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The graphic illustrates that the per capita demand for water in the areas of Orange <br />County served by utilities has generally decreased markedly since the droughts of 2002 <br />and 2007. Those droughts alerted local residents and other water users to the need for <br />immediate and on -going water conservation. It is thought that this increased awareness <br />led to the decline in the consumption of utility - supplied water that has occurred since <br />2002. <br />Outside of the public water service areas, rural residents depend on groundwater, rather <br />than surface water, for their drinking water. Groundwater consumption is difficult to <br />track because of a lack of groundwater usage information. It is expected that the <br />ongoing growth in the number of water supply wells in the county mirrors growth in <br />overall groundwater consumption. However, if the trend in decreasing per capita water <br />consumption observed at local water utilities reflects a similar unmeasured trend <br />amongst groundwater users, the net use of groundwater could also be decreasing. <br />Conversely, the increasing number of residential consumers of groundwater could offset <br />any decrease in per capita residential consumption, resulting in an increase in <br />groundwater consumption. Unfortunately, analysis of trends or determining the <br />amounts of groundwater used is not possible without local consumption data. <br />To support a healthy environment and sustainable growth, the water resources of <br />Orange County, both surface water and groundwater, must be managed carefully such <br />that these finite resources are not overtaxed or wasted. <br />What can be done to help manage Orange County's Water Resources? <br />• Get informed about local sources of water and the importance of conserving all <br />water supplies. <br />• Perform a water audit of your water consumption and discover if there are easy <br />steps you can take to reduce your use of potable water. Examples include fixing <br />leaks, even minor leaks, taking shorter showers, installing a rain barrel or rain <br />garden, planting drought tolerant plant species, and many others! <br />Track local groundwater conditions through Orange Well Net (OWN), a network <br />of groundwater observation wells used to monitor local groundwater conditions- <br />http://www.ncwater.org/?page=537&lmp=&county ame=&search=&t1=1&aguifer=& tafion=&net=ora nge inactive= <br />