Historical trends of residential water use in California: Effects of droughts and conservation policies
Ju-Hee Lee, Mehdi Nemati, Ariel Dinar
Abstract
Abstract Conservation efforts to reduce residential water use have a long history in California. This article examines residential water use changes, measured by gallons per capita per day (GPCD), using a comprehensive monthly panel dataset of California's public water agencies during 1994–2019. We find that, on average, GPCD was reduced by 34% in 2019 when compared to 1994 levels. Controlling for the region, water source, and water agency characteristics suggest significant differences in policy performance. The differential effectiveness of conservation policies indicates a need to consider policy differentiation based on the agencies' objective and subjective conditions.
Topics & Concepts
Agency (philosophy)Per capitaWater conservationWater useAgricultural economicsNatural resource economicsGeographyEnvironmental scienceEnvironmental protectionBusinessEnvironmental planningEconomicsWater resourcesEcologyEnvironmental healthMedicineBiologyPopulationPhilosophyEpistemologyWater resources management and optimizationWater-Energy-Food Nexus StudiesUrban Stormwater Management Solutions