Vision For the Future of Water in Kansas. 1.Technology and Crop Varieties 2.Water Management 3.Water Conservation 4.New Sources of Supply Breakout Topic

Vision For the Futureof Water in Kansas

April 11, 2014-Manhattan, KS

1. Technology and Crop Varieties

2. Water Management

3. Water Conservation

4. New Sources of Supply

Breakout Topic Sessions

Water Management Key Themes

• Modify reservoir operations and downstream targets to most efficiently operate reservoirs for water supply

• Identify opportunities to increase the regionalization of water supply, where doing so would improve the long-term water supply reliability

• Propose changes to Water Appropriation Act and Rules and Regulations to promote a better balance between efficient water use and economic benefits

(Tan paper in packet)

Water ManagementBreakout Questions

1. How can multiple uses of our reservoirs (municipal/industrial, recreation, flood control, etc.) be balanced to most efficiently operate the state’s water supply reservoirs?• Work with the Corps of Engineers to reevaluate

storage to allow more flexibility• Dredging, streambank stability fluctuations,

maintenance and money


2. What are the situations in which regionalization should be encouraged? And what role do you think the state should play in promoting regionalization? • Multi-state coordination should be explored for

cooperation with all the federal agencies• Show the benefits of regionalization and do so before

the need is immediate• The state needs to provide leadership


3. What additional tools are needed to provide greater flexibility for the management of water while protecting the resource? • Water Administration– State Government Administration (Single agency?)– Evaluate consumptive use– Support LEMAs due to flexibility – Review the Water Transfer Act– Valuation of water should conducted


3. How can educational opportunities between users be created and sustained (ex – Municipal v. Irrigation; Ogallala v. Reservoirs)?• Start K-12 when children are learning• Need for different types of education for different groups• Develop a comprehensive education plan and implement

the strategies to reach objectives• Use the groups we currently have • Get success stories out using the data and resources we

currently have


Summary• Funding • Use conservation plans we currently have as a

valuable tool• Manage quality and quantity.

New Sources of Supply Key Themes

• Restore water supply lost to sedimentation through dredging and other in-lake sediment management techniques

• Where feasible and cost effective, allow for the transfer of water supplies between basins

• Increase adoption of existing policies and develop new policies and incentives to increase the reuse of water

• Reallocate water storage at any federal reservoir where such actions are possible recognizing that this is often the cheapest alternative for securing additional water storage

• Increase other sources of storage available for water supply

(Purple paper in packet)

New Sources of SupplyBreakout Questions

1. How can barriers to the reuse of water be overcome?• Complete review of policy rules and regulations

affecting reuse water, ie – grey water, or produced water.

• Overcoming public perception of reuse water. Education will be a critical component.

• Infrastructure related to the distribution of grey water.


2. What measures should be taken today to increase the water storage available for the future? • Maximize access to federal storage through either

purchase or reallocation.• Recognize aquifers as storage vessels and the

increased value of recharge.• Acknowledge protection creates additional source –

ie. Watershed restoration practices and conservation. Permitting issues.


3. What steps can be taken to make the best use of abundant water supplies, such as the Missouri River, to benefit Kansans? • Identify all areas where surplus supply exists and the

policies that limit their use.• Improve reservoir management and yield through

interconnections.• Look at larger, longer term infrastructure that

have/add value to the entire state.


Summary• Infrastructure. Infrastructure. Infrastructure.• Consider new, comprehensive ways to manage

storage.• Sediment reduction and management is key.• Select projects that have greatest bang for the buck.• Water quality matters.


NEW IDEAS• Brackish water.• KDOT is the largest land owner possibilities for use

of right-of-ways.• Advocacy for water. Where does it come from? Do

we have enough? Follow the lead of other states.

Water Conservation Key Themes

• Even if not deemed a significant source of additional supply, conservation has to be a part of the future vision for water in Kansas

• Reduce barriers and increase development of locally driven conservation and management plans

• Implement greater water conservation policies and practices, both voluntary and non-voluntary

• Increase adoption of watershed practices that reduce future water supply loss

• Information and education is key to increased adoption of water conservation practices

(Blue paper in packet)

Water ConservationBreakout Questions

1. What can be done to increase the adoption and success of locally-driven conservation and management plans? • Changing from a culture of consumption to

conservation• Identify and share local positive conservation efforts • Communicate the benefits of conservation


2. What are the barriers to the adoption of locally-driven conservation (best management practices) measures? • Undervaluing water• Rate structures – focus on selling a service versus

selling water• One size does not fit all • Funding


3. What consistent, long-term measures can be employed to increase public information and education to better promote water resource conditions and water conservation opportunities?• Support community conservation leaders• Simplify the message• “A day without water”

Technology & Crop Varieties Key Themes

• Promotion of irrigation efficiency technologies• Adoption of less water intensive crop varieties• Promotion of technologies for the treatment of

alternative, lower quality sources of water• Implementation of research-based technology aimed

at better understanding our state’s water supply

(Green paper in packet)

Technology & Crop VarietiesBreakout Questions

1. What policies, research and programmatic changes are needed to increase adoption of irrigation efficiency technologies and alternative crops?

• Real-time monitoring, on-farm technology to better understand local, individual wells

• Understand economic value of water• Develop alternative crop market holistically


2. What partnerships should be created and supported to develop affordable technologies for the treatment of alternative, lower quality sources of water? • Incentivize early adoption• Match water quality and water need• Pursue technology for high-value water uses


3. How can technology best be used to understand our state’s water supply? What is the end goal of the research? • Clearinghouse of information• Use for short and long-term planning• Real-time well data critical to sync/integrate across

technology


Summary• Push for good research• Continued education on programs and requirements• Region economics will drive the adoption

Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas

November 12-13, 2014Manhattan, KS

Save the Date

Documents

Vision For the Future of Water in Kansas. 1.Technology and Crop Varieties 2.Water Management 3.Water Conservation 4.New Sources of Supply Breakout Topic