Overview of Conservation Options in the Colorado River Basin Water Supply & Demand Study WEAN-CRB Webinar January 9, 2013

Study Objective –Assess future water supply and demand imbalances over the next 50 years –Develop and evaluate opportunities for resolving imbalances Study conducted by Reclamation and the Basin States, in collaboration with stakeholders throughout the Basin Began in January 2010 and to be completed in December 2012 A planning study – does not result in any decisions, but provides the technical foundation for future activities and dialogue Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study

Summary of Options Submitted Over 150 options were submitted to the Study All options received were included and are reflected in the Study Increased Supply – reuse, desalination, importation, etc. Reduced Demand – M&I and agricultural conservation, etc. Modify Operations – transfers & exchanges, water banking, etc. Governance & Implementation – stakeholder committees, population control, re-allocation, etc.

Reduce Demand Options Examples of Submitted Options Municipal & Industrial Conservation –Water audits –Inclining block rates –Xeriscaping –Residential and commercial retrofits –Pool covers –Gradual decreases in water demand over time –Publication and awareness campaigns Agricultural Conservation –Conveyance system efficiency –On-farm irrigation efficiency –Improved irrigation management –Controlled environment agriculture –Reductions in consumptive use Options related to Energy Water Use Efficiency were also included in this category

Future Water Demand Scenarios Colorado River Basin Historical Use and Future Projected Demand

Development of Representative Options: Municipal & Industrial Conservation 3 representative options, reflecting 3 levels of additional conservation at a Basin-wide level, were developed Conservation amounts were determined for Residential Indoor; Commercial, Institutional and Industrial; Outdoor Landscaping; and Water Loss –Best Management Practices and adoption rates derived from state of Colorado and California approaches were used to determine amounts

Ratings Summary for M&I Conservation Representative Options

Development of Representative Options: Agricultural Conservation 2 representative options, reflecting 2 implementation approaches at a Basin-wide level, were developed The implementation approaches considered are agricultural conservation with and without transfers, up to 1 MAF for each approach was evaluated (not additive) Each approach is comprised of a blend of conservation measures

Ratings Summary for Agricultural Conservation Representative Options

Role of Conservation in Study Portfolios Four portfolios (groups of options) were evaluated in the Study designed to reflect differing strategies towards resolving future imbalances M&I conservation was frequently implemented and with a short delay from its first availability date under all future conditions –This is also true for the first levels of agricultural conservation (with transfers) Higher levels of agricultural conservation (with transfers) were frequently implemented and with a short delay from their first availability date under only future conditions with low streamflow

Next Steps Regarding Conservation Conservation in both the M&I and the agricultural sectors is an area that municipalities and entities in the agricultural sector have been and will continue to pursue Local differences in conservation potential is an uncertainty that needs to be explored Convened by Reclamation, workgroups will be established in 2013 that include the Basin States and other interested stakeholders to further explore conservation opportunities

Study Contact Information Website: Telephone: ; Fax: Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study