A drought warning implements coordinated response to imminent drought conditions
and potential water supply shortages and initiates concerted voluntary conservation
measures to avoid or reduce shortages, relieve stressed sources and forestall
the need to impose mandatory water use restrictions. Development of alternate
sources is initiated where and as appropriate. The objective of voluntary water
conservation measures during a drought warning is to reduce overall water uses
by 10-15% in the affected areas. Because of varying conditions, individual water
suppliers or municipalities may be asking for more stringent conservation actions.