Drought in California poses a serious threat to water resources in communities across the state. The continued effects of climate change will likely exacerbate periods of drought, rendering California’s current urban and suburban water supplies unreliable and insufficient.

This Issue Brief, produced in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council, , finds that captured stormwater runoff can be used to increase California’s water supplies dramatically. Stormwater capture is defined as either directing runoff to open spaces and allowing it to recharge groundwater supplies, or harvesting runoff from rooftops using rain barrels or cisterns for direct use in non-potable applications. Compared to other water conservation and efficiency measures, stormwater capture can be implemented relatively easily and cheaply, while significantly improving the resilience of California water supplies.

Issue Brief: The Untapped Potential of California’s Water Supply: Efficiency, Reuse, and Stormwater

Issue Brief: Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California 

Issue Brief: Urban Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California

Issue Brief: Water Reuse Potential in California

Fact Sheet: A Sustainable Water Future for California