Idea by @Matt

Build infrastructure before housing. In 1960, the county population was 147k and no meaningful water storage has been built since that time. Now our population is 258k ... all using the same reservoirs. We get scolded about conserving and water bills rise consistently. We don't have an endless draught -- we have plenty of rain (on average). What we have is a water storage problem. Nature causes draughts; mismanagement causes water shortages. Don't build another house, condo, or apartment until the water capacity is built out for our existing population and 20 years of anticipated growth.