California Water Crisis: Really?
October 29th, 2007 by Kishore
By now, you have probably seen the ads. California has a serious water crisis. A conglomerate of 450 local water agencies have sponsored an 8 week, $9 million ad campaign. The agencies claim there is serious impending water crisis looming in California. And scientists…..agree. Shocking that politics and science agree for once.
The crisis argument arises from a few factors: expected population growth, climate change affects, infrastructure susceptibility to earthquakes, and restrictions on the Delta due to endangered species. All are real factors, but best estimates indicate effects will start to manifest by 2030, except for the Delta issue.
I believe many agencies are lobbying for more water access/storage in the wake of the federal ruling on the Delta. Covering their asses if you will. There is an urgency around this issue that indicates the agencies desperation. The governor did recently propose a $9 billion bond measure for more dam construction along with infrastructure improvements. The measure will not make it onto the February ballot, more than likely hitting the November 2008 ballot. So in the end, the decision will be left to the public. In that way, education about the issue is tantamount.
Takeaway:
Hey California, we do have an impending water shortage. The biggest factor is not climate change or earthquakes or delta smelt, but expected population growth. No matter the conservation strategy, we don’t have the water right now. In the end, a bond will be passed diverting more water from california river’s and streams to make up for the needs…..and that’s too bad. This is a mega opportunity for you to get involved with our most precious resource.
More Info:
Chronicle article on Delta
Article on ACWA ad campaign
California Water Crisis Info
Governator’s Dam Plan
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