Water Efficiency
The Water Efficiency strategy of the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by encouraging the community to conserve water in their homes and businesses. Clean water is an essential but limited resource that is expected to be strained even further through projected drought conditions in a changing climate. We can reduce GHGs and enhance our resilience by ensuring we all use water in the most efficient ways possible.
Implementation of water conservation measures is estimated to reduce GHG emissions by 712 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2020 and 795 MTCO2e by 2030.
Explore the sections below to learn about the City’s planned and ongoing actions to achieve these reductions.
WE-1: Conduct Water Rate Studies and Implement Approved Water Rates
Reduce Water Use
The energy used to treat and deliver water creates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Reducing water use thereby reduces energy use. The City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) set a goal of reducing water consumption in Encinitas by 258 million gallons by 2020 and 672 million gallons by 2030 from the 2012 baseline.
Encinitans will need to cut water use by an average of five gallons per day to meet the CAP’s water reduction goals. For context, standard shower heads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute and older toilets use as much as 6 gallons per flush. To reduce water use, residents and businesses should consider decreasing outdoor irrigation or investing in WaterSense products, like low-flow shower heads and toilets.
The City’s two water districts—San Dieguito Water District (SDWD) and Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD)—regularly conduct water rate studies and adjust rates based on the cost to supply water and the cost of operations. Both water districts also offer various public education programs to encourage water conservation efforts. For example, in Fall 2022, SDWD and OMWD—in partnership with Carlsbad Municipal Water District and Santa Fe Irrigation District—encouraged water conversation by offering customers discounted rain barrels. Additionally, OWMD received the Recycled Water Community Outreach award from the WaterReuse Association of California in September 2022 for its dedication towards educating customers about the importance of water efficiency and water reuse as a drought solution.
UNIT | We measure water consumption in gallons per capita per day (GPCD). This measurement represents the average water use per person in the City of Encinitas per year. It allows individuals to have a sense of how much water they may be using and allows water utilities to prepare for future water needs. | GPCDGallons Per Capita Per Day |
| We measure water consumption in gallons per capita per day (GPCD). This measurement represents the average water use per person in the City of Encinitas per year. It allows individuals to have a sense of how much water they may be using and allows water utilities to prepare for future water needs. | GPCDGallons Per Capita Per Day |
Last updated in April 26, 2023
WE-1: Conduct Water Rate Studies and Implement Approved Water Rates
Encinitas Water Use
To achieve the water reduction goals outlined in the Climate Action Plan (CAP), the average water consumption rate of Encinitans must equal to 181 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) by 2020 and 137 GPCD by 2030. In 2022, average water use by San Dieguito Water District (SDWD) customers was 122 GPCD, which is a reduction of 21% from 2012. For Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) customers, the average use was 164 GPCD in 2022, which is a reduction of 18% from 2012. Note that in previous years, OMWD’s data was reported as their entire service area, encompassing areas outside of the City of Encinitas. The reported data now only includes Encinitas OMWD customers. Both districts have consistently met the 2020 goal established in the Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Our water use has varied over the years, but overall, Encinitas residents tend to use more than the average American. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the national average water use was 82 GPCD in 2015. Encinitas’ higher water use could be a result of Southern California’s dry climate and the increased need for landscape irrigation. Outdoor irrigation accounts for over 50% of total residential water use in San Diego County. In 2022, OMWD offered two free workshops on efficient irrigation and water-wise landscape design.
On October 20, 2021, SDWD declared a Level 1 Water Shortage. The shortage was declared in response to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s October 19, 2021, Proclamation of a State Emergency. The governor’s proclamation urged Californians to step up their water conservation efforts by voluntarily reducing water use by 15%. As of April 2023, the Level 1 Water Shortage and emergency proclamation are still in effect, however the Governor rescinded the voluntary requirement on March 24, 2023 in response to the recent winter rains. SDWD and OMWD continue to encourage customers to take conservation actions such as minimizing inefficient landscape irrigation, halting washing paved surfaces, and only serving and refilling water to restaurant patrons upon request.
In 2022, the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority partnered with SDWD and OMWD to expand water recycling through a proposed $2.2 million rehabilitation of the Wanket Reservoir. Last used in 2008, the tank repurposing will allow for much needed storage for recycled water for irrigation and industrial uses.
Note: GPCD values include all water rate classes (urban, agriculture, and environment) for SDWD and OMWD. In 2022, the OMWD GPCD data was corrected to include only the Encinitas distribution GPCD as opposed to the entire service area.
Last updated April 26, 2023
Water Consumption
How You Can Help
Last updated June 28, 2022
