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<br />t. OaS7 . <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Within the anthropomorphic (human) view of the hydrologic <br /> <br /> <br />cycle, a distinction must be made between recoverable and irre- <br /> <br />coverable losses. Generally waters withdrawn for human use from <br /> <br /> <br />surface and ground water flows are largely returned to rivers, <br /> <br />streams and underground aquifers where they are again available <br /> <br /> <br />for recapture and use. Water therefore may be used more than <br /> <br />once as apparent losses are "recoverable." However, sometimes <br /> <br />waters percolate to deep aquifers where recovery is not economically <br /> <br />practical, or to saline sinks where its quality is degraded. Such <br /> <br />waters are "irrecoverable" for human use. Irrecoverable losses <br /> <br />also included-evaporation from lakes and reservoirs, transpiration <br /> <br />from plants, and streamflow or ground water flows reaching the <br /> <br />oceans and seas. Recoverable and irrecoverable losses will be <br /> <br />discussed further as part of an evaluation of specific conservation <br /> <br /> <br />measures. <br /> <br />Where real savings can be achieved by reducing irrecoverable <br /> <br />losses, there are many potential benefits. Again, usually the <br /> <br />most important benefit is the availability of water to meet present <br /> <br />and future uses. Water conservation, through more efficient use, ~ <br /> <br />can reduce demands on existing water supplies and allow for new <br /> <br />uses. More water is available to meet municipal, domestic, industrial, <br /> <br />agricultural, environmental and other needs. The following discussion <br /> <br />of potential water conservation benefits and limitations highlights <br /> <br />some of the more important concerns of western water resource <br /> <br />adminis trators. <br /> <br />rl <br />