California Proposal Would Change How Millions Get Their Water
Summary
Conservation groups in California want to change how Southern California gets its water. They propose using local water sources like stormwater capture, recycling, and cleaning groundwater instead of relying heavily on imported water, which is becoming less reliable due to climate change and drought.Key Facts
- A coalition of 12 conservation groups suggests expanding local water capture and recycling in Southern California.
- Their plan could provide up to 2 million acre-feet of water annually by 2045, about 650 billion gallons.
- This amount is much more than the 0.5 million acre-feet expected from California’s proposed Delta Conveyance Project tunnel.
- California currently imports water from the Colorado River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, but these sources face shortages and environmental problems.
- The California Department of Water Resources started the California Water Plan 2028, aiming to add 9 million acre-feet of water by 2040 through new storage and conservation efforts.
- The coalition wants state agencies to stop supporting the Delta Tunnel and protect natural river flows instead.
- They propose a new water bond focused on local supply projects that avoid environmental harm.
- The plan includes recognizing tribal water rights, reducing Colorado River usage, funding green infrastructure, and supporting large water recycling projects.
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