California?EUR??,,????'???s Thirst for Water

A study being released in August notes that over the next 25 years, water needs in California will increase by 40 percent because of population growth in the inland counties. That means conservation, water planning and recycling must be used to deal with the upcoming water shortage, which is likely to increase over the next several decades. Close to half of all the water used by inland homeowners goes to irrigating yards, compared to one third or less on the cooler and cloudier coast. California cities can also follow the example of Las Vegas, promoting the use of native plants while maintaining much smaller lawns. The Public Policy Institute says new developments, golf courses, parks, and roadway medians should all be designed to use recycled water, as some cities are doing already.

Source: Associated Press