Water Conservation Requirements
All applications for water withdrawal permits require a Water Conservation Program that demonstrates an applicant's water conservation and efficiency measures. These must be environmentally sound, economically feasible and minimize inefficiencies and water losses. Such measures must include but are not limited to:
- source and customer metering;
- frequent system water auditing;
- system leak detection and repair;
- recycling and reuse, and;
- reductions during drought.
The Department's existing Water Conservation Manual was initially developed for public water supply systems. It contains a model water conservation plan describing beneficial near term and long range water conservation measures that can be adapted as necessary to reflect local water resource needs and conditions. The manual is currently being updated to include guidance and best management practices (BMPs) for non-potable uses such as industrial and irrigational.
Public water supply system applicants must fill out the Water Conservation Program Form (WCPF) (PDF) (156 KB) which must be submitted with any new water withdrawal application. Non-potable water supply applicants must use the Water Conservation Program Form for non-potable withdrawals (PDF) (235 kB).
