Gov. Gavin Newsom Releases 19-Page California Water Supply Strategy Plan
Gov. Gavin Newsom released a 19-page drought plan titled California's Water Supply Strategy.
This plan directs state agencies to accelerate permits and provide more funding to cities and local water districts to embark on necessary water infrastructure projects.
These projects include building new reservoirs, desalination plants and recycled water projects.
“So much of the water conversation in this state has been about conservation, a scarcity mindset,” Newsom said, reported The Mercury News. “But that’s a relatively small component of the overall strategy we are introducing here today. What we are focusing on is creating more supply. We are focusing on creating more water.”
The strategy includes:
- Creating storage space for up to 4 million acre-feet of water by capitalizing on big storms and storing water for dry periods;
- Recycling and reusing at least 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030 enabling safer use of wastewater currently discharged to the ocean;
- Freeing up 500,000 acre-feet of water through more efficient water use and conservation; And
- Making new water available for use by capturing storm water and desalinating ocean water and salty water in groundwater basins.
Additionally, there are four sets of major actions that the State will pursue, which include:
- Developing new water supplies;
- Expanding water storage capacity above and below ground by 4 million acre-feet;
- Reducing demand; And
- Improving forecasting, data, and management, including water rights modernization.
Additionally, "the federal government is proposing to expand San Luis Reservoir in Merced County to capture more winter storm runoff."
The strategy aims to support local storm water capture projects in cities and towns. The goal is to increase the annual supply capacity by at least 250,000 acre-feet by 2030 and 500,000 acre-feet by 2040.
According to the plan, California's Department of Water Resources estimates that without action, hotter, drier weather could reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by 2040, which is roughly 6 to 9 million acre feet. The goal is to offset this number by expanding supply by roughly 5 to 7 million acre feet by 2040 and implementing conservation efforts.
The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 97% of the state was in a severe drought Aug. 11 and 45% in an extreme drought, reported The Mercury News.