Unknown to many people, Santa Clara County - like Los Angeles and most other urban areas in California - has seen its overall water use drop in recent decades, even as population has grown. Total water use in Santa Clara County has fallen 20% since 2000, while population grew by 25% over the same time. The reason: The district has spent millions of dollars to pay people to remove lawns and replace them with water-efficient landscaping, and on rebates for low-water appliances.