What would rationing look like?

I promise it isn't 'All-Drought, All-The-Time' here at Safe As Houses, but I was curious to find out what exactly Step F would be. Or, more to the point, if it's rationing, what that would entail. The best way to examine that would be to consider the rationing policies of other communities.

High Point, N.C. has water rationing as its fourth and final phase of water conservation policy. It grants the director of public services the authority to limit water service to different portions of the city on a rotating basis, which I would assume means service would be discontinued to certain areas during certain time periods.

Cary, N.C. has a similar policy, though theirs also includes a measure for higher prices for increased usage.

Across the ocean in Australia, water rationing involves allocating a certain amount of water per household or business rather than relying on the rolling dryouts.

Arguably, there would be some drawbacks to rationing. Its economic impact would be very severe for a variety of industries (there was a news story last night that detailed the struggle facing Dalton where the carpet industry uses 40 percent of the city's water supply), while there would also be the distinct possibility that hoarding would emerge and offset any real conservation measures.