California is one of the most heavily populated regions in the United States, and requires a tremendous amount of water. Unfortunately, most of California is arid, with little in the way of local water resources. Los Angeles and the farms of the Inland Empire are sustained with water that is imported, whether it is from distant snow packs or the Colorado River. Unfortunately, the California water crisis has demonstrated that the demand for clean water is rapidly out pacing available supplies.
The Rise of Demand in California
As California has continued to grow, the demand for potable water has radically increased. This is not simply for drinking, as industry, farming, and recreation all require vast amounts of H2O. Lush and green golf courses, gardens and landscapes all demand extensive watering, especially when they use plants that are not native to California's arid conditions.
In terms of the use of H2O, while the total percentages have varied depending on the analyzing authority and date, the following is a rough approximation of overall H2O use in California:
• H2O Utilized for Industrial purposes: 33 percent.
• H2O utilized for residential purposes, including gardens and internal use: 39 percent.
• H2O utilized for agriculture purposes, including crops and livestock: 28 percent.
However, the over all supply of water has remained relatively static and is even declining as California's population increases. For example, snow pack levels have consistently been lower than predicted, which in turn reduces the amount of water available from runoff. More importantly, increasing population growth in other Southwestern states has reduced the amount of surplus Colorado River water available for California's use, aggravating the California water crisis.
Smart Water Use and Beating the Crisis
With the inability to increase supply, California must reduce its demand, especially in the face of a growing urban and rural population. The most effective way this can be achieved is by the use of various water conservation strategies in order to meet the California water crisis head-on.
These techniques can include the following:
• Using native Californian plants to reduce H2O usage for landscaping.
• Replacing older plumbing systems with modern efficient toilets, showers and washing machines.
• Watering lawns at dusk and nighttime rather than watering them during the day.
• Minimizing the use of H2O for unnecessary purposes such as washing cars or driveways.
Creating a Sustainable Water Use Policy
By avoiding the overuse of water, Californians can beat the California water crisis and ensure that the state retains sufficient reserves for its current and future needs. Creating a sustainable strategy for water usage and securing the state's future is a mission that requires the assistance of every California citizen.
The Rise of Demand in California
As California has continued to grow, the demand for potable water has radically increased. This is not simply for drinking, as industry, farming, and recreation all require vast amounts of H2O. Lush and green golf courses, gardens and landscapes all demand extensive watering, especially when they use plants that are not native to California's arid conditions.
In terms of the use of H2O, while the total percentages have varied depending on the analyzing authority and date, the following is a rough approximation of overall H2O use in California:
• H2O Utilized for Industrial purposes: 33 percent.
• H2O utilized for residential purposes, including gardens and internal use: 39 percent.
• H2O utilized for agriculture purposes, including crops and livestock: 28 percent.
However, the over all supply of water has remained relatively static and is even declining as California's population increases. For example, snow pack levels have consistently been lower than predicted, which in turn reduces the amount of water available from runoff. More importantly, increasing population growth in other Southwestern states has reduced the amount of surplus Colorado River water available for California's use, aggravating the California water crisis.
Smart Water Use and Beating the Crisis
With the inability to increase supply, California must reduce its demand, especially in the face of a growing urban and rural population. The most effective way this can be achieved is by the use of various water conservation strategies in order to meet the California water crisis head-on.
These techniques can include the following:
• Using native Californian plants to reduce H2O usage for landscaping.
• Replacing older plumbing systems with modern efficient toilets, showers and washing machines.
• Watering lawns at dusk and nighttime rather than watering them during the day.
• Minimizing the use of H2O for unnecessary purposes such as washing cars or driveways.
Creating a Sustainable Water Use Policy
By avoiding the overuse of water, Californians can beat the California water crisis and ensure that the state retains sufficient reserves for its current and future needs. Creating a sustainable strategy for water usage and securing the state's future is a mission that requires the assistance of every California citizen.
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