But Mr. Hendrickson said the state requires a plan, and this is what local water officials have come up with.

The failure to curb demand through conservation measures would bring on staggering new capital costs, the water officials say.

So far, the conservation focus has been on large companies, but water officials say small businesses will have to conserve if the drought persists.

The Edinburgh letter was addressed to water officials.

But forecasters and water officials are hoping for a heavy storm.

Many water officials say the pollution could have been prevented.

But with the location and design thrown into question once again, the plant is unlikely to be operating any time near that date, water officials said.

Municipal water officials elsewhere in northern New Jersey are worried about the fate of their well fields.

The suit against Longhorn, though, attracted the attention of politicians and water officials in central Texas.

But even in towns where there are no problems now, water officials are worried about the prospect of a dry spring.