Water Conservation and Demand Management
The cheapest gallon is the one you never use. Conservation — from low-flow fixtures to turf rebates and smart metering — is the first line of defense.
Demand management is consistently the lowest-cost water 'supply' available. Efficient fixtures and appliances, leak detection, tiered pricing, and outdoor-use rules have allowed many cities to grow while using less water overall.
Outdoor watering is the biggest lever in much of the country: lawns are the largest irrigated 'crop' in the United States. Turf-replacement rebates, popularized in Las Vegas, have spread across the West.
Smart meters and real-time usage data are the next frontier, helping utilities and customers find leaks and curb waste — extending existing supplies without building anything new.
Sources & further reading
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