Water for the future

Assemblywoman Marie Waldron

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 (MWD). 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 next session begins De­cember 2nd.

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.

Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R- Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District which in­cludes most of rural eastern and northern San Diego County.

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