Social Benefits and Equity

The health, economic, and equity benefits realized from a well-managed water system, including management of water withdrawal and water renewal.

Associated Indicators


Affordable Water Prices

Percent of drinking water suppliers which have instituted an affordable "lifeline" rate for low-income residential customers.

Amount of Industrial Pollutants Released

Tons of industrial pollutants released and disposed of by watershed/region. Industrial waste may be released into waterways, soils, and the atmosphere. This may introduce chemicals into ecosystems, the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Benefits from Water Management

Equitable distribution of economic and health benefits from water management. Society expects that public trust resources like water are provided equitably. Although inequity may accrue when water is used in particular businesses, the original supply is expected to be managed and delivered in a way that provides equitable distribution of benefits.

Coastal Economy: Commercial use rate of fish populations (MLPA)

Commercial fishing contributes to local communities' economies. Metrics or this activity includes number of individual vessels, number of trips, and total landings per fish species (weight per species and size class). Other important information includes economic and social activity indirectly triggered by fishing in coastal communities. Focal species: nearshore rockfish, Dungeness crab, California halibut, and red sea urchin

Coastal Economy: Recreation use rate of specific areas

Recreational fishing contributes to local communities' economies. Metrics or this activity includes number of individual vessels, number of trips, number of clients, and total landings per fish species (weight per species and size class). Other important information includes economic and social activity indirectly triggered by fishing in coastal communities. Focal species: Rockfish, lingcod, and California halibut

Equitable Access to Clean Water

Correlation between quality and quantity of available drinking water and household income. Equitable access to clean, plentiful drinking water is considered to be a human and cultural right. Ensuring that this basic right is met is a societal responsibility and helps us to understand equity.

Equitable Decision-Making Process

Equitable decision-making process for water management, diversity of participating organizations. A key component to equity and environmental justice is equitable access by all parties to decision-making.

Flood Resilience

The maximum flood that can be experienced without exceeding some amount (e.g., $10 million) in damages. Resilience will increase with improved flows access to floodplains and removal of infrastructure from floodplains.