Reimagining Water Infrastructure in a Changing California

For much of the 20th century, California’s water supply strategy has relied on building large reservoirs and conveyance systems to store and divert surface water and drilling ever deeper wells to tap declining aquifers. This approach has brought many benefits but has also come at great social, economic, and environmental costs. Moreover, these traditional water supplies are tapped out. Even in wet years, the state’s major rivers are overallocated and major aquifers severely overdrafted. Dry years intensify these issues.

Persistent water challenges, the severe drought, and the intensifying effects of climate change highlight the vulnerability of California’s water systems and the need for new approaches.