Region’s Water Problems Will Ripple Northward

Southern California meteorologists are calling it the “perfect drought.” The three sources of drinking water for Southern California — Sierra snowpack, the Colorado River basin and regional rainfall — were much lower than normal this year. Fortunately, last year’s high rainfall means there is still plenty of water in storage.

(But) what will happen if this weather pattern continues next year? Or for a decade or more, as occurred in the period between 900 and 1300, when the world was warming (as scientists say is happening today)?

Through conservation and by recycling … Los Angeles water demand has been relatively flat over the last two decades, despite the addition of a million new residents. Further reductions will be more difficult to achieve.

Sonoma County residents who wonder why this is relevant to their own lives should consider the following: A prolonged drought in the south will place more pressure on Northern California to share its water. … Some day the perfect drought will come to Northern California, too.

— Press Democrat (Santa Rosa)

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