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washing restrictions (activities that do require erwironmental or lifestyle changes) . In tenI1s of utility management activities for dealing with water Shortages, conservation can mean both short-term curtailment of demand, and lonc:r-tenn resource manaqement. Short-tenn curtailment of demand can be achieved through a vigorous public infonnation program, which can include both voluntary and enforceable actions. The curtailment is tenporary and after a Shortage is over, conm.uners usually resume their fonner water use habits. Long-tenn resource management involves efficient use and resource protection strategies designed to effect permanent change in how water is managed and used. :ruRroSE AND OB.JECI'IVFS These guidelines are designed to assist utilities in developing a plan for activities that can be carried out, as well as produce desired results, in a Short period of time. The purpose of these "water Shortage response plans" (WSRP's) is to assist utilities in: o conse:rving available water supplies to the extent possible; and o detennining whether additional sources of supply Should be developed. In order to ensure maximum flexibility for utilities preparing a WSRP, both conservation and supply augmentation options are presented for consideration. utilities Should select a combination of options that is appropriate for them. We believe utilities will achieve several benefits by following the process described in these guidelines. First, a structured planning process simplifies decisionmaking by making it lI'Ore systematic. second, utilities will become lI'Ore familiar with principles of water resource management; a skill that will become increasingly useful over time. Third, the process yields a written plan, which helps ensure that all alternatives are considered and analyzed, and which provides a record that may be reviewed by other interested parties. 'Ihese guidelines also enhance the public policy goals of OOHS by encouraging utilities to start developing resource management policies and to record and lI'Onitor demand and supply, if they are not already doing so. The overall objective of OOHS is to encourage utilities to improve their resource management capabilities and to eliminate water waste wherever possible. Preparation of a WSRP is required by OOHS as a prerequisite for securing drought-relief funding. otherwise, preparation of a plan is strongly encouraged, but not required. The amount of time needed to prepare a WSRP depends on how much infonnation a utility has at the outset, and upon the complexity of the water system. WSRP REIATIONSHIP WITH WATER SYSTEM PlANS If you have developed a Water System Plan, you are aware of the resource 2