Water Conservation Field Services Program![]() Water conservation. . . at one time, these words referred to the practice of capturing runoff or diverting streams and rivers into ponds or reservoirs. But today, conservation has many meanings and includes methods of storing, saving, reducing or recycling water. As a federal agency with a vital role in the administration of Western water resources, the Bureau of Reclamation is a leader in water management planning, conservation education, innovative technology demonstrations, and conservation measure implementation through its Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP). In the Lower Colorado Region, the WCFSP helps residents and agencies in Southern Nevada, Southern California, and Arizona achieve local water conservation goals. While many earlier water conservation methods focused on making structural improvements to water delivery systems, the WCFSP focuses on improving the efficiency of water use in homes, on farms, and in industry using a combination of new technology and best management practices. The need to conserve water is critical in the arid Southwest. In the Las Vegas Valley, water agencies search for new water resources for rapidly growing communities. In Arizona, cities and farms work to balance allocations of groundwater and imported water resources. Farmers throughout the area seek solutions for highly salinated water and extreme evaporation losses. And in southern California, urbanized metropolitan areas are tapping into new methods of water reuse to extend their limited supplies. All these situations offer opportunities to improve use of existing water supplies through a combination of technology and innovative management. To help local agencies accomplish their goals, Reclamation offers financial and technical assistance to develop water management plans, underwrites the development of classroom materials and teacher training programs, demonstrates new technologies for efficient water management, and offers matching funds to help agencies implement water conservation measures. The WCFSP encourages water conservation practices; helps water agencies develop and implement effective water management and conservation plans; coordinates with state and other local conservation program efforts; and fosters improved water management on a regional, statewide and watershed basis. For more information about the WCFSP and how it can help you or your agency, visit the websites or contact a coordinator listed below:
Visit the links to the left or Reclamation's Water Conservation Site for frequently asked questions and further information on the program. Our Directory lists additional information - mail codes and fax numbers - of our program contacts. The Manual and Guidebooks page provides a Water Measurement Manual, and Guidelines for developing water conservation plans for municipal and industrial, and agricultural water users. The Links page provides associated links that may be of interest. Or for more information, contact Mary Brechler at: mbrechler@usbr.gov. |