Potential Water Conflicts

Because the Critical Water Planning Area has limited water supplies under certain conditions and competing water uses, by definition there are likely water conflicts in the watersheds.  One component of the Critical Area Resource Plan will be an identification of the potential water conflicts. 

A list of potential conflicts that have been discussed at previous Critical Area Advisory Committee meetings is provided below.  Feedback (including suggestions for modifications, additions, and removals) is most welcome!

• Increasing water availability for current and future water needs vs Increasing water availability drives population growth;
• Water availability for human use vs Water availability for ecosystem use;
• Managing by jurisdiction vs Collaborative management of water across jurisdictions;
• Stormwater as a nuisance vs Stormwater as a resource;
• Registration of water withdrawals helps manage water resources to ensure long-term availability vs Registration of water withdrawals is a way to try to regulate individual water uses;
• Regulations at local and state level vs Management necessary at the watershed level;
• Limited water availability during summer when uses are greatest vs Increased water availability in winter during lowest usage; and
• Wastewater effluent as a flow stabilizer/enhancer vs A source of nutrients and other pollutants.