Californians Cutting Back on Water Usage: Report

It seems that Californians are beginning to catch on to the fact that it’s time to cut back on water. According to the State Water Resources Control Board, a 7.5 percent reduction of urban water usage was recorded statewide in July, compared to the same time last year.

This news comes after the sate passed a series of mandatory drought restrictionswhich can result in hefty fines for water waters. However, those restrictions weren’t in effect until July 29.

Though we’re still not at the governor’s goal of a 20 percent reduction, it appears residents may finally be taking note of the severe drought the state is in, and the overall decreasing water supply.

The 7.5 percent drop in water usage represents:

• 17 billion gallons of water
• the equivalent to 25,755 Olympic-sized swimming pools
• enough water for 1.7 billion people each to take a 5-minute shower

“We are glad to see the progress that many more California urban communities have made to conserve water,” said Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Board. “Every action, from taking a shorter shower, to putting a lawn on a water diet, to replacing turf with drought-tolerant landscaping, contributes to every community’s water security.

“While this initial report is an improvement, we hope and trust that it is just a start. Countless Californians see and feel the effects of this drought and know that we still are facing a drought that may be far from over– others still do not and can and should step up. Wasting precious potable water today imperils our communities’ future.”

The State Water Board says that the July water drop represents numbers reported by 87 percent of urban water suppliers, who in turn represent 97 percent of the population served.

“Some northern California communities facing acute water shortages have dramatically reduced their water consumption by as much as 40-50 percent,” the water board reported.

As for SoCal, conservation efforts have been “aggressive,” according to the water board.

“Approximately 2.5 million square feet of turf was removed from residential properties in Southern California in July (1665 front yards), while an additional 4.7 million square feet of turf was removed from commercial properties in Southern California in July (82 football fields),” the agency reports.

Water usage also fell in June, by 4.4 percent.

Figures for August, the first full month when water use restrictions were in effect, are expected later this month.

(Image via Shutterstock)