Predicted Residential Water Demand

Orange County will be expanding home water demands on a much smaller scale than four or five other urbanized counties in Southern California. Between 1990 and the year 2010, projected residential water needs will increase 28%. Only Los Angeles County, with a 13% projected jump, will require a smaller increase. The forecast, which factors in effects of public information and conservation programs as well as building code requirements and price increase between 1980 and 1990, indicates Orange County’s residential water demand will increase from 383,800 to 489,900 acre-feet in 2010. An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons. Here’s how that increase compares to other counties in Southern California:

In Percent by County Los Angeles: 13% Orange: 28% San Diego: 34% San Bernardino: 70% Riverside: 100% Ventura: 42% Sources: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.