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 > $50 $40 - $50 $30 - $40 $20 - $30 $10 - $20 < $10 $ Billions 20 Year Drinking Water and Clean Water Infrastructure Needs by EPA Region AK 10 HI 9 GU

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

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

Residential Water Usage 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 Flows to San Diego Creek and Newport Bay = Water quality and flow monitoring locations

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” California Friendly “ Active Family”