Right now, Oklahoma is in the midst of a protracted "time of plenty" as far as water is concerned.

Has been since the early 1980s.

But according to Kyle Arthur, a planner with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, that can -- and will -- change.

"There are booms and busts and we must be prepared," Arthur said. "Those rough times will come."

In fact, a short dry spell in the mid-2000s was enough to convince Oklahoma legislators to spend about $5 million on a new water plan for the state, which will be the third, once it's completed in late 2011.

Arthur said the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan is an update of previous plans, which were completed in 1980 and 1995, and has been in the works for about four years. He said the plan is focused on identifying a reliable supply for the state 50 years into the future and beyond.

Along with Bryan Mitchell, an engineer who has been working the OWRB to develop the new plan, Arthur answered audience questions regarding the state's water during the City of Norman's second of eight public forums on water sustainability.

Reusing water

Arthur said officials have two groups looking at marginal-quality water, including wastewater and runoff water, and aquifer recharge, where water is pumped underground during times of ample supply.

The OWRB encourages the reuse of water, although Arthur believes the pricey technology for treating wastewater -- not to mention the state and federal regulations that will govern its use -- represent the "biggest hurdles" to its widespread use in the foreseeable future.

Mitchell said wastewater isn't included in the OCWP and that he doesn't think it will make it into the latest installation.

Arthur also said reusing water isn't "a cure-all" and costs a lot of money, adding that it also infringes on water rights of other stakeholders.

Demand

projections

Arthur said the state's water demand projections are based on "sophisticated statistical models, some assumptions" and work groups from around the state who provided input to ensure estimates were as accurate as possible.