Water 'Blueprint' critical to future

By: GREG MORRISON - Commentary | Sunday, January 22, 2006 8:42 PM PST ∞

In May, the Association of California Water Agencies, representing more than 440 public agency members, released "No Time to Waste: A Blueprint for California Water," in hopes that officials at the local, state and federal levels would begin to discuss and solve California's future water concerns.

At Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, we understand the importance of investing in our system. We are aware that California's water infrastructure has not seen drastic improvements in the last 30 years and we fear the consequences if we do not do something soon. We must take action to increase our water supplies, efficiency, quality and environmental health. This is why we encourage all of our local officials to get behind this blueprint.

EVMWD imports approximately 48 percent of its water from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. This water is secured by MWD through two primary sources, the state water project and the Colorado River. According to the blueprint, both of these supplies can become jeopardized without necessary precautions and improvements. Any future destruction or problems would ultimately leave EVMWD without an adequate supply and could lead to shortages or low quality water.

EVMWD wholeheartedly supports all 12 recommendations outlined in the plan. We encourage local water districts, city councils and the Board of Supervisors to push the new ACWA Blueprint and take action now. We must maintain a reliable water system that can support California's population, jobs and ecosystems for decades to come.

As ACWA points out, unless we do something to protect California's water system we may face extreme consequences throughout the state. The blueprint includes 12 recommendations to secure our water supply, and I feel two of the most important recommendations are: improvements to California's delta conveyance system, which is responsible for conveying state water project water from Northern California rivers to the main pumping facilities where it is sent throughout the state; and ensuring continued delivery of adequate water from the Colorado River, including defending California's water rights.

All federal, state, regional and local officials must work together to address the issues before the issues address us. In other words, we need to start solving the problem before we are forced to act on an emergency basis, as ACWA puts it.

With the assistance, funding and support from ACWA's blueprint, EVMWD can reduce its reliance on imported water, begin developing more recycled water projects, have reliable, up-to-date infrastructure and ensure replenishment from the Colorado River.

EVMWD believes we must take action now to plan for our water future.

Greg Morrison is director of legislative and community affairs for EVMWD.

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