A Menu of Demand Side Initiatives for Water Utilities explores the many options available to water utilities to sustain Wisconsin’s valuable water resources. The report will provide the basis for a larger policy effort at hand to develop a comprehensive strategy for all the Great Lakes States and to protect Wisconsin’s groundwater.

Report to Governor Doyle:  A Menu of Demand Side Initiatives for Water Utilities (1390 kb)

Next Steps

DNR Secretary Scott Hassett and PSC Chairperson Dan Ebert agreed that it is important to maintain the momentum from the water conservation symposium and the development of the report.  They announced the following steps to make sure water conservation efforts continue:

• The PSC will create a new Water Conservation Coordinator position to serve as a resource to water utilities in their water conservation efforts.

 
• The PSC and DNR will reach out to interested groups to share the information in this report.  We will work with environmental groups, local governments, industry and policymakers to get information out about water conservation initiatives.

 
• The PSC and DNR will also work together to start benchmarking water use data.  The agencies will gather data and develop a baseline for water usage in the state in order to accurately measure the impact of future water conservation efforts. 

 
• The PSC and DNR will develop a proposal to implement a statewide water conservation education program, looking at what would be needed to conduct an effective information and education campaign that would affect water usage.