Current Water Shortages in California California Water Issues

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3. Current Water Shortages in CA

Shortages are the result of:

• Increased populations and demand
  
• Policy failures
  
• Global warming resulting in prolonged drought conditions
  

Policy Options

• Shortages could become more severe in the future as population grows and reservoirs dry up
  
• Current trajectory of California's water use will lead to rationing of water
  
• Rationing could come in the form of
  
  • Percentage of past use
    
  • Restricted uses (e.g. car washing, swimming pools, landscaping)
    
• Rationing is economically inefficient. Market prices are the best method to deal with scarcity
  
  • Allow people to adjust usage to meet their own needs
    
  • Pricing mechanisms are available to ensure low income water availability
    
  • Water markets implemented with success in 1990-1991
    
  • Federal Government discourages water markets
    
  • MWD heavily in favor of water markets
    

Desalination:

• Desalination is also an option
  
• Expensive
  
• Energy intensive
  
• Current and planned capacity not enough to deal with shortages