As is most of the western region of the United States, California is in a once-in-twelve-hundred-year drought. Overall percentage of water use in the state, is: 50% environmental (maintaining habitat within streams and wetlands), 40% agricultural, and 10% urban, though use varies by locality. California may need to accommodate another 10 million residents in the next 20 years without taking additional water from sustainable agriculture or the environment. Groundwater drilling increases the salt and toxic mineral content of the soil and tapping aquifers lowers ground level significantly. Desalination is too expensive and polluting. Dams have major environmental impact, besides the fact there is currently less water per rainy season to store. Improving the drought situation will take a concerted effort in every sector.
Suggestions:
Agriculture and Husbandry
Plant less water-intensive crops, reduce meat and dairy production, switch to insect farming, etc.*
*Growing almonds accounts for 10% of the water use in the state. The entire agriculture industry in California represents only 1.8% of state’s GDP ($50 billion vs. $2,780 billion)
Bottled Water
Restrict/prohibit water from being diverted for export by bottled water companies.
Conservation
Require water-neutral development for major new real estate developments and industrial projects, convert lawns via xeriscape, etc.
Farmland
Convert unfarmable land such as the west side of the San Joaquin Valley to solar production in order to create new manufacturing, installation and maintenance jobs and to reduce the over-allocation of the state’s water supplies.
Fracking
Restrict/prohibit fracking which uses millions of gallons of fresh water every year which in turn pollutes aquifers.
Land Preservation
Promote watershed restoration to reduce fires, erosion, and other changes caused by climate change and develop scientifically-based flow standards for the Delta and major rivers for how much water is needed to keep them healthy.
Pollution
Reduce effluents that contaminate waters.
Recycling
Increase water supplies through safe recycling.
Taxes
Increases taxes on industries that heavily use water.