Slale Water Management Planning, US Water Resource Council. <br />Fed, Reg, (July 21, 1960) <br />2 Water Conservation, William 0, Maddaus, American WaterWorks Assoc,@1967 <br />3 Water Conservation, William O. Maddaus, American Water Works Assoc, @ 1967, <br /> <br />2 <br />