Typical water conservation ...

Typical water conservation efforts by the public still save less water than is usually lost to leakage (>20%) in municipal water systems.  The historical abundance and low cost of water has led to very poor water management practices.  Water policy makers must be made aware that the typical water distribution utility makes a PUC mandated/determined profit on all expenses -- including leakage loss.  There is thus little incentive to improve measurement at the utility level itself.  Political action is needed to make water policy makers understand the importance of accurate water audits, etc.