Because much of California is prone to droughts, the main uses of water in this area differ quite a bit from other parts of the country. Here, water restrictions are commonplace, which means homeowners and businesses alike must be careful and follow whatever regulations their jurisdictions may have put in place. It’s less common for people to water large lawns, for example, and hardscaping, which uses lots of stone and sand but little vegetation, is a trend that homeowners follow to create beautiful landscapes without the grass. Businesses must keep an eye on regulations as the amount of water they can use is often subject to change based on recent weather patterns.
In general, the top three uses of water in California are domestic uses, irrigation, and for livestock. Domestic use includes decorative and recreational ponds for homes and recreational businesses like hotels, resorts, and campgrounds. Irrigation is primarily for lawns, gardens, and crop fields, and after irrigation, water for livestock is the next highest water consumer.
