Regional Dashboard
Water
WATER-CONSUMPTION
WHAT IS THE MEASURE?
The average amount water consumed per person each day in San Diego County. This number includes residential, commercial and industrial consumption divided by the population of the water authority’s service area.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
- San Diego is a semi-arid climate with an average precipitation of about 10 inches per year. The region imports more than 85% of its water supply.
- Nearly 60% of our water supply is used by residences; landscaping is the largest residential water use, totaling 55% of residential consumption.
- Recent environmental and legal issues have put our water supply at risk, and aging infrastructure leaves us vulnerable should there be a natural disaster such as an earthquake.
- These challenges could be made worse by climate change in the future.
- As the region’s population grows and supplies are strained, our water will become more expensive.
- Water conservation is the most cost effective source of new water, and new state legislation calls for a 20% decrease in per capita water usage by 2020.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Per capita daily usage in the county was 164 gallons in 2009. There is a significant decrease from 2008 numbers due to mandatory drought conservation measures implemented in June 2009. San Diego County’s consumption numbers are comparable with averages calculated for southern California (170 gpd). However, it is becoming increasingly expensive to develop new sources of water to deal with the vulnerability of our supply and the need to accommodate mor
e people and business development in the next two decades. Equinox Center is working with community leaders to explore ways to use water more efficiently, recycle water, and implement drought tolerant landscaping. Many cities and regions globally have implemented effective practices that could be used here to reduce per capita consumption by at least 20%.
Residential water usage varies on an annual basis depending on the average precipitation in the county. The more it rains the less water we use.
LINKS TO ACTION
Information for San Diego residents and businesses on water conservation techniques. Here, you will also find information on programs and incentives as well as local water news and events.
http://www.20gallonchallenge.com/
Cuyamaca Water Conservation Garden: Extensive resources for water-wise gardeners and links to events, tours, and classes at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.
http://www.thegarden.org/waterWise.html
Information and tips on becoming water efficient. Here you will find a virtual tour to help investigate water-saving opportunities in each area of your home, and user-friendly tools and templates to help design water-smart landscapes.
Tools and tips for conserving water around the home and workplace, like the water savings calculator to help you find out how much you can save per day. Also, links to the community with videos, tweets, and tips for kids.
http://www.saveourh2o.org/
Resources for residents, businesses, builders, and developers on reducing water use. Here you will find information on rebates for water-saving devices, in-depth tutorials and information on creating a “California-friendly” garden, and links to landscape and gardening classes.
http://www.bewaterwise.com/tips01.html
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WATER-QUALITY
WHAT IS THE MEASURE?
The number of days San Diego beaches were closed or posted with advisories because of health risks on contact with water, as measured in beach mile days (# of days X length of beach posted with an advisory or closed)
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
- Activities upstream such as the use of pesticides on lawns, improper handling of pet waste, and inadequate maintenance of sewer infrastructure, can degrade water quality in rivers and streams.
- Beach areas near stream and drain outflows that contain high levels of microorganisms, viruses and chemicals make swimmers, surfers, fishermen and others who come in contact with the water ill.
- Recent studies have found that more than 50% of those who have frequent contact with the water in Imperial Beach have become ill after water contact, and more than 80% of water samples taken at Imperial Beach within 3 days of a rain event contain the Hepatitis A virus.
- Water quality is a key contributor to our quality of life and economy. Much of San Diego’s tourism industry (30 million visitors/year; $5.8 billion in direct spending) revolves around our beaches and bays.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Beaches had been posted with advisories or were closed for 113 beach mile days in 2007, the most recent year data was made available from the County. Closures and advisories declined from 2006 to 2007 partly because water quality tends to be better in drier years because there is less rain to carry pollutants down the watersheds to the beaches. Recent drought conditions have contributed to the improved water quality.
In addition, the county completed numerous storm drain diversions which prevents storm water overflow runoff and results in lower advisories, although Imperial Beach continues to be problematic due to sewage overflow in the Tijuana River. Over 1000 Hepatitis A shots were dispensed in 2009 to protect beachgoers from the Hepatitis A virus found in polluted water at Imperial Beach. Clearly, there is more we can do to protect our water quality, such as reducing use of fertilizers, continuing to enhance sewage infrastructure and reusing and recycling water. 
Another good measure of water quality is the number of impaired streams and river ways, and comprehensive data will be available later in 2010.
Links to Action:
San Diego Coastkeeper: Tips that San Diego residents can take around the house, when shopping, or when disposing of items to help prevent polluted runoff.
http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/content/takeAction/prevent/tips_homeB.htm
Here are some steps that you can take around the house to reduce storm water runoff, ultimately reducing pollution to local waterways.
http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Stormwater-Runoff-at-Your-Home
Do’s and Don’ts around the home to help reduce negative consequences of nonpoint-source pollution on drinking water, beaches, and wildlife.
http://www.epa.gov/owowwtr1/NPS/dosdont.html
Information on creating gardens that soak up rain water, reducing polluted runoff to storm drain systems and lessening chances of local flooding.
http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.gardens.pdf