A delegation of California water experts recently toured Australian cities to get a handle on
how that country has responded to water shortages after 13 years of drought. Delegates were apparently struck by the effectiveness of conservation measures there. Water use is about 40 gallons per person, per day, including outdoor watering. California's per-capita average is 200 gallons. A huge difference!
Some of the conservation measures common in Australia are
still rare in the US, like rainwater tanks that capture water for
gardens and toilet flushing, dual-flush toilets, dual house plumbing
for recycled water and water-efficient appliances in virtually every
home.
Water use outdoors, which accounts for about half of consumption, is also much more efficient. Residents use hardy native plants with low-water needs instead of grass. Permeable pavement allows water to sink back into the ground rather than running down drains.
Desalination of ocean water is also common in most of Australia's major cities. But after visiting the plants some delegates came away thinking that conservation measures should be taken first because desalinized water is still fairly expensive. In addition, many water conservation programs involve retrofitting which would create green collar jobs in California.
In January, California will get to return the favor and show the Australians their Groundwater Replenishment System in Fountain Valley that treats
sewer water and uses it to recharge underground aquifers.
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