It takes more than a village

The case studies illustrating the importance of public input and the complex web of collaborative efforts required to address water supply needs in the US, are presented. A key tool for making effective and widely decisions about water supply and allocation is the use of collaborative processes, a method endorsed by several organizations including the US department of the interior. The Los Angeles department of water and power, the largest municipal utility in the US, is collaborating with several other local agencies on projects ranging from stormwater management to seawater desalination. The Philadelphla Water Department is addressing growth challenges through a number of collaborations including projects within the larger Delaware River watershed. The plan specifies coordination among overlapping jurisdiction and sets up an implementation team representing the involved organizations to achieve the vision and goals.