Austin Council Member Bill Spelman Links Lower Water Use with Urban Development Trends

Go to sosalliance.org to view a powerpoint presentation prepared by Austin City Council member Bill Spelman analyzing peak day water demand trends for the City of Austin.  His review shows a continuing reduction of peak day per capita water use over the last 30 years.  This trend tracks higher density development patterns over this period, and confirms an EPA conclusion that urban density is a key indicator of per capita water use.  The denser we grow, with fewer and smaller lawns, the lower our per capita water use.  

By pushing more efficient indoor and outdoor water fixtures, for both existing and new homes and buildings, while creating conservation habits of lower water use, we can accommodate population growth for decades to come while keeping our total water use flat. 

Los Angeles has added a million people since 1984 while keeping total water use constant.  San Antonio has added 400,000 people since the mid-1980swhile using the same amount of water.  Austin can do the same - thus avoiding the need for building a billion dollar water treatment plant that will cause water rates to skyrocket.