Progress in US water conservation planning and implementation—1990–2009

Water conservation can be seen as a supplemental or even an alternative strategy for meeting safe drinking water needs. Because of their many benefits, conservation programs are being developed and implemented by municipal districts, regional governments and water purveyors in the United States. In recognition of the potential value of water conservation in infrastructure funding programs, many states now require, recommend, or encourage water system planners to prepare a conservation plan. This study investigates the history and progress of state‐level water conservation across the United States for the past two decades (1990 to 2009). On the basis of reviews of state legislation and relevant literature, this study finds that 23 states currently have mandates requiring conservation as opposed to nine states in 1990, indicating that progress (approximately one state added per year) has been made in conservation. Factors affecting the rate of progress are analyzed in the article.