Dry-Year Water Supply Reliability Contracts: A Tool for Water Managers

The purpose of this guidebook is to provide an overview of what steps are needed to create an effective water acquisition program using a dry-year water supply reliability contracts ("reliability contracts"), as well as to provide the reader with a concise menu of decision and evaluation criteria. This guidebook examines design and implementation factors, as well as the challenges and potential shortcomings of utilizing a reliability contract. While reliability contracts have been used in the USA and elsewhere; they are not yet common and involve unique design considerations to accomplish the goals of a water acquisition program.