California Water Security

Overview

California faces a water crisis with no easy solutions. The 2012-2016 drought was the hottest in recorded history and the driest period in 1,200 years. Israel recycles 87-90% of its wastewater; California recycles less than 10%. One in four food items on American tables comes from California's Central Valley—making this a national food security issue. Without investment, State Water Project deliveries could drop 87% by 2043 due to infrastructure degradation and subsidence. Major projects like Sites Reservoir ($6.2-6.8 billion) and the Delta Conveyance ($20.1 billion) are critical but expensive.

The Challenge

Agriculture uses 40% of California's developed water while producing 25% of America's food. Aging infrastructure loses water to leaks, and the California Aqueduct has lost up to 46% capacity in some areas due to land subsidence from groundwater over-pumping. Desalination provides drought-proof water but costs $3,400 per acre-foot versus $100 for groundwater, and carries real environmental concerns: plants intake 80+ million fish larvae annually and produce concentrated brine. There are no cost-free solutions.

The Solution

Take an all-of-the-above approach: (1) Achieve Israel-level water recycling (87%)—California's goal is only 800,000 acre-feet by 2030, (2) Strategically expand desalination where environmental impacts can be mitigated, powered by renewable energy to reduce carbon footprint by 90%, (3) Repair infrastructure to eliminate the 7%+ lost to leaks, (4) Complete Sites Reservoir and address aqueduct subsidence, (5) Implement smart water pricing that encourages conservation while protecting low-income families. This requires federal partnership.

Expected Impact

• Increase water recycling from 10% to 50%+ (toward Israel's 87%)

• Strategic desalination expansion with environmental mitigation

• Repair infrastructure to save 7%+ of water lost to leaks annually

• Support Sites Reservoir completion (1.5 million acre-feet capacity)

• Address California Aqueduct subsidence before 87% capacity loss

• Protect Central Valley agriculture—25% of America's food supply

• Create construction and operations jobs while securing water future