Long Term Water Demand Forecasting Practices for Water Resources and Infrastructure Planning

This project aims to describe models, methods and practices currently used to forecast long-term demand in support of water resources and infrastructure planning and management. To the extent possible, the project deliverables will discuss how current practices have evolved over time. The research team will consider the accuracy of different forecasting approaches by comparing actual with model-estimated demands and comment on the relative effectiveness of different approaches. The team will also identify the extent to which forecasting models, methods, practices and communications actually influence decisions about utility plans and actions. Finally, this project will develop recommendations to help improve the role and effectiveness of demand forecasting practices and different types of communication strategies on water resource and infrastructure planning and decision-making.