For Economic Growth, California Must Address Threats to Water System

California must address the threats to its water system now in order for its economy to grow and prosper, according to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California. Threats to the water system include catastrophic disruptions in the water supply from earthquakes and levee failures, long-term uncertainty of water supply reliability which discourages business and infrastructure investments, declining groundwater basins, and an increasing risk of catastrophic floods. The authors argue that existing tools, such as water markets and reuse of highly treated water, will allow California to manage future water shortages, but only with continued expansion and only if the threats are addressed now.