Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California – Issue Brief

California’s agricultural production is the largest in the United States, and uses about 80 percent of the state’s developed water supply. As such a large water user, wide-scale implementation of water conservation and efficiency measures in the agricultural sector is key to achieving a more sustainable water future for California. While farmers have made progress in improving irrigation technology and practices, this report asserts that more can and should be done. The report finds that water efficiency–defined as measures that reduce water use without affecting the benefits that water provides–has the potential to reduce agricultural water use by up to 22%. The authors recommend investments and shifts towards more efficient irrigation techniques. Some of the conserved water could be redirected to other consumptive uses, such as drinking water in urban areas. Water efficiency measures also help reduce vulnerability to drought and other unpredictable conditions. Conservation and efficiency potential was calculated based on implementation of the following techniques:
Key findings include:
Issue Brief: The Untapped Potential of California’s Water Supply: Efficiency, Reuse, and Stormwater Issue Brief: Urban Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California Issue Brief: Stormwater Capture Potential in Urban and Suburban California Issue Brief: Water Reuse Potential in California Fact Sheet: A Sustainable Water Future for California Overview
Key Findings
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