Effective water conservation strategies are successful when targets and goals are set and when metrics are utilized to gauge performance. Because water conservation is a key strategy in meeting the state’s future water needs, aggressive steps at local, regional, and state levels should be taken towards tracking and measuring the implementation levels and savings of conservation programs. Plans must define specific actions to be taken, set targets and goals to monitor progress and define how progress will be measured. Standardized methodologies and metrics must be developed statewide for the purpose of consistency and uniformity. Establishing more consistent methods for collecting and reporting water usage as well as requiring frequent reporting will enhance both the quantity and quality of data obtained. With better data, the state’s planning efforts can be refined and the most efficient strategies can be pursued.
Summary of Progress
The workgroup and Council as a whole determined the most appropriate course of action needed to evaluate the implementation of the water conservation strategies was to survey the state’s 16 Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPGs) in order to measure progress in each region in implementing the water conservation measures outlined in the 2007 State Water Plan.
After discussions during workgroup conference calls and meetings of the full Council, a survey of the Regional Water Planning Groups was developed and adopted. The survey requested the following information:
| • Survey Question # 1: | A list of conservation strategies included in the region’s current water plan; |
| • Survey Question # 2: | The expected water savings on an annual basis for each conservation strategy listed in response to request number one; |
| • Survey Question # 3: | A list by water user of the amount of water saved on an annual basis by each conservation strategy implemented; and |
| • Survey Question # 4: | A list of additional water conservation strategies being considered by the Regional Water Planning Group. |
In June 2008, the Council’s Presiding Officer provided the four-part survey to the chairs of the 16 Regional Water Planning Groups. The Council requested that they submit their survey responses to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) no later than October 1, 2008.
Over the course of time the information gathered from this survey is intended to be utilized by water user groups, water suppliers and regional planning groups to provide insight about their water conservation strategies. In the future, results from this survey will supplement the data received from the Regional Water Planning Groups.
Next Workgroup Meeting:
TBD
Upon request, the Texas Water Development Board will facilitate in providing onsite conference space for external participants interested in listening in on workgroup sessions.
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Past Workgroup Meetings |
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Date |
Agenda |
Minutes |
Related Documents |
September 14, 2009 |
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August 7, 2009 |
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March 17, 2009 |
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August 11, 2008 |
Meeting Cancelled |
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August 4, 2008 |
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July 17, 2008 |
N/A |
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March 28, 2008 |
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January 23, 2008 |
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October 31, 2007 |
N/A |
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Workgroup Posted Comments |
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Date Posted |
Posted By |
Post |
Referenced Attachments |
July 23, 2008 |
TWDB Staff |
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July 13, 2008 |
C. E. Williams |
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June 30, 2008 |
C. E. Williams |
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June 17, 2008 |
C. E. Williams |
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June 3, 2008 |
C. E. Williams |
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April 1, 2008 |
Jim Parks |
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January 23, 2008 |
Scott Swanson |
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