Estimated Water Use on Large Projects in 2004-2006: Projects Affected by Senate Bills 221 and 610 Signed into Law in 2001


 

Publication Date: August 2008

Publisher: California State Library. California Research Bureau

Author(s): Rani Isaac

Research Area: Environment

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

Senator Sheila Kuehl asked the California Research Bureau (CRB) to provide analysis about the impact of two bills enacted in 2001: SB 221 and SB 610. These bills require local agencies to determine that a reasonably reliable water supply exists before approving new large projects including residential subdivisions with over 500 units, and large industrial and commercial projects.

CRB estimated the number of subdivisions and dwelling units that were subject to these two bills from 2004 to 2006, estimated the amount of water used by these subdivisions and evaluated how the estimates would have changed if the law were lowered to apply to subdivisions with over 250 units. CRB also estimated water use in large industrial and commercial projects.