Water Shortage Policy

Water shortage is a temporary situation that may occur  when demand exceeds supply due to: 

• Natural events – Droughts, low precipitation or reduced snowmelt can lead to lower water levels in lakes, rivers and reservoirs. 
• Seasonal variations – Water availability fluctuates throughout the year, with drier conditions in certain seasons. 
• Infrastructure limitations – Aging or insufficient infrastructure may limit water distribution and storage capacity. 
• Increased demand – Population growth, agricultural expansion, and industrial activities can put pressure on existing water resources. 

WSA has developed a Water Shortage Policy to guide decision-making during times of shortage. The policy outlines a three-phase approach for managing shortage, which includes: 

1. Pre-response: Identifying Shortages

• Assess water supply (snowpack, runoff reports)
• Evaluate demand (licensing, usage, environmental needs)
• Identify at-risk areas using data and regional analysis 

2. Shortage Response 

• Decision-Making: Water Shortage Response Committee formed
• Communication: Notify and engage affected stakeholders
• Compliance: Consideration for monitoring and reporting requirements of water use
• Flexibility: Ability to update and refine water shortage response as conditions evolve 

3. Post-response: Recovery, Evaluation & Improvement 

• Notify stakeholders once a shortage has ended
• Support affected communities
• Review the effectiveness and efficiency of the response
• Implement policies and procedures
• Assess strategies for future shortages 

Managing water shortage is important because it: 

• Ensures safe drinking water for residents
• Protects agriculture, industry and ecosystems
• Supports economic growth and sustainability