Californians have been using far less water than suppliers estimated — what does this mean for the state?

Aerial photo of a bridge over a large, mostly dry lake bed. .

Water use in California was lower than officials estimated it would be between 2000 and 2020, according to a new report.

The findings raise questions about the accuracy of long-term water-demand projections, which could have knock-on effects on costs borne by consumers, but overall the news that water demand is lower than projected is positive for the state and its regular battles against drought, experts told Live Science.