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<br />" <br /> <br />0'905' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />a d~tailed discussion of the multifarious opportunity for industrial <br />water conservation is beyond the scope of this paper. One important <br />alternative involves the use of water of impaired quality, including <br />treated wastewater and saline water. <br /> <br />Perhaps the most important incentives for water conservation <br />in industry and energy development involves water availability <br />and environmental regulations. Often abundant water supplies are <br />physically unavailable and process design changes may be necessary <br />to do with less. Where water is available, price does not seem <br />to be an important factor as water costs are often only a small <br />fraction of total production costs. This appears to be particularly <br />true for western energy development. On the other hand, strict <br />environmental regulations may make reuse of process waters before <br />treatment more attractive. Where feasible, the use of saline or <br />wastewaters can be particularly benefitical as high quaiity'waters <br />are conserved for other uses. Further, potential pollution problems <br />and related treatment needs may be alleviated with the consumption <br />of these degraded waters. <br /> <br />WESTERN WATER LAW <br /> <br />Understanding the relationship between western water law <br /> <br /> <br />and conservation is essential. The appropriations doctrine is <br /> <br />an integral part of western state water resources management, <br /> <br />and the efficient use of water underlies the principle of beneficial <br /> <br />use. The following discussion notes potential conflicts between <br /> <br />j.~ <br />