Water Continues To Be An Issue In California

With the first of the Sierra snowpack surveys under our belt, the results are alarming. The surveyors found mostly bare ground, and manual and electronic readings showed the water content in the statewide snowpack at just 20 percent of average for this time of year. If things don’t change, the state estimates it will only deliver 5 percent of the total water requested by public agencies this year.

While we hope for more snow during our winter season, we as responsible Californians need to continue to conserve water and look at ways to stabilize our water supplies in drought years.

Water is our most precious natural resource and is essential for life. Yet, as we examine our wasteful uses and how our lifestyle is impacting our water quality, it is abundantly clear that we do not prize water as an invaluable commodity.

The current situation we face shows us that we must implement a plan now to protect our current and future water supply. Without it, we are likely to see stagnant economic growth and little to no real prosperity for our region. One need only look up Interstate 5 to see what a lack of water can do to the economic conditions in a community. Granted, we are not the Central Valley, but we do rely on water for home building, manufacturing and processing of foods and other products, which is prevalent in our region.

Desalination, stormwater capture, recycled water and conservation are all great ways to supplement current supply, but guaranteeing a reliable water supply requires investment. The water bond we keep hearing about, but continues to be delayed, can pay for improving the state water resource management capabilities, helping to ensure a constant water supply.

Discussions need to continue on the local level so we can address the state legislature with a unified voice for water policy. The San Bernardino Water Conference is one opportunity to come together as a region and discuss our water supply issues and possible solutions. By attending this and other events like it we can educate ourselves about the best practices and newest technologies in water management. It also provides a forum for those who have new and innovative ideas or opinions on current or proposed water management solutions.

Let’s not rely on the erratic behavior of Mother Nature for our water. Contact your water utility for ways to be part of the solution.