From the Californians for Water Security:
In a press release yesterday, Governor Newsom released the state’s updated Water Plan detailing the state’s plans to protect California’s water supplies from the climate crisis while boosting our state’s ability to capture and store water when dry conditions return. The Governor touted the need for the Delta Conveyance Project as a “foundational” component to the state Water Plan and “one of the most important projects this state can advance.”
Here’s what Governor Newsom said:
“In the past few years alone, we’ve gone from extreme drought to some of the most intense rain and snow seasons on record – showcasing the need for us to constantly adapt to how we manage our water supplies. The water plans and strategies we’re implementing are each targeted components of our overall effort to deliver clean water to Californians by capturing, storing, and conserving more water throughout the state.
“The Delta conveyance is foundational, its critical, if we’re going to address the issue of climate change. It is a climate project. It is one of the most important projects this state can advance.”
“More is needed to expand California’s water supplies. During this year’s storms alone, the Delta Conveyance Project could’ve captured enough water to supply 9.4 million people.”
More than two-thirds of Californians rely on a system of aging dirt levees, aqueducts and pipes to deliver water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to homes, farms and businesses throughout the state. This aging system is outdated and at risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake or flood. This water delivery system also must be modernized to better prepare for climate change and the resulting extreme droughts, floods, and increasing salinity from rising sea levels.
Californians for Water Security supports Governor Newsom’s plan for a single pipeline conveyance system through the Delta. We must ensure that the single pipeline is designed to carry enough capacity to provide ample water security and that the project is financially viable.
In case you missed it, read more about Governor Newsom’s Water Plan here.
