Many states already implement water conservation programs.
Experience with these programs provides a wealth of information from which to draw when designing state water conservation policies. State experience with water conservation is substantial, although planning approaches and requirements vary considerably from state to state. Planning requirements across state and federal jurisdictions were analyzed using published documents and other secondary research sources. As of late 1997, eighteen jurisdictions had instituted some kind of formal conservation planning guidelines for water utilities. Many states have water conservation planning guidelines or other requirements embedded in existing statutes or rules.