Patterns and controlling factors of residential water use in Los Angeles, California

International Water Association (IWA) Publishing | May 19th, 2014

The current study evaluates residential water use patterns and driving factors across Los Angeles, California. Ten years of monthly residential water data were obtained f

The current study evaluates residential water use patterns and driving factors across Los Angeles, California. Ten years of monthly residential water data were obtained from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Socio-economic, vegetation characteristics, climate, and water pricing data were utilized to develop a statistical model to determine controlling factors of single-family residential water use. Key drivers were found to be household income, landscape greenness, water pricing, household volume allocation, precipitation and temperature. Results show that low water users are less sensitive to climate variability than high water users, likely because these customers have reduced outdoor water use. In the lower income group, average household size is a predictor for household water consumption, which increases with more residents. Lower water users are also more sensitive to changes in their first level household water allocation (Tier 1). However, low, medium and high water users all respond more to changes in the Tier 1 rate than the Tier 2 rate, and generally reduce consumption if this block rate is increased.

Petition for 2023 Drought Emergency Regulation or Other Emergency Action to Protect Nesting Birds, Water Quality, and other Public Trust Resources at Mono Lake

Mono Lake Committee | December 16th, 2022

Pilot Projects to Increase Colorado River System Water in Lake Powell and Lake Mead

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | January 14th, 2022

From calendar year 2015 through 2018, 64 projects were implemented in the Upper Basin resulting in an estimated 47,280 acre-feet of Colorado River System water conserved

From calendar year 2015 through 2018, 64 projects were implemented in the Upper Basin resulting in an estimated 47,280 acre-feet of Colorado River System water conserved in the Upper Basin at a cost of $8.5 million or $180.23 per acre-foot on average. From January 2015 through December 31, 2019 in the Lower Basin, 16 projects were implemented which will result in 175,347 acre-feet of Colorado River System water in Lake Mead by 2035, at a cost of approximately $29.8 million or $170.14 per acre-foot on average. The Pilot Program successfully demonstrated that voluntary, compensated water conservation projects can conserve water for Colorado River System storage to help mitigate the impacts of drought.

Potable Reuse 101: An innovative and sustainable water supply solution

American Water Works Association (AWWA) | April 14th, 2016

Both the quality and quantity of conventional water supplies are increasingly affected by population growth, urbanization, prolonged and severe droughts, and climate chan

Both the quality and quantity of conventional water supplies are increasingly affected by population growth, urbanization, prolonged and severe droughts, and climate change. Consequently, finding the opportunities to develop new groundwater or surface water sources is becoming more challenging. With an increased pressure on water systems, a diversified portfolio of water sources is required to meet future water demands, ensure public health, and provide economic and environmental sustainability. Many communities are working to increase water conservation and seek new strategies to develop sustainable water supplies for the future. For that reason, there is a clear need to use our existing local water resources effectively to produce and provide reliable, high-quality water. One viable approach to address existing and anticipated water shortages is to implement water reuse in which used water from homes and businesses is highly treated and used to augment public water supplies.

Priorities for California’s Water

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | November 14th, 2022

This report considers the state of water in California: What changes are we seeing now, and what should we expect in the near future? Then it examines how these climate s

This report considers the state of water in California: What changes are we seeing now, and what should we expect in the near future? Then it examines how these climate shifts will impact urban and rural communities, agriculture, and the environment. Finally, it explores wet-year strategies that will help Californians get through the dry years.

Public Review Draft Report to the Legislature on the Results of the Indoor Residential Water Use Study

Publisher not available | May 11th, 2021

Water planning has always been important for urban retail water suppliers (Suppliers) but is even more critical today, as development progresses and California grapples w

Water planning has always been important for urban retail water suppliers (Suppliers) but is even more critical today, as development progresses and California grapples with frequent droughts and expected long-term climate impacts. Prior to the adoption of the Urban Water Management Planning (UWMP) Act in 1983, there were no specific requirements that mandated urban water suppliers to conduct long-term water resources planning. While many Suppliers did conduct long-term water planning, those that did not were more vulnerable to supply disruptions during dry periods and catastrophic events. Urban water management planning is needed at the local level because only local Suppliers have the knowledge and ability to tailor their planning to their unique conditions and involve their local community in the planning effort. Click here for the DWR press release

Pure Water Southern California

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) | March 29th, 2024

Recommendations to the State Water Resources Control Board Pursuant to California Water Code Section 10609

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | September 29th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is pleased to provide the following recommendations developed in response to the 2018 Legislation (Senate Bill 606 [Hertzberg] and

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is pleased to provide the following recommendations developed in response to the 2018 Legislation (Senate Bill 606 [Hertzberg] and Assembly Bill 1668 [Friedman]) enacted in support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life.” The Legislation included provisions for advancing urban water use efficiency through developing and implementing various water use efficiency standards, variances for unique uses of water, and commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) performance measures, among other requirements. Full reports detailing our methods, technical analyses, studies, public input, and recommendations will follow. These recommendations for long-term urban water use efficiency reflect technical considerations, public input, and the imperative to continue California’s progress in urban efficient use of water for future generations. If adopted DWR's recommendations on outdoor residential and CII water use on landscapes with dedicated irrigation meters, combined with the indoor residential water use standard recommendations submitted to the Legislature jointly by DWR and State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), pursuant to Water Code 10609.4 (b)(1), would result in expected long-term water savings of approximately 450,000 acre-feet per year starting in 2030 – considering 2019 population and 2017-2019 water use data, the water savings are enough to supply about 1.6 million homes or 4.7 million residents for both indoor and outdoor annual water needs.

Redefining expectations for urban water supply systems to fight wildfires

Springer Nature | March 5th, 2025

When considering massive new costs for urban water systems to fight wildfires, we also need to look hard at the distribution of benefits from these investments, and desig

When considering massive new costs for urban water systems to fight wildfires, we also need to look hard at the distribution of benefits from these investments, and design legal and fiscal cost recovery mechanisms that align with those benefits. In the service area for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, greatly expanding capacity for water supply and fire-flow for the highest-elevation areas of the city would be delivering a benefit to communities that are much wealthier, on average, than the rest of the city. There is danger of placing a burden on less-resourced households to pay for the protection of well-resourced households, which would compound existing and profound environmental inequities in the city.

Refinement of Rice Water Consumptive Use During the Growing Season — Sacramento Valley

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | June 6th, 2018

The purpose of this study is to evaluate crop water use for the most commonly grown paddy rice variety grown in the Sacramento Valley, M206, based on field data collected

The purpose of this study is to evaluate crop water use for the most commonly grown paddy rice variety grown in the Sacramento Valley, M206, based on field data collected from 2007 through 2009, and from 2011 through 2013. M206 was identified by the University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors as the most commonly grown rice variety in the study area. Phase I of this study was conducted by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), under contract with DWR. A brief description of both Phase I and Phase II have been included here to provide orientation as the progression of the work and linkages between each phase regarding the study results.