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Regional Water Use Drops in August
Year-over-year figures show region
responding to calls for conservation
Water use in San Diego County dropped 6 percent in August 2014 compared to August 2013 even though temperatures last month were warmer than average - another sign that water conservation efforts are expanding countywide to combat serious drought conditions across California.
August was the first month after the Water Authority's Board of Directors declared a Drought Alert condition calling for mandatory water conservation measures to keep as much water as possible in storage for 2015. The Water Authority's 24 member agencies have been adopting mandatory water-use restrictions in recent weeks if they didn't already have them in place.
The year-over-year reduction in potable water use of 6 percent in August is based on figures reported to the Water Authority by member agencies. The savings is approximately 1.2 billion gallons - enough to serve about 20,000 residents for a year.
The decrease in August continued a positive trend that shows residents and businesses in San Diego County are working hard to save water despite getting little help from the weather. The average daily temperatures in August 2014 were about 2 degrees above normal, while temperatures were slightly below average in August 2013.
The Water Authority is not anticipating reductions to its imported water supplies this year that would trigger mandatory supply cutbacks to its member agencies; however, that could happen in 2015 if conditions don't improve.
Click here for more information on the region's water use during the drought.
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