The following are declared to be the goals and policies of the state:

1. (1) To preserve and protect water supply watershed lands and prevent degradation of surface water and groundwaters;
2. (2) to protect groundwater recharge areas critical to existing and potential drinking water supplies;
3. (3) to make water resources conservation a priority in all decisions;
4. (4) to conserve water resources through technology, methods and procedures designed to promote efficient use of water and to eliminate the waste of water;
5. (5) to prevent contamination of water supply sources or reduction in the availability of future water supplies;
6. (6) to balance competing and conflicting needs for water equitably and at a reasonable cost to all citizens; and
7. (7) to reduce or eliminate the waste of water through water supply management practices.

(P.A. 89-327, S. 1, 7.)