Water contamination
is on the rise in California. The level of groundwater contamination
increases in the agricultural valleys of our state because of the
historical and continued use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, widespread use
of pesticides, and pollution from mega-dairies. Communities are in urgent
need of alternative water supplies or of costly treatment solutions. The
days of drilling a new well and finding a part of the aquifer that is not
contaminated are nearly gone. It
is time to find regional solutions to our safe drinking water needs.
Solutions that may require regional treatment facilities or exchanges of
surface water with water rights holders, like irrigation districts.
Finding solutions to these complex engineering and hydrological problems
is particularly difficult when our communities lack information on how the
water world works. It is imperative that we begin by informing individuals
and communities of their right to safe drinking water. Next we need to
foster a conversation between communities and the various water
stakeholders. Finally, changes need to occur. Water districts and state
and local agencies need to be held accountable for their duty to provide
safe drinking water to all Californians.
It
is time to find regional solutions to our safe drinking water needs.
Solutions that may require regional treatment facilities or exchanges of
surface water with water rights holders, like irrigation districts.
Finding solutions to these complex engineering and hydrological problems
is particularly difficult when our communities lack information on how the
water world works. It is imperative that we begin by informing individuals
and communities of their right to safe drinking water. Next we need to
foster a conversation between communities and the various water
stakeholders. Finally, changes need to occur. Water districts and state
and local agencies need to be held accountable for their duty to provide
safe drinking water to all Californians.
