Total Water Usage
The Orange County Water District estimates that when final number become available, they will show the amount of water used during the last fiscal year (1990-91) increased by 2.4% from 1989-90. The total includes all water produced or obtained from a variety of sources, including ground water, seasonal storage from rainfall and supplemental water. Supplemental water is available from Metropolitan Water District’s Colorado River supply and its State Water Project, as well as Orange County Water District’s Water Factory 21 facilities.
More than half the water used during 1990-91 (56%) was drawn from ground water supplies. Supplemental water accounted for 39%.
The OCWD service area includes virtually all of the county north of the El Toro “Y” (the intersection of the San Diego Freeway and Interstate 5 in Irvine).
Here’s the usage trend for each of the last four years in acre-feet (an acre-foot is equal to 325,000 gallons or approximately the amount needed by a family of five for one year):
Amount of Water Used in Acre-Feet 1987-88: 489,609 1988-89: 507,380 1989-90: 501,000 1990-91: 513,000
Source of Water Used in Acre-Feet (Fiscal year 1990-91) Ground water: 289,000 Supplemental water: 201,000 Seasonal storage: 20,000 Other: 3,000 TOTAL: 513,000 Source: Orange County Water District
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