The Drought and Water Use in California

[barbara]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Agriculture uses 80% of California's water, yet is not subject to the new restrictions (or so I read). It seems to me that restricting lawn-watering and car-washing is only going to get California so far.

That is true but agriculture is big business in California. The valley supplies the fruits and veggies that feed a good portion of the United States. No doubt the farm corporations wielded the political leverage needed to make sure they get the water they need.

On the other hand, I see more WASTED water happening with private individuals. People who water lawns to excess and the water runs off onto sidewalks, people who think their car has to be washed every week end, etc.

[nailer]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Agriculture uses 80% of California's water, yet is not subject to the new restrictions (or so I read). It seems to me that restricting lawn-watering and car-washing is only going to get California so far.

This should be an effective means to get the predominant water users to implement methods that require less water.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Agriculture uses 80% of California's water, yet is not subject to the new restrictions (or so I read). It seems to me that restricting lawn-watering and car-washing is only going to get California so far.

It is. We need to re-think the whole ag business here. Growing water-intensive crops like almonds in the driest parts of the state isn't sustainable on any basis, far less during a mega-drought.

John

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by barbara

On the other hand, I see more WASTED water happening with private individuals. People who water lawns to excess and the water runs off onto sidewalks, people who think their car has to be washed every week end, etc.

I think you may be confusing incidents of water waste with amount of water wasted.

John

[nailer]

Originally Posted by Boreas

It is. We need to re-think the whole ag business here. Growing water-intensive crops like almonds in the driest parts of the state isn't sustainable on any basis, far less during a mega-drought.

John

An aquifer is in the process of being sucked dry in west Texas to grow cotton.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by nailer

An aquifer is in the process of being sucked dry in west Texas to grow cotton.

Same here. A lot of cotton's grown in the San Joaquin Valley.

Same in Arizona, southwest of Phoenix.

Between California and Arizona, the Colorado River peters out before it gets to the Gulf of California.

Stupid.

[nailer]

To draw nationwide attention to the water crisis we could start a boycott cotton movement, but it's just too darn comfy!

[Pio1980]

Was a time we sucked down the aquafers to produce a paid-for surplus, which was then dumped. Gotta love the forsight of special interest lobbyists.

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[Boreas]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

Was a time we sucked down the aquafers to produce a paid-for surplus, which was then dumped. Gotta love the forsight of special interest lobbyists.

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Thanks to satellite technology, we can see something we never could see before: the ground shrinking/subsiding over huge areas as we pump the water out from underneath it.

This whole issue strikes me as a golden opportunity for a brand new kind of denier.

John

[nailer]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

Was a time we sucked down the aquafers to produce a paid-for surplus, which was then dumped. Gotta love the forsight of special interest lobbyists.

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Science gives us the power to use this water, and equally valuable soil, to fuel our vehicles.