4 ms·

I think the issue isn't only the lack of rain, it's the immense use of water. I read at some point recently farmers have moved to crops such as pistachio nuts

by steven2012 12y ago

I think the issue isn't only the lack of rain, it's the immense use of water. I read at some point recently farmers have moved to crops such as pistachio nuts which have high margins, but take something like 1 gallon of water per nut. And water usage in rich areas actually increased year-over-year, which is infuriating. We had rain throughout the winter, and even a couple of summer showers recently which is rare, and if you look at Crystal Springs reservoir, the water levels don't look as bad as some of the pictures you see on the news. So I think this is more a case of demand vs supply. What hasn't increased however, is our water rates. Places in Hillsborough, a rich area of SV, use in excess of 300 gallons per day to water their lawns, vs other areas. I personally have stopped watering my lawn down to zero, and my property is a big patch of dirt now. I think there should be a tax on people who want to water their lawn during these times, because it's so unimportant. For a household of 2 adults and 2 kids, we use less than 85 gallons per day, and my water bill is $15/month.

nathan-muir 12y ago
85 Gallons per day - Interestingly. In Australia [In my particular urban region] - that same usage would cost AUD$38 per month (Roughly $3.90 per 1000L)
nowarninglabel 12y ago
And yet, instead of raising prices, polls show we are looking to pass Prop 1, a terrible omnibus pork-barrel bill as our "solution" instead of just raising prices on water as should be happening. http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_1,_Water_Bond_(2014) http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_1,_Water_Bond_...
eitally 12y ago
Holy wow. My household of 2 adults and 2 kids (3 & 5yo ... they usually bathe together), we use between 80-100 gallons per day, which includes daily use of a high efficiency clothes washer and a reasonably efficient dishwasher. If I workout in the morning I often shower twice those days, at least during hot weather (because another of our conservation actions is keeping the thermostat at 80F during the day). Here are the water utility rates in the Raleigh area. Notice that non-residential rates are almost as low as Tier 1 but irrigation rates are the same as Tier 3. Residential Water Rates: Tier 1 = 0-4 CCF billed at $2.28 Tier 2 = 5-10 CCF billed at $3.80 Tier 3 = 11+ CCF billed at $5.07 Non-Residential Water Rate: $2.95 Irrigation Rate: $5.07 1 CCF = 748 gallons
dded 12y ago
> We had rain throughout the winter Snow would have been better. Rain fill the reservoirs, and then the excess must be spilled off. Snow sits in the mountains forming a huge natural reservoir, and the more gradual melt can be used more efficiently.

nathan-muir 12y ago

85 Gallons per day - Interestingly. In Australia [In my particular urban region] - that same usage would cost AUD$38 per month (Roughly $3.90 per 1000L)

nowarninglabel 12y ago

And yet, instead of raising prices, polls show we are looking to pass Prop 1, a terrible omnibus pork-barrel bill as our "solution" instead of just raising prices on water as should be happening. http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_1,_Water_Bond_(2014) http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_1,_Water_Bond_...

eitally 12y ago

Holy wow. My household of 2 adults and 2 kids (3 & 5yo ... they usually bathe together), we use between 80-100 gallons per day, which includes daily use of a high efficiency clothes washer and a reasonably efficient dishwasher. If I workout in the morning I often shower twice those days, at least during hot weather (because another of our conservation actions is keeping the thermostat at 80F during the day). Here are the water utility rates in the Raleigh area. Notice that non-residential rates are almost as low as Tier 1 but irrigation rates are the same as Tier 3. Residential Water Rates: Tier 1 = 0-4 CCF billed at $2.28 Tier 2 = 5-10 CCF billed at $3.80 Tier 3 = 11+ CCF billed at $5.07 Non-Residential Water Rate: $2.95 Irrigation Rate: $5.07 1 CCF = 748 gallons

dded 12y ago

> We had rain throughout the winter Snow would have been better. Rain fill the reservoirs, and then the excess must be spilled off. Snow sits in the mountains forming a huge natural reservoir, and the more gradual melt can be used more efficiently.