Los Angeles Reduces Water Use 17% in One Year

It looks like water conservation not only works, it works fast. Last week, the City of Los Angeles announced that thanks to their aggressive water conservation efforts, the city has reduced its water consumption by 17% in just one year.

Los Angeles, like the rest of California, has been grappling with an intense drought and water supply concerns. To address these issues, the city implemented an aggressive - and successful - water conservation program. According to a press release from the city:

Thanks to Phase III water restrictions, Angelenos reduced their water use in July 2009 by more than 17% overall from the previous year. Single-Family Residential properties decreased usage by 20.1%; Multi-Family Residential properties decreased usage by 8.3%; Commercial properties decreased water usage by 17.1%; Industrial properties decreased usage by 21.8%; and Government properties decreased usage by 34.4%.

Now I’ll admit, the Phase III water restrictions implemented by LADWP - which included mandatory water use restrictions - would likely be seen as too draconian in most communities. Regardless, Los Angeles serves as yet another example of how water conservation can be utilized to meet short- and long-term water supplies challenges.

Plus, these water savings will surely help the city meet their greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets since LA receives water from some of the most energy intensive supplies in the world. It would be interesting if the city tried quantifying just how much energy they have saved through their water conservation efforts.

For more information on Los Angeles’ water conservation efforts, click here.