Water-Starved California Slows Development

[XemaSab]

As California faces one of its worst droughts in two decades, building projects are being curtailed for the first time under state law by the inability of developers to find long-term water supplies.

Water authorities and other government agencies scattered throughout the state, including here in sprawling Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, have begun denying, delaying or challenging authorization for dozens of housing tracts and other developments under a state law that requires a 20-year water supply as a condition for building.

California officials suggested that the actions were only the beginning, and they worry about the impact on a state that has grown into an economic powerhouse over the last several decades.

The state law was enacted in 2001, but until statewide water shortages, it had not been invoked to hold up projects.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/us/07drought.html

(The end of the article discusses imposing restrictions on farmers, but my personal fear is that that would just free up water for more housing. Housing developers are the real enemy in this state.)

[justinsb]

1. Any ideas on what California is going to do for water?

Desalinization is an option I suppose but it's really expensive (people would start getting billed by the gallon for water).

[XemaSab]

2. We've got plenty of water

We just don't have plenty of water for lawns. :shrug:

[justinsb]

5. That's It...

That's one of the arguments against massive water diversions from the great lakes - 'Tell the South West no more lawns, gardens, golf courses, fountains or private swimming pools - then we'll talk about water again'

[kestrel91316]

9. We have PLENTY of water. We just let most of it go onto lawns and

tropical water-hog landscaping in a desert climate. We're nothing if not short-sighted around these parts. We need a landscaping code like Tucson's, IMHO.

[MichiganVote]

3. Then start conserving your water California. Cuz' you're NOT getting it from the Great Lakes.

[justinsb]

4. Definitely not..no Great Lakes water diversions

(I'm in Toronto)

[XemaSab]

8. Hey, MY ass

is arguing for no Sacramento River diversions. :hide:

[Sal Minella]

6. "Water-starved human race slows reproduction" would logically be the next headline,

but I don't expect to see it anytime soon. People will choose to keep having oodles of babies while griping at government entities to magically somehow produce more water.

[NNadir]

7. My understanding was that the brazillion solar roofs were going to run desalination plants.