What is the purpose of a water supply master plan?

A water supply master plan serves the critical function of outlining long-term water resource management. This comprehensive document evaluates current water supply conditions and projects future needs based on population growth, economic factors, and environmental considerations. The master plan establishes a framework for sustainable water usage, infrastructure development, and the necessary investments to ensure that the water supply can meet the demands of the community over time.

It incorporates strategies for mitigating risks related to water scarcity and quality, assessing potential new sources of water, and ensuring the resilience of the water supply system against climate change and other challenges. By focusing on long-term planning, the master plan enables water suppliers to proactively address issues that could arise, ensuring reliability and quality of the water supply in the future.

Other options focus on aspects such as short-term management or customer service, which, while important to operational efficacy, do not encompass the broad and strategic vision that a master plan is designed to provide.