Recommended Next Steps

This thesis is rather broad and gives a general overview of many components of the WSSMP. I believe that one of the main strengths of the work is that it is so comprehensive. However, that is also a weakness. This section is provided to make recommendations for future research based on what I learned from the WSSMPs.

• Program Evaluations: None of the WSSMPs demand management programs are evaluated on a statewide level. It is also unclear to what extent they are evaluated on a water supply system level. Yet the state continues to require the water suppliers to implement the RRP and the MUTAP. A detailed program evaluation of either the MUTAP or the RRP would be a helpful tool for the state agencies and water suppliers to make better decisions regarding the requirements of and the funding allocated to these programs.
• Rates: It would be helpful to conduct an in-depth analysis of the impact of the Rhode Island water rate on water use. Because the plans are required to include historical water use data and presumably, the water suppliers have historical rate data, one could determine to what extent rates change water use behavior in Rhode Island.
• Outdoor Water Use: A correlation between outdoor water use restrictions and outdoor water use would be helpful. The WSSMPs do not contain historical monthly data about average daily demand per system. However, if this data were available, water use restrictions could be compared with actual water use during the times of the implemented restrictions and a correlation could be made as to the effectiveness of such restrictions.