California Drought Plan Outlines Billions in Water Infrastructure

Abstract

August 12, 2022 C.J. Schexnayder KEYWORDS water / Water Conservation / Water infrasructure Order Reprints No Comments California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a sweeping new water strategy for the state that calls for more than $8 billion in state investments to shore up the dwindling resource. According to the document, the state faces the loss of 10% of its water supply by 2040.The plan outlines a strategy to capture, recycle, desalinate and conserve more water over the next two decades to provide enough supply for nearly 8.4 million households. The plan comes as California and six other states in the Colorado River Basin water supply system face an Aug. 16 deadline to alert the federal Bureau of Reclamation as to how they plan to reduce use to to save 2 million to 4 million acre-ft of water next year. "We will be working hand in hand with the Governor's office and the water agencies across the state, the southwest and Metropolitan's service area to develop new supplies and infrastructure that will provide resilience to protect our health, economy and environment with no one left behind."California's new Water Supply Strategy largely echoes the state's master water plan released two years ago. A $5.2 billion investment in California water systems enacted in the state's 2021-2022 budget has enabled emergency drought response, improved water conservation and financed local drought resilience projects. Officials at the Association of California Water Agencies said the group supported the plan's development of new water supplies through increased recycled water, desalination, above- and below-ground storage capacity and groundwater replenishment. "As California continues to experience longer and drier periods due to climate change, local and regional water managers know that state investment in water infrastructure is critical to securing water supplies for people, the food supply, the economy and the environment," said Cindy Tuck, the group's deputy executive director for government relations.