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would include leak detection and repair, and reuse or recycling program. Pricing policies designed to reduce use are a financial incentive. It would appear that the two methods for water conservation which would be most effective for the Town of Palisade would be a new pricing policy and a leak detection and repair policy. The leak detection/repair program would be undertaken by the Town itself, with little interaction from the citizens. A stricter pricing policy will undoubtedly meet public opposition since the present rates have been in effect for many years. ltowever, if approached in the proper manner with adequate data to show its effectiveness, it may be possible to implement it. The impact of a water COnservation program on future water demand is discussed in the next secti.on. c. PROJECTIONS OF FUTURE POPlJLATION AND WATER USE 1. Future PQpulation Growth The forecast of future popula.tion in the service area, along with estimates of per capita water use, will determine the proposed design capacity for the raw water supply facilities. It is important that the facilities are not under- built nor over-built, since both situations can prove to be expensive if later corrections must be made. It is probable that population growth will follow historical trends. There is little potential for large, explUlding industries to relocate to the area, which would attract job seekers. One main impetus for growth in Palisade will come from people seeking hl)mes in a small rural community, but who have jobs elsewhere in the area. Many of the present residents commute to jobs in the Grand Junction area. There are also a large number of senior citizens in the Town, and two retirement homes have been built within the last 3 years. This trend will probably continue. Palisade has always had a large migrant labor population (workers in the fruit industry) and recent changes in the immigration laws have allowed many of them to bring their families to the area. As mentioned, the general growth rate in Mesa County has been approximately 2.0% over the last five years. A growth rate of 2.0% per year is about 10.4% every 5 years. Since pipelines and reservoirs normally have a minimum usable life of around 25 to 30 years, the population forecast has been extended to 2025 (Table ill-6). ill-9 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I