A continuing program for estimating ground-water pumpage in California--Methods

Municipal and agricultural ground-water pumpage is being estimated for the principal ground-water basins in California. Because of its anticipated use in analog or digital hydrologic models, agricultural pumpage is estimated for unit areas.

Estimated municipal pumpage is based on census figures and population projections and on pumpage reported by organizations in the San Joaquin Valley supplying water to communities. On the average, 0.25 to 0.40 acre- foot of water is used annually per capita, depending upon the population and number of industries in the community. The product of population by appropriate per capita use factor gives an estimated annual pumpage for a municipality.