Total water management strategies for utility master planning

Abstract

Increasing demands on water resources and the associated stresses of continued population growth, land‐use changes, and climate uncertainty require water managers to use more innovative approaches to long‐term water management planning. A total water management (TWM) approach integrates management of the watershed, water supply sources, land‐use practices, and related resources to provide sustainable supplies while considering equitable economic and social considerations and promoting a healthy ecosystem. The authors describe a TWM plan implemented by the Clayton County Water Authority in Atlanta, Georgia, and examine how this approach has been used successfully to meet long‐term water supply and wastewater management needs, even during excessive drought conditions. This article opens the door to further applications of reclaimed water to keep supply reservoirs full even during severe droughts.