To some, it defies common sense. California is once again in the middle of a punishing drought with state leaders telling people to take shorter showers and do fewer loads of laundry to conserve water. Yet at the same time, many of the same elected officials, pledging to solve the housing crisis, are pushing for the construction of millions of new homes.

But experts say that there’s plenty of water available for new Californians if the 60-year trend of residents using less continues and accelerates into the future.

In addition, most of California’s water isn’t used by people going about their daily lives at home or work, anyway. About 80% of water use statewide is for agriculture.