Why is integrated regional water management planning a good idea?
Water suppliers that form partnerships with other entities in their region can accomplish projects and provide benefits that no single agency can do alone. For example, partnerships may allow agencies to improve their water supply reliability by establishing emergency connections with neighboring water suppliers; increase operational flexibility by participating in regional groundwater management and conjunctive use; protect water quality by participating in regional watershed management; reduce costs by cooperating with other agencies on water conservation and outreach programs; facilitate new projects by contributing to local habitat conservation plans; and help achieve many other regional resource management objectives. Partnerships can lead to the preparation of integrated regional water management plans and regional eligibility for certain grant funds. Early coordination with land planning agencies may help water suppliers and land planners anticipate and plan for future growth, a
