Stormwater Capture Potential in Urban and Suburban California

Communities throughout California are facing serious and growing threats to their ability to provide a safe, reliable supply of water. Drought, coupled with over-allocation of existing water sources, is affecting cities, farms, businesses, industries, and the environment all across the state. For many communities, 2013 was the driest year in a century, and the lack of precipitation has critical implications for the continued viability of surface water and groundwater resources that supply our cities.

The long-term effects of climate change are likely to exacerbate this. Capturing and using or storing stormwater runoff when it rains can help communities increase water supply reliability—so they have the water they need when it doesn’t.