Water is California’s most precious and natural resource. How we manage it today will affect nearly every aspect of our future.
When our state enjoys a year of abundant rain and our reservoirs are full, it is easy to think that our water supply is endless. But after three consecutive dry years, California is now experiencing a serious drought. We simply cannot afford to waste any water.
- Even in normal years, some areas of the state find it difficult to meet all demands for water. Water deliveries from some key water projects have been permanently reduced due to environmental concerns, while other systems struggle with aging infrastructure and other challenges.
- Our state’s population continues to grow, with 60 million Californians expected by 2050. That means more people, farms and businesses will rely on our rivers, reservoirs and groundwater basins for their daily needs.
- Climate change already is affecting California’s water resources. Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada – the source of much of our runoff and our largest “natural” reservoir – could shrink by as much as 25% by 2050. Experts say the changing rain and snowfall patterns will result in longer periods of drought.
California cannot take its water supply for granted. While state and local leaders continue to work on long-term solutions to our water challenges, saving water on a daily basis helps to stretch our supply. In wet years, it helps keep water in reservoirs for the inevitable dry years to come. In dry times, like now, conservation is a critical tool to help ensure that we have enough water for our communities, environment, farms and other important parts of our economy.
It’s easy for every Californian—young and old—to save water every day. The good news is there are lots of simple ways to reduce the amount of water that we use at home, both inside and outside. If we all work together, we can make a difference for California’s future.