Got Water? What's your answer...

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMMITTEE, INC.
UNITED IN THE PURSUIT OF A RELIABLE WATER FUTURE

Water is the driving force of California’s economy. The development of our water resources has enabled the state to become the nation’s top agricultural and industrial producer, and the world’s seventh-largest economy. With its population exceeding 34 million, California’s continued growth and workforce depend on a continuous, reliable supply of water.

The Water Supply Dilemma
The path toward a secure water future, however, has been blocked by a myriad of complex issues. At the center is the critical question – how to stretch the state’s limited water supply to meet future needs.

Currently, only intensive management of a complicated, overtaxed, and aging water infrastructure is maintaining adequate supply. By 2020, California will be home to 49 million people. At this rate, the state will face a water supply shortage of 2.4 million acre-feet during normal years of rainfall and up to 6.2 million acre-feet in drought years. (An acre-foot of water is approximately 326,000 gallons – enough to meet the average needs of one to two residential households in a year.)

Water shortages can exact a tremendous toll on both our economy and our lifestyle. One study indicates that a water shortage of just 30 percent could threaten more than 46,000 jobs and reduce industrial production by nearly $12 billion. The impact will be most acutely felt in Southern California, where 80 percent of the state’s population is concentrated, but only 30 percent of the water falls.

The Voice for Southern California
Since 1984, one organization has effectively fought to ensure that Southern California’s water needs and concerns are heard. The Southern California Water Committee (SCWC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings together eight counties and their diverse interests for one purpose: to secure adequate, reliable, affordable, quality supply of water for all Californians. Water is our sole interest.

Members of the SCWC include the Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Kern, and Imperial, and more than 200 others representing business, government, water agencies, and private citizens.

The SCWC is a powerful voice for Southern California because it reflects a broad consensus on water issues. Strong leadership and the collective expertise of its members allow the SCWC to contribute ample resources and viable strategies to statewide water resolution efforts. Furthermore, the SCWC’s focus on forming collaborations and building consensus among other groups serves to maximize results.

The SCWC in Action
The SCWC is an independent advocate for Southern California’s water interests. By testifying at regulatory hearings, serving on statewide advisory committees, and petitioning public officials, the SCWC influences the outcome of important water policy decisions.

Two out of every three Californians receive some or all of their drinking water from the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta estuary. The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is our best opportunity to resolve water issues threatening our economic prosperity. The SCWC has been and continues to be at the forefront of efforts to guarantee that the CALFED plan results in improved water supply and water quality for urban and agricultural uses. The SCWC insists that fast action must be taken on the CALFED plans for conveyance and storage components. Southern California’s water needs must be a priority and construction of critical infrastructure must be started now.

Southern California is facing a reduction in the amount of water supplied by the Colorado River. The SCWC is championing California’s Colorado River Plan and closely follows the negotiations involving the Governor, the Secretary of the Interior and other basin states to ensure that Southern California’s interests are not compromised. The SCWC is committed to ensuring an uninterruptible flow of Colorado River water to Southern California.

SCWC keeps Southern California water issues in the forefront of the California’s legislature. With a task force analyzing emerging legislative issues and developing positions, the SCWC acts as a legislative advocate working with our regional representatives to secure the votes on water-related legislation affecting Southern California.

The Quest for our Water Future
The strong voice of Southern California Water Committee has achieved significant advances for Southern California water issues. The SCWC’s unwavering dedication to representing Southern California has initiated the momentum necessary to finding solutions to our region’s water needs. We cannot risk losing that momentum. It is critical that the SCWC continue to lead the quest for a secure water future.

It is good business sense to join an organization that is dedicated to tomorrow’s bottom line. The SCWC has the commitment and expertise to influence the outcome of water issues that affect your interests. Looking to the future, membership in the Southern California Water Committee strengthens Southern California’s voice and increases Southern California’s impact on water issues.

Get water! That's our answer.

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