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M,~'Ol UJit)..,;.") REVIEW As was previously mentioned, WSRP's are voluntary except if a utility is applying for drouqht-relief fundina. TI1is special appropriation was made by the legislature in response to the drought conditions of 1987-88. LGHS will not process a funding request until a WSRP is submitted to your LGHS regional office. If you prepare a WSRP as a contingency plan and are not seeking funding, you may send it to your LGHS Regional Office for review. If you are cu=ently preparing a Water System Plan, you are encouraged to include your WSRP as a part of this plan. In either case, LGHS will review each WSRP submitted to ensure that: o The water system has developed a practical, realistic action plan to respond to water shortage conditions; o The WSRP identifies appropriate conservation and/or supply augmentation options which can be realistically linplemented; and o The WSRP is consistent with a utility's Water System plan (if one exists) . FUBLIC INFORMATION If facing a potential water shortage, utilities should be prepared to keep the public informed on a regular basis about their efforts to ensure that a shortage does not occur and about their water supply situation. The public will appreciate knowing of their water utility's efforts to maintain a safe, adequate water supply. If putting a WSRP into action, its requirements should be publicized well in advance so customers know what to expect ahead of time. A public infonnation program not only keeps your customers informed, but provides an opportunity for you to ask for their cooperation. For example, a well-thought-out campaign that asks customers to adopt (voluntary) conse:r:vation measures can save up to 10 percent of nonnal water demand. To ensure success, however, it is ilnportant not to underplay or magnify a shortage, as public confidence in a water utility can be eroded by ina=urate infonnation. It is also inportant to work closely with the media to ensure that infonnation is reported accurately. Carefully worded press releases are an effective way to get your message across. FURlliER INFORMATION These guidelines are intended to assist utilities develop water shortage response plans. They provide a framework for utilities to think about water shortage, conse:r:vation, resource management, utility policies, public infonnation, and financing. While a broad spectrum of topics is covered, in-depth infonnation on how to undertake particular aspects of conse:r:vation or supply augmentation programs is not provided. For infonnation on how to develop and carry out particular programs, such as a residential "retrofit" program or a leak detection program, you are referred to other 5