Myths of California Water: Virtual Tour

Myth

California’s water system would work well if it were not for wasteful homeowners in Southern California.

Reality

The image of Southern Californians as water villains is based on misperception of actual water use practices across the state. Average water use per person in the South Coast is, in fact, among the lowest in California.

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Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District Conservation Poster. Source: MWD
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Water utilities in the South Coast also provide significant incentives for conservation. For instance, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has spent more than $185 million over the last decade encouraging adoption of water-efficient appliances, drought-resistant landscapes, and other conservation practices.

Regional Per Capita Water Use in California Zoom in
Regional Per Capita Water Use in California Zoom out
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Overall, the South Coast used nearly 450,000 acre-feet less water in 2005 than a decade earlier, despite having 2.4 million additional residents.

Heritage Park Xeriscaping
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The urban sector as a whole accounts for just over 20 percent of water use in California, and utilities in virtually every region are working to reduce per capita use. Making one region into a villain oversimplifies the complex water demands in California and suggests that water conservation is a bigger issue in one region or one sector rather than for the state as a whole.

Further Reading

  • Dziegielewski B. and D. Baumann. 1992. Tapping Alternatives: The benefits of managing urban water demands. Environment Vol. 34 Issue 9 pp 6-13
  • Hanak, E., J. Lund, A. Dinar, B. Gray, R. Howitt, J. Mount, P. Moyle, Barton “Buzz” Thompson (2010), “Myths of California Water – Implications and Reality,” West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, Vol. 16, No. 1, Winter 2010.
  • Hanak, E and M. Davis. 2006. Lawns and Water Demand in California. Public Policy Institute of California: www.ppic.org
  • Hildebrand M, Gaur S, and Salt KJ. 2009. Water conservation made legal: Water budgets and California law. Journal of American Water Works Association Vol 101 Issue 4
  • Maddaus ML, Maddaus WO, Torre M, and Harris R. 2008. Innovative water conservation supports sustainable housing development. Journal of American Water Works Association Vol 100 Issue 5
  • Medellin-Azuara et al. 2008. Adaptability and adaptations of California’s water supply system to dry climate warming. Climatic Change Vol 87
  • Metropolitan Water District of Southern California website: http://www.mwdh2o.com/