Water for the future

San Diego County has made great strides to safeguard itself against California’s recurring drought cycle. For example, in 1991, 95% of our water was imported by the Metropolitan Water District. By 2023, only 14% of our water was imported by the MWD.

Diversification efforts included building the Claude “Bud” Lewis Desalination plant in Carlsbad, increased conservation, an agreement to import water from the Imperial Irrigation District, and other measures. By 2045, it’s projected that only 8% of our water will be imported by the MWD.

But it’s a different story statewide. Most of our largest dams and reservoirs were built between 1945 and 1968, when our population was less than half its current size. Voter approval of a $7.5 billion water bond in 2014 has resulted in few, if any new projects. For more than 50 years, California has failed to make necessary investments in water infrastructure.

My caucus and I strongly support efforts to increase water storage and conveyance capacity, to expand water recycling, and increase use of desalination. That’s why we were happy to support SB 366 (Senator Anna Caballero D - Merced), which passed this session and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

The bill updates requirements for the 2033 California Water Plan, with the goal of generating an additional 9 million acre-feet by 2040 and establishing a long term plan through consultation with interested stakeholders. These include agriculture, local governments, rural water suppliers and tribes.

Other legislation discussed this year involving flood prevention, groundwater recharge and safeguards for downstream water rights holders will have to wait until the next session begins Dec. 2.

Many can remember the 14-year struggle to build the desalination plant in Carlsbad. The Sites Reservoir in Northern California is another example of bureaucratic delays. The project was first proposed in the 1950s, and is projected to begin operations in 2033. Building new water projects should not take over 70 years!

Reliable and affordable water is essential for California’s future. There’s a lot more work to do.