With greater competition for water, Reclamation is placing more emphasis on the needs of all constituencies, including Western cities, Native American tribes, irrigators, recreational interests and fish and wildlife. At the same time, Reclamation is improving its business practices and is allowing employees more authority and flexibility to innovate, while also streamlining the staff. Reclamation began its reinvention efforts in 1987, but it wasn't until 1994 and 1995 that significant effects could be measured. In partnership with others, Reclamation provided education on water conservation and technical and financial assistance to water users through the development and implementation of conservation plans and demonstration grants. These partnerships include cost sharing by local entities to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Reclamation conducts research on emerging water-efficient technology and household appliances.
Cost-effective water and energy equipment is being installed at all Reclamation facilities. Likewise, Reclamation is developing guidance for water-efficient landscaping at Federal facilities and in residential areas. The power generated was enough to serve 6 million homes, equal to the combined population of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. A Power Management Laboratory was initiated during the year to develop new ways to provide reliable electricity while improving the compatibility between hydropower and the environment. This increased efficiency would result in enough energy for 50,000 households and save 1 million barrels of imported oil annually.