Patterns and controlling factors of residential water use in Los Angeles, California (original) (raw)
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Heterogeneous Responses to Water Conservation Programs: The Case of Residential Users in Los Angeles
2006
We propose a detailed analysis of heterogeneity in households' responses to water conservation programs (price increase, voluntary and mandatory conservation) during periods of water shortage. Using a unique dataset covering water consumption of all residential users in Los Angeles (California) during the drought (1988-1992), we show that households generally were responsive to the conservation measures but that the magnitude of households' responses varies depending on the instrument and on households' characteristics, in particular the size of their lot. Price elasticity is estimated between –0.29 and –0.47 in the high season (June-October), and between 0 and –0.19 in the low season (November-May). Results suggest that the voluntary conservation program [resp. mandatory conservation program] induced a reduction in water use which varies from 1 to 13% [resp. 21% to 29%] depending on the season and the size of the lot. The achieved reduction in consumption is however ver...
Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2015
Warmer and drier conditions over the past decade in California, in addition to court-mandated restrictions on the Sacramento River Delta water supply, have generally reduced the amount of water resources available to Southern California. These constraints on water supply led water agencies to implement a range of water conservation and watering restrictions programs, mostly targeted at outdoor use. The City of Los Angeles, the largest of 88 cities in the County of Los Angeles and the most populous in the United States, took several measures to attempt to reduce residential water consumption. Three phases of water restrictions were implemented during the 2008-2010 period: voluntary restrictions (FY2008), mandatory restrictions (FY2009), and yet more stringent mandatory restrictions combined with a price increase and a decrease in overall household allocations (FY2010). Our research aims at quantifying the impact of these increasing restrictions on single-family residential water use across the City. Ten years of monthly individual billing data (2000-2010) were obtained from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the municipal utility for the City. Monthly single-family customer water use records at the Public Use Microdata Area level from 2000 to 2007 were used to develop and validate a linear regression model that integrated unemployment and climate information during a period without restrictions. Predictions from the model were then compared to actual consumption to assess the impact of water restrictions during the 2008-2010 period. We also contrasted voluntary water restrictions counseled by LADWP with mandatory water use restrictions. Results show that more stringent mandatory outdoor watering restrictions combined with pricing measures were most effective and resulted in a 23% decrease in City average single-family water use during summer of FY2010. Voluntary restrictions in FY2008 were less effective in reducing water use.
Adaptation to climate change requires urban water providers to develop a complex understanding of how temperature affects water use patterns. We used a geographic information system and statistical analysis to compare the spatial relationships among single-family residential water use patterns, land use characteristics, and temperature in Portland, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona. We developed mean water use patterns at the census block group level using data from 2002 to 2009 in Portland and from 2000 to 2008 in Phoenix. These mean values were used to estimate the localized temperature sensitivity of water use in each census block group through an ordinary least squares regression with summer average air temperature. Taking the slopes of regression estimates as our dependent variable, we examined spatial relationships among temperature-sensitive water use patterns, housing density, impervious surfaces, low vegetation, and tree canopy extent. Temperature sensitive water use was found to be positively correlated with low vegetation and negatively correlated with impervious surfaces in both cities. Tree canopy coverage tends to increase with sensitivity in Portland, while the reverse relationship is found for Phoenix. Regression analysis indicates that building density explained the most variation in the dependent variable in Portland whereas, in Phoenix, the strongest correlations related to vegetation patterns. A comparative approach highlights the complex, localized correlations that exist among local climate regimes, urban landscapes, and water use patterns. Census block group-level water use analyses equips water providers with detailed information on the sensitivity of local water use to temperature variation, which could prove valuable to developing a viable municipal climate change adaptation strategy.
In the Portland metropolitan area, suburban growth in cities such as Hillsboro is projected to increase as people seek affordable housing near a burgeoning metropolis. The most significant determinants for increases in water demand are population growth, climate change, and the type of urban development that occurs. This study analyzes the spatial patterns of single family residential (SFR) water consumption in Hillsboro, Oregon, at the census block scale. The following research questions are addressed: (1) What are the significant determinants of SFR water consumption in Hillsboro, Oregon? (2) Is SFR water demand sensitive to drought conditions and interannual climate variation? To what magnitude do particular census blocks react to drought conditions and interannual climate variation? Using ordinary least squares multiple regression and spatial regression methods, we found that base use, representing indoor water use, is dependent on household size and that seasonal use, representing external water use is dependent on both education level and the size of the property's outdoor space. Spatial analysis techniques determined that although the water demand of the study area as a whole is not sensitive to drought conditions, certain individual census blocks do respond with a higher magnitude of water use. The most climate-sensitive census blocks tend to contain newer and larger homes, and have higher property values and more affluent and well-educated residents.
