The Importance Of Water Conservation In California

Water conservation is a very important aspect to the survival of the farmers in the California Central Valley. Lately the reservoirs have not been holding the maximum capacity or necessary water. The snowpack and rainfall over the past years have not been substantial enough to provide enough water for the farmers in the Valley or other major cities in California that do not have ample water supply for their population. Los Angeles is one major city who depends upon water being brought to them from places further north the San Luis Reservoir. Many regulations have been placed upon water usage in California. As of yet their have been no major regulations placed on groundwater usage but a lot has been placed on the reservoirs.

The biggest issue that a farmer in the California Central Valley has to deal with is water. The obstacle has become more pronounced as the years go on. Drought is a large shadow that constantly hangs over the life of a farmer. Will there be enough winter and spring storms to keep the supply boosted? Will there be more regulations this year for the amount of water used? Few people understand that Agriculture in the Valley is a necessity and that without it the price of food will go up and the perfect farm land will be put to waste with a new development coming in. The economics of the Valley’s agriculture is essential to learn and understand. If the farmers are not able to consume the necessary amount of water to have a successful output then everyone will suffer.

“In one ongoing case, a federal judge has restricted the operations of irrigation pumps in the Sacramento Delta because they are endangering a tiny fish called the delta smelt (Cornett P.1).” If governemental regulations continue in t...

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...he farmers here in the Valley.

“California farmers probably will take 82,000 acres out of cultivation this year if the state gets an average amount of rain and snow this winter, according to a recent study commissioned by Western Growers, which represents the California and Arizona produce industries. The economic loss would reach at least $69 million in farm production, according to the study (Halper).” That much of a loss is substantial to take into account. Farmers will not be the only one’s to suffer we have to worry about the whole population. A $69 million dollar loss will affect no only the farmers but those that purchase their commodities. Unfortunately there will not be enough water supply this year to make everyone happy. So people will have to learn about how to deal with the scarcity of this resource for this year and sadly many more years to come.