California Water Management: Establishing a Framework for an Efficient Future

Water management in California is an extremely complex issue that requires collaboration from all levels of government. As the water supply shrinks and demand pressures increase over the next century, water management will become increasingly difficult. There is no single solution to the water issues facing California but there are many incremental steps than can be taken to secure an efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly economy. Water conservation programs appear to be the most cost effective means of reducing water demand. This requires a combination of incentives to reduce consumption, education about the true cost of water for California, and regulatory reform to promote efficient use and distribution of water. The state needs to make investments in education about water in California for conservation measures to be successfully adopted and implemented by the general populace. From a policy perspective, higher levels of government in the state need to establish statewide performance standards for groundwater withdrawals, point and non-point pollution, flood risk, and watershed integration for local governments to enforce. In order for these changes in water policy to be implemented, strong leadership is necessary