The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District in California is facing the challenges of a historic megadrought in the American West. Despite the lack of rain, homeowners are still maintaining lush lawns, indicating a disregard for water conservation efforts. To address this issue, the water district is adding water restrictors to repeat offenders’ pipes to reduce water supply. The district covers sought-after real estate areas in Southern California and relies on imported water, but due to the drought, it is only receiving 5% of its requested supplies. With severe drought conditions in California, residents are mandated to cut outdoor watering by half. The water district is actively monitoring and enforcing water restrictions, including fines and flow restrictors.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Virgenes Municipal Water District’s struggle with megadrought | From water abundance to water scarcity | Increased water scarcity and conservation efforts | Climate change and drought conditions |
| Water district installing water restrictors | From unlimited water supply to limited supply | Water restrictors installed in more homes | Water conservation and enforcement of restrictions |
| Affluent residents ignoring water conservation | From ignorance or disregard to compliance | Increased compliance with water restrictions | Increased awareness and education about water scarcity |
| Celebrities using excessive amounts of water | From excessive water usage to reduced usage | Celebrities taking steps to reduce water usage | Increased social pressure and public scrutiny |
| Use of flow restrictors as a conservation measure | From unrestricted water usage to restricted usage | More widespread use of flow restrictors | Need for water conservation and efficient usage |