The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), an independent, nonpartisan research organization, just completed a study on California’s water vulnerabilities. According to the report, California has to find a balance between water conservation and flood control.
The organization gives details of what California can do to prevent another drought:
- Improve water management, transfers and local ecosystems.
- Build the California WaterFix – also known as the Twin Tunnel Project – as a means of diversifying the state’s water supply.
- Protect ecosystems by creating a more comprehensive and coordinated plan.
- Reduce risk of flooding to new developments by taking into account climate change and flood mapping.
- Legislation needs to be introduced to provide more funding for flood protection, stormwater management and drinking water quality.
According to PPIC’s findings, groundwater management is the key to drought prevention. Because farmers in the Central Valley rely heavily on pumping water to feed their crops and residents rely on the water for drinking, there is a need to monitor water extractions. Limiting the amount of water that is allowed to be extracted can help California in the future.