Water Transfers in Water Resource Systems

Water transfers are a common component of many regional water systems and are being increasingly considered for meeting growing water demands and for managing the impacts of drought.  Water transfers can take many forms and can serve a number of different purposes in the planning and operation of water resource systems. However, to be successful, water transfers must be carefully integrated with traditional water supply augmentation and demand management measures.  This integration requires increased cooperation among different water use sectors and resolution of numerous technical and institutional issues, including impacts to third parties.  This paper identifies the many forms that water transfers can take, some of the benefits they can generate, and the difficulties and constraints which must be overcome in their implementation.