Water and Land Use The Efficiency Connection Mary

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 WA ND MT MN 8 ME NH SD OR 10 ID MI NV UT CO 7 5 3 OH IN OK LA GA AL 10 HI DE MD SC $Billions 4 FL 9 RI NC TX GU CT VA TN AR MS 6 AK PA WV KY NM MA NJ MO CA AZ 2 NY IA IL KS 1 VT WY NE 9 WI < $10 - $20 - $30 - $40 - $50 > $50 20 Year Drinking Water and Clean Water Infrastructure Needs by EPA Region

Effects of Growth Water Resources and Population Growth, 2000 -2020 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 Education Neighborhood Control Neighborhood #3 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”