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Governors from the Western states, including Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, are brainstorming how to meet a growing demand for water in the region in times when the resource is shrinking.
"We recognize the problems," said Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, "but we have to ramp up our efforts in achieving greater water efficiency and reuse and in addressing new infrastructure to store water."
As governors wrapped up a two-day meeting in Las Vegas on Wednesday, they discussed such solutions as improving efficiency, water banking and refurbishing aging water systems. The governors and speakers from government agencies and the private sector agreed that conservation alone will not be enough to solve the problem.
"The water supply and demand equation is out of balance," said Anne Castle, assistant secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of Interior.
Herbert called water "the lifeblood of the West."
"The appropriate development and allocation of water," the Republican governor said, "is essential to addressing the growth needs in Utah and throughout the West."
The new National Climate Service and updating the Endangered Species Act also were on the bipartisan group's agenda.