Goal 2: Improve Water Supply Reliability

Groundwater stress measures the ratio of groundwater withdrawal relative to its recharge rate over a given aquifer. Values above one indicate where unsustainable groundwater consumption could affect groundwater availability and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. The indicator was used by the World Resources Institute (WRI) in the Aqueduct 2.0 project.

Magnitude and timing of managed system flows suitable for native riparian habitats and geomorphic processes. Healthy aquatic, riparian, and floodplain ecosystems require periodic high flow events, not just minimum flows.

Proportion of agricultural non-potable water needs--e.g. irrigation--met with non-potable water. The more non-potable water used for agriculture, the more potable water is available for drinking water and healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Use of recycled water as a percent of total water used. Re-using water reduces the demand on existing and new water sources and reduces costs and impacts.

Number of acres protected or enhanced in aquifer recharge areas. Natural recharge of underground water reservoirs may be the most cost-effective way to store and manage water.

Public awareness and perceptions of the role water plays in their lives and in the environment can affect how people vote to support candidates, taxes/assessments, and bond issues. It is both important to keep the public informed to support democracy and to track their knowledge and perceptions in order to develop policies and management actions.

Average water use per household, or per capita, 20% reduction by 2020 (per state law).

Return flow ratio measures the percent of available water previously used and discharged upstream as wastewater. This indicator was used by the World Resources Institute in the Aqueduct 2.0 project.

Annual withdrawal of ground and surface water as a percent of total annually renewable volume of freshwater.

Upstream protected land measures the percentage of total water supply that originates from protected ecosystems. Modified land use can affect the health of freshwater ecosystems and have severe downstream impacts on both water quality and quantity. The World Resources Institute used this indicator in the Aqueduct 2.0 project.