the electric power consumption in California was used for water supply and treatment (largely transportation)
for urban and agricultural users; this estimate increases to 7% if end uses in agriculture (which are mainly related to pumping) are included (26). The depletion of source waters in the state has led to habitat deterioration, the decline
and extinction of native fish species, the near-collapse of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta ecosystem (27), and the desiccation of Owens Lake, whose dry lake bed is arguably the single largest source of asthma- and cancerinducing
respirable suspended particles in the United States (28). Potable reuse also has advantages relative to the desalination of seawater. By one estimate, potable reuse consumes less than one-half the energy [~1000 to 1500 kilowatt-hours
per megaliter (kWh Ml−1)] beyond conventional
treatment) required for the desalination of seawater
(~3400 to 4000 kWh Ml−1) (25).