Interactive Map: California Counties by Per Capita Daily Water Usage (Fresno: house, landscaping)

[18Montclair]

Interesting.

Interactive Map: Water Use Per Capita in California - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/1431106.html - broken link)

[Charles]

From the article "Counties along the coast tend to use much less water per resident than inland counties."

Before I read that and after I looked at the map, I was thinking population density is inversely proportional to per capita water use. Or, agricultural areas have more water use per capita.

[sav858]

I wonder if weed growing operations are part of the reason Humboldt County is so high b/c it's one of the wettest areas of CA in addition to it being foggy and cool much of the year.

[esmith143]

Originally Posted by Charles

From the article "Counties along the coast tend to use much less water per resident than inland counties."

Before I read that and after I looked at the map, I was thinking population density is inversely proportional to per capita water use. Or, agricultural areas have more water use per capita.

I think that's it. Even in coastal counties, agriculture consumes two thirds or more of all water. 250 gallons/resident/day is quite a lot, it's hard for an urban dweller to spend that much (one 10-min shower = 30-50 gallons, one toilet flush - 1.5 gallons).

[Rhenzanite]

Originally Posted by esmith143

I think that's it. Even in coastal counties, agriculture consumes two thirds or more of all water. 250 gallons/resident/day is quite a lot, it's hard for an urban dweller to spend that much (one 10-min shower = 30-50 gallons, one toilet flush - 1.5 gallons).

They didn't count agricultural water use.

I know that in SLO county there has been a big push to use less water over the last few years. I've also noticed there are less lawns and more drought resistant landscaping (with native plants) than in many other areas.

I wonder if lawn and landscaping watering has a large part in this.

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by esmith143

I think that's it. Even in coastal counties, agriculture consumes two thirds or more of all water. 250 gallons/resident/day is quite a lot, it's hard for an urban dweller to spend that much (one 10-min shower = 30-50 gallons, one toilet flush - 1.5 gallons).

Agriculture and industrial uses are left out.

From the bottom of the map page:
Note: Figures show water usage from public water supply, minus use for industry and irrigation, divided by population taking public water (no well water included).

[grimstuff]

Notice that counties with a lot of large-lot, single family homes have the highest water usages--mainly Central Valley cities like Bakersfield, Modesto, Fresno, etc. and Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Also, Central Valley was built on easily obtainable water from the enormous groundwater supply. That groundwater has been drastically reduced, but their water needs were met by the Central Valley water projects due to the importance of water being available for all that government-subsidized agriculture. Low cost, high-water-consuming development piggy-backed on water for ag land. Also, a lot of central valley cities do not meter their water use for residential customers.

[bellalunatic]

Are Indian Gaming Casinos considered industrial use? I doubt it, and the counties and the casinos seem to line up well....just a thought.

California Casinos SuperSite also Maps, Photos!

California State Association of Counties CA County Map

[DMenscha]

I think the data is skewed a bit in rural counties. I'll bet at least 1/3 of my county residents are on well water which is not metered.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Coastal urban county properties are generally lots of house and little land (I realize there are exceptions, but this is the general trend). To boot, lots of folks pave substantial portions of that small land. There you have it.