In Washington D.C. The White House has launched an ambitious effort to convince the private sector that water conservation is a priority investment for the coming year.
“Water is a huge challenge in this country, and I think we all know that, “Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said at a meeting at the White House. “It’s important we have all hands on deck.
Jewell announced the creation of a new Natural Resource Investment Center to help coordinate research and investment on water conservation and water rights management. She also announced a Water Summit to be held at the White House on March 22, which is World Water Day.”
This initiative was announced just a month after it was made public that, thanks to a Geological Survey conducted by USA Today and The Desert Sun, it has been discovered that water levels have declined in 64% of wells included on the government database.
The average decline of decrease among these wells has been 10 feet in the last 20 years, with some having dropped more than 100 feet. The government has realized that it needs to take action specifically on the monitoring of groundwater levels and the effects of climate change. These things will be further discussed at the water summit on March 22.
Groundwater levels, managing water demand and water conservation are analyzed in the Future Demand section of your asset management plan if you are managing a water utility.
Drought cycles coupled with increasing pressure on water resources mean that this Future Demand analysis is more critical than ever.
Well managed, consulted and agreed forward strategies will always produce a better result than unmanaged crisis responses, simply because you have more time to do analysis, get feedback, negotiate, consult, plan and procure.
Inframanage.com will watch with interest the reports and results of the March 22nd Water Summit at the White House.
[…] Asset Management Plan may have included considerations for future demand but does it incorporate this type of advance […]