California Governor Schwarzenegger Pushes Comprehensive Water Plan

$200 Million Conservation Efforts to Address Water Shortages

05/09/2007 -- In a speech to more than 1,000 local water officials, Governor Schwarzenegger today called for the passage of his $5.9 billion Water Infrastructure Plan that includes a $200 million water conservation proposal, the largest ever proposed in California.

"Due to climate change, we can expect a decrease in our snow pack by as much as 40 percent by the year 2050, which means more flooding in the winter and less drinking water in the summer," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "We can't afford to wait any longer. We need a water management strategy that tackles all our long-term water needs. That means increasing water storage, developing new conveyance systems, fixing the Delta, restoring key water resources and aggressively moving forward with conservation efforts."

The Governor's Water Infrastructure Plan includes $5.9 billion in water bonds, including $4.5 billion for increased water storage, $1 billion toward fixing the Delta and developing new conveyance systems, $200 million for local conservation grants and $250 in restoration projects.

The plan, originally detailed in Senate Bill 59 by Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), failed to pass the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The Governor has said he will continue to push the comprehensive proposal forward this year.

"I want California to remain at the forefront of water conservation and be the model for the next generation of smart water users. That's why in my water infrastructure plan I've proposed California's largest investment in water conservation ever. We're setting aside $200 Million in grants for local agencies that will free up enough water to meet the needs of about 400,000 families," said the Governor.

Under the Governor's plan, local water agencies would compete for $200 million in state grants to implement water conservation projects that are customized for particular regions to maximize the amount of water saved. For example, communities may be able to save water by planting drought resistant landscaping, installing low-flow toilets or by lining irrigation canals.

"Investing in conservation alone will not solve all of our water problems," continued the Governor.

To increase water storage, improve flood protection and provide more flexibility to respond to the changing climate, the Governor's Water Infrastructure Plan calls for two above-ground storage facilities to be built. The facilities would provide an additional 500,000 acre feet of water per year, enough to meet the needs of one million California families.

Last week, the Department of Water Resources performed its final survey of this year's Sierra Nevada snow pack, showing conditions at 29 percent of normal which is the lowest level since 1988, the first year of the last severe multi-year drought in California. Water experts agree that the problem will become critical if there are consecutive years of the current drought conditions.

The Department of Water Resources is currently working with local and regional agencies throughout the state to encourage and implement water conservation measures as a precaution against subsequent dry years.

Communities throughout the state have begun voluntary conservation measures. Recently the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission called on their 2.4 million customers to reduce their water use by 10 percent or they could face water rationing this summer. The East Bay Municipal Utilities District has asked their customers to find and fix any plumbing that leaks, to water their lawns only three days a week, never on consecutive days, and to do so at night or in the morning. Similarly, Santa Cruz residents have been told to not water their lawns between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Source: California Governor

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