Southern California tackles water scarcity

April 26, 2013 | By Travis Mitchell

Southern California is taking steps to reduce its water imports by 40 billion gallons by 2035, according to a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). This is equivalent to the annual water use of over one million people.

Five regional water agencies will contribute to the conservation effort, which is a key part of curbing water scarcity in southern California. These include the City of Santa Monica, the City of Camarillo, Ventura County Water District No. 1, the Long Beach Water Department and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The analysis shows that each agency will lower its consumption by between 35 percent and 100 percent.

The NRDC report contends that the region's dense population and desert climate has heavily taxed the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta and Colorado River systems. The proposed reductions will be achieved through a number of water recycling and efficiency methods, including improved storm water and groundwater management. For example, Long Beach has retrofitted more than 800 residential lawns and is aiming to reduce water use by 100 gallons per person, per day.

In its analysis, the NRDC also provides tools for California residents to view where their water is coming from and what their local agency is planning in terms of conservation efforts.

For more
-see the report

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/southern-california-tackles-water-scarcity/2013-04-26