Questions Water-Policy Officials Should Be Prepared to Answer

Ultimately, enlisting the public in a successful water-conservation program requires water-policy officials to be able to deliver on the promises they make—even if those promises are only implied.

Question 1
Are the landscape and turf water-conservation goals short-term, long-term or indefinite, and are they expected to become more restrictive?

Question 2
Have the proposed conservation programs proven to be effective in saving water, or like some xeriscape programs, have they actually resulted in using more water?

Question 3
Will the proposed landscape water conservation efforts result in creating heat islands, which require increased energy consumption for cooling?

Question 4
Will there be any negative impacts on the environment and ecosystem as a result of the proposed water-conservation efforts?

Question 5
What will be the economic impacts (positive and negative) of these conservation efforts on home values, businesses and jobs?

Question 6
What will happen to the water that is conserved? Where will it go, and how will it be used?

Question 7
Will individuals maintain personal choice and individual responsibility when the proposed conservation efforts are implemented?