The Southern California Water Committee

Op-Eds

SCWC often submits Opinion Editorials to publications across the state in order to maintain an active role in the statewide dialogue on critical water issues. In this section, you’ll find a chronological archive of SCWC Opinion Editorials.

Building An Earthquake Kit For Our Water Supply System

Fox & Hounds
By Richard W. Atwater
Posted: 01/12/2012 09:15:00 AM PDT

As Californians, we’re all keenly aware of the “big one” that’s looming. I would imagine that most people consider the potential impacts of an earthquake in their community. So we buy earthquake kits, flashlights, bottled water, extra canned food for our homes—we take action to prepare. And I imagine that most people expect that those who manage our state’s infrastructure and other public services also take the necessary steps to prepare for a major earthquake. In many ways, California is ahead of the game. Billions of dollars have been spent to retrofit bridges, highways, hospitals, schools and prisons. But to date, no effective measures have been taken to secure our water supply in the event of an earthquake.

Guest View: Increasing storm-water capture is doable

San Gabriel Valley Tribune
By Richard W. Atwater
Posted: 03/30/2011 07:49:21 PM PDT

There are always two sides of a coin. Southern California has been gripped by powerful and fierce storms this year that have wreaked havoc and caused extensive damage in some communities. Drought warnings, mandatory water conservation and rationing may be distant memories, but we should not rest easy.