Californians still support water conservation and cuts to use of Colorado River Water, in spite of wet winter

AP Photo/Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, File

In the 2022-23 winter, California experienced heavy rains and flooding with record snowfall. But voters remained committed to the state’s water conservation policies (81%) and by 60 percent to 14 percent supported the idea of reducing water delivery from the Colorado River.

The statewide California poll was conducted by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. The IGS online poll was directed by Mark DeCamillo between May 17 and 22, 2023, with 7,465 California registered voters. The margin of error is ±2 percentage points. The LA Times helped fund the poll.

Even in river-water-dependent Southern California, a majority of voters were supportive of cutting water delivery from the Colorado River. However, there were partisan differences, with 69 percent of Democrats favoring cuts but only 47 percent of Republicans. Survey was in the field prior to the recent Colorado River water agreement.

READ: Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies IGS Poll June 1, 2023