Researchers say California's cities have big potential to use water more efficiently while taking advantage of stormwater and recycled wastewater
Green lawns, old appliances and leaky pipes all consume significant amounts of California’s water, and researchers have calculated in a new study that the state could reduce water use by more than 30% in cities and suburbs by investing in measures to use water more efficiently.
The state’s total urban water use is estimated at 6.6 million acre-feet per year. The study found that a host of existing technologies and standard practices could improve efficiency to reduce total urban use between 30% and 48%. These efficiency measures include fixing leaks in water pipes, replacing inefficient washing machines and toilets, and replacing lawns with plants suited to California’s dry climate, among other things.
The study’s authors said they found the biggest water-saving potential in the South Coast region of Southern California, which includes Los Angeles and San Diego, in large part because it’s home to more than half the state’s population, but also because it has lots of outdoor landscaping, a hotter climate than the Bay Area, a large quantity of wastewater and many areas where stormwater could be captured.
“These strategies are proven, they’re cost effective, and they can provide water supply reliability,” Cooley said. While proposals for new dams are debated for their economic costs and viability, Gleick said, the total water-storing potential of the proposed dam projects that are most plausible “is nowhere near the volumes of water that we’re talking about here.”
Gleick shared a personal example from his home. A few years ago, he replaced his old 6-gallon-per-flush toilets with new toilets that met the efficient standards at the time, and used 1.6 gallons per flush. Now the current standard has come down further to less than 1.3 gallons per flush.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tish Cyrus Files for Divorce From Billy Ray Cyrus After Nearly 30 Years of MarriageTish Cyrus has filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus for the third time, Billboard can confirm.
Read more »
“This was an execution”: Man sentenced to 30 years for murder of his cousin in ArvadaIsiah Alexander Bennett was sentenced Friday for the murder of 26-year-old Raymond Jutting on June 27, 2020.
Read more »
The first solar eclipse of 2022 is coming on April 30The first solar eclipse of 2022 is less than a month away, occurring on April 30 across parts of Antarctica, the southern tip of South America and the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Read more »
Baby formula shortage 2022: Stores ration sales with nearly 30% of popular brands sold outStores ration sales of baby formula with nearly 30% of popular brands sold out
Read more »
Baby formula shortage 2022: Stores ration sales with nearly 30% of popular brands sold outA shortage of baby formula has stores rationing sales with nearly 30% of popular brands sold out
Read more »
Honda plans to invest $40 billion on EVs and launch 30 models by 2030 | EngadgetHonda plans to invest $40 billion on EVs and launch 30 models by 2030
Read more »