Abstract

From 2007 to 2017, the state of California experienced two major droughts that required significant governmental action to decrease urban water demand. The purpose of this study is to isolate and explore the effects of these policy changes on water use during and after these droughts, and to see how these policies interact with hydroclimatic variability. The results of the city level water demand models indicate that implementation of mandatory policies that target water use behaviors effectively reduce water use. The findings suggest that drought-related policies impact per capita urban water use along with temperature, income, unemployment, and water stress. The mathematically significant relationships identified in this study offer a path forward for more complex water demand models to include policy changes as a driver of water use. The policy coding methodology offers a start to the complicated task of categorizing drought policies and identifying what qualities make them effective at reducing urban water use.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2019
Subtitle of host publicationWatershed Management, Irrigation and Drainage, and Water Resources Planning and Management - Selected Papers from the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2019
EditorsGregory F. Scott, William Hamilton
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages239-250
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9780784482339
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event19th World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2019: Watershed Management, Irrigation and Drainage, and Water Resources Planning and Management - Pittsburgh, United States
Duration: May 19 2019May 23 2019

Publication series

NameWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2019: Watershed Management, Irrigation and Drainage, and Water Resources Planning and Management - Selected Papers from the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2019

Conference

Conference19th World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2019: Watershed Management, Irrigation and Drainage, and Water Resources Planning and Management
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPittsburgh
Period5/19/195/23/19

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology

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