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Story No. 5: Water

Published: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 9:45 AM PST



Back to the Top 10 stories to look for in the coming year.

5. Water
The delivery, availability and even production of fresh drinking water will be a big issue in 2008. Anyone who studies water politics in Southern California and the Western United States, even just for a bit, can't help but see the intrigue. Debates like the ones about whether to build new water desalination plants or recycle wastewater will rage.

But there remains a gulf between the interest many share in thinking about and planning for our water future and the broader community of users who may have a slight understanding that they should conserve but know so little about the great lengths this region goes to in order to send them fresh water.

This coming year may just be the time when that changes dramatically -- when a shortage of some kind brings the desert we live in home. The seeds of such a crisis have been planted. A federal judge ruled that a small fish was becoming endangered in the State Water Project, which delivers much of San Diego's water. In order to protect it, cutbacks were recommended. Combined with worries about snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains and in the Rockies, San Diego will be fortunate to get through 2008 without mandatory restrictions on water usage.

Local officials have merely advised and attempted to encourage conservation. A mandatory cutback, on the other hand, would force people to think about it in a way that advice simply can't. The reality of our desert habitat can't communicate itself more effectively than with an all out shortage. If and when that happens, expect conservation to be a much easier sell.

-- SCOTT LEWIS




6 Comments so far on this story...

Obviously water is at or near the top of any list from any of us. It will get pretty thirsty around these parts if we do not make some big changes in the months to come. It is the changes that should be top news. First, we need a moratorium on new water meters, which will keep our problems from getting worse than they are already. Secondly, we must embrace methods of conservation that will make significant differences - grey water reuse for non-potable water and collection of our storm water as well as rainwater (if any) from our gutters. Our agriculture needs to conserve via the latest methods available as well. Desalination is a must for new water to be utilized as potable water. If we stop new meters and conserve after water districts restrict the new meters, we will succeed.

Posted by San Marcos says, | reply to this comment
January 8, 2008 12:02 pm

San Marcos, just a friendly clarification, I think you mean to say meters for new construction, b/c the cities and counties often split meters or add new meters for existing residences/rental units, which adds no new demand.

Posted by David Miller | reply to this comment
January 8, 2008 1:24 pm

If you moved here after 1975 then you need to go home. Water to drink Water pollution Air Pollution Traffic Congestion Housing Prices Lack of Open Space When does a community get to say enough is enough - We live in an area with very limited resources... Come, visit, have fun, then LEAVE!!!

Posted by Mike | reply to this comment
January 8, 2008 1:54 pm

Thank you, David. I stand corrected. No meters for new construction. That is still the first priority, so that people will be willing to conserve and make all the changes they possibly can.

Posted by San Marcos says II | reply to this comment
January 8, 2008 3:31 pm

As usual, the League of Women Voters is right on top of the latest news-making. "Water! A Resource Taken for Granted, but Maybe Not Much Longer" the topic of our next "Lunch with League", January 17th, ll:30 a.m., Tom Ham's Lighthouse. Speakers: Acting Director of d9 SD County Water Authority, vice-president of Poseidon Resources (pursuing desalination), and representative of Orange County Water Dept. (pursuing their version of toilet to tap). Reservations at $20 per are available at 858-483-8696, or lwvsandiego.org.

Posted by Faye Rose | reply to this comment
January 11, 2008 11:49 pm

Yes we have a water defeciency problem in San Diego. Yes we need a moratorium, stop building until water, sewer, electricity is available and the current residents do not have to totally conserve for the developers.

Posted by Chili Willi | reply to this comment
February 27, 2008 9:11 am


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Scott Lewis on Politics

The Scott Lewis on Politics blog, abbreviated cleverly as SLOP, is a collection of observations, insights and the occasional scoop on public affairs in San Diego. Please feel free to e-mail Scott at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.


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