Effective Water Supply Planning in Uncertain Times

Abstract

Master planning requires both flexibility and development of firm conclusions on which future decisions can be based. This paper uses the recent Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMW A) Master Plan Update to illustrate how to satisfy both these objectives. In the CCMW A Update, this balance was particularly elusive due to uncertainties in the regional water supply arena which could have significant bearing on the CCMW A's long-term options. To achieve this balance, the Plan identified distinct short and long-term actions which would allow "mid-course corrections" as well as long-term alternatives which covered a range of possibilities.