Water and Land Use: The Efficiency Connection

Mary Ann Dickinson Executive Director California Urban Water Conservation Council

Water Resources in the USA Total Withdrawals

Infrastructure Costs

10 WA OR 10 CA AK NV 9 ID UT AZ MT GU WY 8 CO NM HI 9 ND SD NE 7 6 KS TX OK MN IA MO AR LA WI MS IL 5 AL VT NH 1 ME TN MI NY NC 2 IN KY OH WV 3 VA PA DE MD CT NJ RI MA GA 4 SC FL $ Billions

< $10 $10 - $20 $20 - $30 $30 - $40 $40 - $50 > $50 20 Year Drinking Water and Clean Water Infrastructure Needs by EPA Region

Water Resources and Population Growth, 2000-2020 Source: DOE/NETL (M. Chan, July 2002) Effects of Growth

600,000 people and over 200,000 homes per year

Residential Water Usage

Faucets 6% Other 7% Toilets 11% Baths 1% Dish Washers 1% Landscape 58% Clothes Washers 9% Showers 7% Source:

AWWRF Residential End Uses of Water, 1999

AB 2717

• Became law September, 2004 • CUWCC formed Landscape Task Force to review landscape water issues, make recommendations for improvements • Representatives from water suppliers, landscape & building industries, cities & counties, environmental groups, and state & federal agencies

We Finished It!

• 43 recommendations • 76 specific actions to implement the recommendations • Top 12 • AB 1881 submitted

New Technology Programs

Et Weather Data For Irrigation Scheduling

The Study Area

Study Objectives • Characterize Runoff Quantity and Water Quality – Dry Weather – Storm Conditions • Evaluate Methods of Reducing Runoff

Study Design

Control Neighborhood #1 Control Neighborhood #2 Control Neighborhood #3 Education Neighborhood Retrofit and Education Neighborhood = Water quality and flow monitoring locations Flows to San Diego Creek and Newport Bay

Study Findings • 41.2 gpd saved annual average with ET controllers and education • 25.6 gpd saved with education • 64-71% runoff flow reduction in combined area • 79% runoff reduction in one specific neighborhood

Study Implications • Landscape water not just a drought issue or even a peaking issue • Multiple environmental benefits of regional and statewide significance • An important partner in basin management: Runoff reduction, pollutant reduction, reduced wastewater treatment, reduced green waste management

Green Building Issues

• LEED (USGBC) only awards 6 points for water efficiency • LEED Water Efficiency Technical Advisory Group working to make significant improvements (Council participation) • Other green building initiatives similarly weak on water efficiency • “California Friendly” and “Smart from the Start” pilot programs in California

California Friendly “ Active Family”