Conservation drives down the amount of water imported and, consequently, the amount of waste water treated at the other end. If your local water district isn't reclaiming waste water, it should. Reclaimed water for landscaping and recreational uses also reduces the need for imported water. Under new state guidelines, graywater may be used for landscape irrigation. Advocate sustainable growth.
Quality of life suffers with indiscriminate growth.
There are pressures to expand water and sewage services into virgin open space rather than redevelop and redesign existing urban areas. Water availability should be a factor in land use planning, but water boards historically follow the growth-oriented forecasts. Get involved in water board elections. Candidates for some 30 water districts will appear on San Diego County ballots in November. Many of these could end up appointed by their boards to the CWA or the MWD and play a larger role in regional water policies.