PLoS ONE, 2022
We propose that usable water is becoming more costly and difficult. The term “difficult” in this phrasing refers to the increased effort needed to access and process water. An example is desalination. “Costly” is a characteristic consequence of resorting to more difficult ways to supply water. These changes occur in the context of climate change, which in some cases reduces river flows. They also occur in the context of fresh groundwater depletion, meaning that nearby, inexpensive resources cannot meet demand. Water will not simply run out in most cases, but rather replacement supplies will be more costly and difficult. Reduced river flows and groundwater depletion as a result of climate change and population growth have increased the effort and difficulty accessing and processing water. In turn, residential water costs from municipal utilities are predicted to rise to unaffordable rates for poor residential water customers. Building on a regional conjunctive use model with future climate scenarios and 50-year future water supply plans, our study communicates the effects of climate change on poor people in El Paso, Texas, as water becomes more difficult and expensive to obtain in future years. Four scenarios for future water supply and future water costs were delineated based on expected impacts of climate change and groundwater depletion. Residential water use was calculated by census tract in El Paso, using basic needs indoor water use and evaporative cooling use as determinants of household water consumption. Based on household size and income data from the US Census, fraction of household income spent on water was determined. Results reveal that in the future, basic water supply will be a significant burden for 40% of all households in El Paso. Impacts are geographically concentrated in poor census tracts. Our study revealed that negative impacts from water resource depletion and increasing populations in El Paso will lead to costly and difficult water for El Paso water users. We provide an example of how to connect future resource scenarios, including those affected by climate change, to challenges of affordability for vulnerable consumers.
JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 2010
House‐Peters, Lily, Bethany Pratt, and Heejun Chang, 2010. Effects of Urban Spatial Structure, Sociodemographics, and Climate on Residential Water Consumption in Hillsboro, Oregon. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(3):461‐472. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2009.00415.x: In the Portland metropolitan area, suburban growth in cities such as Hillsboro is projected to increase as people seek affordable housing near a burgeoning metropolis. The most significant determinants for increases in water demand are population growth, climate change, and the type of urban development that occurs. This study analyzes the spatial patterns of single family residential (SFR) water consumption in Hillsboro, Oregon, at the census block scale. The following research questions are addressed: (1) What are the significant determinants of SFR water consumption in Hillsboro, Oregon? (2) Is SFR water demand sensitive to drought conditions and interannual climate variation? (3) To what ...
Residential Water Demand of Small Communities in New York State: A Note
Transactions of the Nebraska …, 1979
A number of studies have indicated that the demand for water is price elastic. This being the case, it has been argued that appropriate pricing policies would provide a means for conserving this valuable resource. The present study, however, reveals that the residential water demand of small communities in New York State is neither price nor income elastic and that conservation measures should focus upon alternative procedures. Circumstances in Nebraska, however, are likely to be considerably at variance with those typical of New York, and it is suggested that a similar study carried out in Nebraska could be beneficial.
The Grass Is Always Greener… Outdoor Residential Water Use in Texas
As Texas’ demand for water rises with increasing population, expanding our awareness of the ways we consume water becomes essential, especially as we seek to reduce consumption through conservation. Numerous detailed studies of single-family residential water use have been conducted nationally over the past three decades; however, no such research has been done in Texas. A study published in 2010 compared winter to summer municipal use within the state, but to date, there is no evaluation specific to annual single-family residential water use. In this study we analyzed annual seasonal single-family residential water usage in cities across Texas using monthly data provided to the Texas Water Development Board either as part of its annual Water Use Survey or upon request. We evaluated indoor and outdoor consumption patterns for 259 Texas cities from 2004 through 2008 and for 17 Texas cities from 2004 through 2011. Our analysis shows that about 31 percent of single-family residential a...
Water Conservation and Residential Landscapes: Household Preferences, Household Choices
2006
Communities throughout the Western United States are challenged by tight water supplies and swelling populations. Information is needed to better develop and target municipal water conservation programs. Significant water savings ranging from 35% to 70% are possible from changes in residential landscaping and improved management of outside watering, which often accounts for more than 50% of total residential water use. This study examines landscape choices of homeowners in three cities in New Mexico in order to identify and measure behavioral factors affecting water conservation. Using survey data, landscape choices are analyzed with a mixed logit model that assesses the effects of landscape and homeowner characteristics on choice probabilities. Model coefficients and implied elasticities indicate that water cost, education, and regional culture are significant determinants of landscape choices. In addition, the results suggest moral suasion can also have a positive influence toward...