Conserve: The surest response to a water shortage is to use less water. The Governor’s executive order calls for conservation measures and potential transfers between Water Agencies.
Diversify: Just like a diversified portfolio protects us against the ups and downs of the stock market, systems like the Orange County Water District's Groundwater Replenishment System diversifies our water portfolio against droughts.
California must fix its failing water supply system.
Failure to act severely jeopardizes the state’s economy, tens of thousands of jobs and the future of our quality of life.Read OCBC's June 16 letter to Governor Schwarzenegger calling for immeidate action.
This page explains the current crisis and charts a path forward for recovery.
Following two straight years of below-average rainfall, very low snowmelt runoff and the largest court-ordered water transfer restrictions in state history, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed a statewide drought and issued an Executive Order to address the crisis (see video at right).
The Governor’s administration should be applauded for recognizing the need to take action on this issue. The Business community sees the water crisis as a critical threat to the state's vitality, and is advocating for a workable action plan for the future of the state's water. Some facts:
75% of the state’s precipitation falls north of Sacramento, yet 75% of demand is south of that point.
California’s water system, like much of its infrastructure, is 50 years old – and in the past three decades, no significant new infrastructure has been built across the state.
The 1976-77 drought cost California $6.5 billion in today’s dollars. The 1990-91 drought saw $2 billion in losses.
Even if all sides agreed today on how to fix the Delta and other key elements of the state's water network, it would take 9 years to complete the needed infrastructure.
These statstics clearly demonstrate need for immediate action. A balance of short and long term measures must be implemented to address structural failings of the State Water Project and reassess California's approach to usage and preservation of its most precious resource.
Currently, OCBC is advocating for a bi-partisan comprehensive solution addressing longstanding issues regarding water storage and solutions to the state's most urgent needs.
What Specfically Must Be Done?
The key to the entire equation is the Delta. Ongoing problems over how to
“fix” the Delta and modernize it for safety, efficiency and environmental issues present tough choices. OCBC contends the following elements are essential:
- Flood control improvements
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Repair of deteriorating levees
- Hatcheries for endangered fish
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Expedited environmental reviews
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A new conveyance facility
Beyond the issues in the Delta, the state must also make a long-term commitment to increased water quality and pursue above and/or below ground water storage facilties to assist with flood management, drought, and the overall reliability of our water supply.
The Governor is now leading an effort to pass a water infrastructure plan. As part of his 2008-09 budget, he has proposed $11.8 billion to invest in water storage, Delta sustainability, water stewardship, conservation, and water quality improvement.
The key to the entire equation is the Delta. Ongoing problems over how to 