Providing a reliable supply of water requires being prepared for water shortages of varying degree and duration, and preparing for drought and water shortages before they occur is the best defense. A Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) enables a water supplier to assess the risks and reduce the vulnerability of a community to drought impacts and establishes priorities that will provide water for public health and safety and minimize impacts on economic activity, environmental resources, and the region's lifestyle.

M60 will help water managers facing water shortages by illustrating how to employ tried-and-true strategies and tactics of drought mitigation, as well as introducing new tools and methods. The manual accomplishes this by providing a step-by-step process to anticipate and respond to water shortages through a structured planning process.