Planning and Investing in California Water Supply Reliability Urged

The Regional Water Authority has released the following statement in response to the governor’s recent State of the State Address.

“We applaud Governor Brown for his call to do everything possible to mitigate the effects of the drought. Calls by the Governor and water providers in the Sacramento region to reduce water use by 20 percent or more must be taken seriously. The Sacramento region has significantly reduced its water use over the past decade, and now’s the time to sharply continue that downward trend.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

“However, more must be done over the long term–beyond a Bay Delta Conservation Plan–to ensure the state’s water supply reliability.”

“Today, we are facing unprecedented conditions, and these conditions foreshadow a water supply scenario for the Sacramento region that is projected to happen more frequently under future climate scenarios.”

“Sacramento-area water providers have invested substantially in water efficiency, groundwater management, conjunctive use and habitat improvements over the past two decades to address our region’s co-equal objectives of reliable water supplies and a sustainable environment. These investments make the region better prepared to face dry periods. However, additional planning and investment is needed.

“We urge the administration to further develop its California Water Action Plan to detail opportunities and funding for water projects that will would add flexibility and resiliency into the system, especially during dry years. Such opportunities could include increased interconnection between agencies, expanded use of recycled water, more groundwater storage and production, greater use of surface water in wet years and changes to the way the system is operated in order to ensure reservoirs like Folsom are able to serve the needs of local people and the environment.

“We look forward to working with the administration on these important endeavors.”

About the Regional Water Authority: RWA is a joint powers authority representing two dozen water providers and affiliates in the greater Sacramento area. Its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources.