The goal of water conservation planning is to achieve more efficient use of the state’s limited water resources.  The primary objectives of a municipal water conservation plan are to develop long-term water use efficiency and short-term water emergency plans to assure an adequate supply of water to meet customer needs.  The chief engineer of the Division of Water Resources may require applicants for permits to appropriate water, water users with relatively high use, and water users applying for any state administered grant, loan or cost-share moneys for water-related projects to develop water conservation plans, as per K.S.A. 82a-733. Any conservation plans and practices required by the chief engineer with regard to any groundwater right or permit to appropriate groundwater from within the boundaries of a groundwater management district are subject to approval by both the chief engineer and the board of directors of the groundwater management district.

The Kansas Water Office develops and maintains guidelines for municipal water conservation plans, current guidelines are available in the 2023 Municipal Water Conservation Plan Guidelines. 

A public-water supplier may be required to develop a water conservation plan as a condition of a water right, involvement in a program or as a condition of a grant.  Many Suppliers recognize the value of water conservation for their community and voluntarily develop a water conservation plan.  The Kansas Rural Water Association provides free technical assistance for developing municipal water conservation plans.