Two historical events have marked a heightened need for citizens and communities to help protect water as a natural resource:

* In the 1930's, severe drought and dust bowl conditions increased the need for water conservation; and

* In the 1970's, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to enforce water quality standards in the United States.

Today, communities are even more concerned about water conservation and quality because of more variable precipitation, increasing populations, expanding urban areas, and more polluntants in local waterways.