Drought and New Development

Drought and New Development

Drought and New Development

Balancing new growth with the long-term water needs of our community

Even in times of drought, new families and businesses coming to the area continue to spur new development to meet the needs of the community. While the County of Los Angeles and the City of Santa Clarita are responsible for planning future growth in the Santa Clarita Valley, it is SCV Water’s responsibility to provide water to meet the needs of our customers who live here today, as well as their children and families who will live here in the future.

New homes often bring “new” water

Before construction starts, all new development approved by the City and County undertakes a water supply assessment that proves there is sufficient long-term water supplies available. This water may come from:

  • Existing supplies which they have been helping to fund through their property taxes
  • New sources of water such as:
    • Retired agricultural wells converted to serve potable (drinking) water
    • Building their own water treatment facility that treats wastewater for nonpotable irrigation use
    • Paying for additional imported water to meet some or all of those needs
New homes are more water-efficient

New standards in home construction require more sustainable features.

  • High-efficiency fixtures such as toilets and faucets use significantly less water than they did years ago.
  • New landscaping often has to follow local guidelines for low-water usage plants.
New homes are expected and planned for

Thanks to rigorous planning efforts, SCV Water can anticipate all growth planned between now and our service area build-out, estimated for 2050. Our Urban Water Management Plan helps ensure that sufficient water supplies are available to meet existing and future water needs, and our Water Shortage Contingency Plan ensures that steps are in place in case of a critical water shortage, such as one caused by drought.

Learn more at:

Urban Water Management Plan

Water Shortage Contingency Plan