How is water-use estimated?
Water use estimation is a compilation of several approaches. Water management districts play an important role in water-use estimation through their water use programs. The water-use program compile data for major categories of water use for all 67 counties on a monthly basis. Data are collected for all sources of withdrawal including fresh and saline, ground and surface water. Other data collected will include acreage irrigated for 29 specific crop types, wastewater discharge from public and industrial facilities, aquifer withdrawals, water reused for irrigation, water used for desalinization, and site-specific pumpage for commercial, industrial and power-generation facilities.
