SoCal water use drops to 35 year-low

Water use in Southern California has declined to a 35-year low according to a recent announcement by Southern California’s largest water wholesaler.

A new report by Metropolitan Water District to the California Legislature showed potable water use per person was down by 45 percent in 2023, a level not seen since 1990. Southern Californians used only 114 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) compared to 209 in 1990.

Metropolitan attributed the savings to their nearly $1 billion investment in conservation rebates and programs, along with the region’s commitment to embracing a conservation ethic.

“More than three decades ago, Metropolitan and other Southern California water agencies made a commitment to increase water reliability in Southern California by helping residents and businesses become more water efficient and by investing in more local water supplies. The reduction in water use highlighted today is the culmination of those efforts, and a measure of the success when programs, people, and purpose come together,” Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay said. “I want to thank Southern Californians for their efforts lowering their water use.”

One of the Metropolitan’s most popular conservation programs, the Turf Replacement Program, has incentivized the transformation of nearly 230 million square feet of thirsty lawns, saving enough water to serve about 82,000 homes annually.

The district also continued its efforts to increase awareness of Southern California’s water supply challenges and the need for increased water efficiency and investments in local water supplies to strengthen the region’s water resiliency.

Along with conservation, Metropolitan has prioritized increasing local water supply and local storage, which have helped to decrease the region’s reliance on imported water even as the population in its six-county service area has increased. Metropolitan currently has a record 3.8 million acre-feet of water in reservoirs and groundwater banks.