(October 14, 2008) In early June, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought and a local drought emergency in nine Central Valley counties.

Water levels in reservoirs throughout the state have been drawn down to compensate for the lack of rain and they are dropping at alarming rates—some to historic lows. The combined impact of recent court-ordered cuts in water deliveries, rainfall shortages, and low reservoir carryover is creating unmatched challenges for growers and consumers.

The Department of Water Resources designated 2008 as a “critically dry” year for two major river systems in the state. In a survey of Association of California Water Agencies members, 79 percent of respondents said another dry year would require a stepped up response in 2009. What this means for California’s water picture is that the economic and environmental losses the state has endured this year will be exacerbated by another dry year. Ultimately, ongoing drought will result in an explosive fire season and consumers will see higher prices for produce and other food products, along with more pressure being put on the state’s groundwater resources.  Current mandatory water restrictions in some parts of the state may turn into rationing in chronically water short areas. 

According to the Metropolitan Water District, the drought California is currently enduring is far from “business as usual” for the state. “We have entered a new and worrisome water era, where the problems of below-normal rain and snowfall are made much worse by water supply restrictions due to deteriorating environmental conditions,” said Metropolitan Board Chairman Timothy F. Brick. 

CalChamber has been front and center of the movement to enact a water bond that will greatly improve water infrastructure in the state and protect us from future, severe water crises.“This year’s drought and environmental issues have emphasized the fact that our state’s water system is in crisis,” said Zaremberg. “Waiting and watching will only deepen that crisis.” 

CalChamber believes that nothing short of a comprehensive set of solutions that address delivery, storage, and conservation efforts will work to keep our state healthy, our economy growing, and California moving forward.  The water system that contributed to California’s emergence as one of the world’s major economic powers is faltering and existing facilities are barely able to meet current public demand.  Our future economic vitality depends on permanent changes and we need to begin that work now.