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Subject:
Learn About the State's Water Crisis - Background
Information and Resources
Date: September 29, 2007
With the Legislature
now holding two special sessions, both health care and the issue
of the state's looming water crisis are on the agendas.
The water
crisis, linked to global warming but to many other factors as
well, is much less well known. Consequently, we are directing
you to a new effort to upgrade our knowledge about the many issues
involved in securing and protecting our state water resources.
The Association
of California Water Agencies is launching a major statewide public
education program that we think is important and timely. Their
multi-million-dollar program looks at the aspects of the crisis
including the problems with the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
and the impact of the court-imposed massive reduction in our statewide
water supply.
As long as
water flows when the tap is turned on, most people don't think
about what it takes to get water to their home-or whether it will
always be so readily available. The truth is that California is
facing serious problems that could ultimately lead to water rationing
and reduced supplies throughout the state. ACWA's public education
program will educate people about these mounting problems, such
as aging infrastructure, environmental concerns, drought, climate
change and new pressures associated with California's every-growing
population.
One of the
biggest worries is the future of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River
Delta. The Delta, a key natural estuary and the pathway through
which more than 25 million Californians and 2.5 million acres
of productive farmland receive their water, is in an ecological
crisis that threatens both our water supply and the environment.
Experts warn that a strong earthquake or other natural disaster
could damage the deteriorating levees and cripple water deliveries
for up to two years.
Our state's
many blessings - a strong economy, temperate climate and diverse
culture - continue to draw people here. Yet despite continuing
population growth, we have not made any significant improvements
in the statewide water storage and delivery system in 30 years.
Today, the
need to balance human and environmental needs is more important
than ever. But it is not always easy. A case in point is a recent
ruling in federal court that will cut deliveries by the state's
two largest water system by up to one-third next year to protect
an endangered fish-potentially the largest court-ordered water
supply reduction in California history.
And although
state and local water agencies have done much to promote water
conservation and efficiencies, these programs alone will not solve
our problems. The collective impacts of drought, climate change,
supply reductions and potential natural disasters have created
a crisis that we cannot solve simply through conservation. But
we cannot afford to ignore these problems-California's economy,
environment and quality of life are dependent on the availability
of water.
As the local
face of water in their community, local water agencies have a
responsibility to help educate the public about the challenges
California is facing with its water supply and delivery system.
ACWA's new public education program is designed to educate the
public about the state's growing water crisis through television,
radio and print advertising, as well as through the Internet and
community outreach. The program kicked off in September and will
continue through the remainder of 2007. For more information,
visit www.calwatercrisis.org.
By gong to
their site above, you may click on PDF documents that will tell
you more concerning the background and issues that the Legislature
is now considering and that we all will face in the very near
future. We will keep you informed of further developments as deliberations
progress and as your voice is needed in this massive undertaking.
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