Thanks largely to conservation efforts, the San Diego County Water Authority’s latest water management plan envisions the region will use 14 percent less water in 2020 than originally forecast.
The latest draft of the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan was released for public review on Friday. It is available online.
The water authority estimates that future water demands will be about 14 percent lower in 2020 and 15 percent lower in 2035 compared to projections in the 2010 plan.
The reduction is due to changes in demographic and economic projections by the San Diego Association of Governments that were primarily driven by the Great Recession and long-term improvements in water-use efficiency by residents and businesses.
“We enjoy a safe and reliable water supply even during the current drought because earlier generations crafted long-term plans and carried them out,” said Bob Yamada, director of water resources for the water authority.
“As we look into the future, we remain very confident about the ability of the water authority and its 24 member agencies to support our vibrant region through a combination of locally controlled, drought-proof supplies and making the most of every drop,” Yamada said.
Under the plan, the water authority will buy considerably less water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California thanks, locally controlled supplies such as the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant.
