How is California’s water used?

The common misconception is that farmers use 80% of the water in California. That’s simply not true and here’s why:

According to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), water is divided between three distinctly different users: agriculture, urban users…and the environment. In the California Water Plan, or Bulletin 160, DWR accounts using this chart:

Urban-8.9%, Ag-40.8%, Environment-50.3%

In short, what DWR is saying is that water that isn’t used by farmers or cities and industry is water that is set aside for the environment, which is good! Californians cherish a healthy environment and our elected leaders have passed laws and regulations that provide about half of the state’s developed water supply for environmental protection.