Use and Effectiveness of Municipal Irrigation Restrictions During Drought

The Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) Outdoor Water Savings Research Initiative kicked off in 2015 and includes a research review on outdoor water programs, the Peak Day Water Demand Management Study, the Landscape Transformation Study, and the Sustainable Landscapes: A Utility Program Guide. In January 2020, AWE released its study, Use and Effectiveness of Municipal Irrigation Restrictions During Drought.  The report explores the following questions:

1. What demand reductions can be achieved through different levels of mandatory and voluntary restrictions?
2. How do messaging and enforcement programs influence effectiveness of restrictions?
3. During times of drought, what can water suppliers do to maximize effectiveness of outdoor restrictions?
4. What is the longevity of demand reductions after the end of a drought?
5. What are the different forms of mandatory and voluntary irrigation restrictions typically implemented by North American water providers?

The Executive Summary is available to the public and can be downloaded here .

Member-Only Benefit

AWE and California Water Efficiency Partnership members in good standing have access to the full report. Request full access to the study here.