Background
The demand for water is highest during the dry summer months when there is little natural precipitation or snowmelt. California’s capricious climate also leads to extended periods of drought and major floods. Controversies that need to be addressed in 2020 The state works to balance the needs of multiple interests, climate change and relentless population growth (expected to grow to 45 million by 2035). Californians, too, are paying close attention to their water resources and have passed bond measures to help maintain the system — one that demands increased attention in the often-parched state. Environmental groups and fish and wildlife biologists have argued for years that the health of California’s fish populations, riparian vegetation and wildlife have been sacrificed to ensure adequate water supplies for cities and farms. Another central area of focus and controversy is the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta – a major source of water for about two-thirds of the state – as federal, state and local governments and private entities have sought to make use of its resources. The 2009 Delta Reform Act declared that state policy toward the Delta must provide a more reliable water supply for California and protect, restore and enhance the Delta ecosystem. Furthermore, the policy of the state is to reduce reliance on the Delta in meeting California’s future water supply needs. California’s water system will also be affected by global climate change. Experts predict increased temperatures, less snow, earlier snowmelt and a rise in sea level could have major implications for water supply, flood management and ecosystem health. What’s the plan? Governor Newsom’s Water Resilience Portfolio outlines 142 actions the state could take to build resilience as the effects of warming temperatures grow. It supports everything from a recent fund focused on safe and affordable drinking water to habitat restoration to improving groundwater storage capabilities. It’s touted as a way to cope with the effects of climate change — more extreme droughts, floods, rising temperatures, declining fish populations and so on. “It will protect the water supply for essentially two-thirds of Californians from the very real risk of earthquakes, more extreme floods, prolonged droughts and sea level rise,” said Michael Quigley, Co-Chair of Californians for Water Security. The plan, if funds allow, could accomplish a ton — protect Californians from pollution, modernize water data systems and present a unified pursuit of federal funding — but an analysis from the Pacific Institute says “there are still gaps that must be addressed.” Even though safe drinking water is a priority, Nelson says the impact of the pandemic on the funding source — cap and trade dollars, the state's system where pollution credits are bought and sold — is causing concern for securing water to Califonrians with dirty and unhealthy water. The approach in a nutshell A. SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER USE B. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL WATER USE C. SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL WATER USE Method A. TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES TO REDUCE WATER REQUIREMENTS B. ECONOMIC MECHANISMS C. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION APPROACHES D. REGULATORY APPROACHES E. TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES TO INCREASE SUPPLIES Sources: https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/californias-future-water-january-2020.pdf https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia/california-water-issues-overview https://www.capradio.org/articles/2020/07/29/california-has-a-new-plan-to-protect-its-water-supply-from-climate-change-but-some-say-its-based-on-old-thinking/
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