The above map tells you a lot about the drought in California. This summer, more than 4 counties had their water supply fall below a 120 day supply, with a couple falling below 60 days. This drought is one of if not the worst drought ever faced by California, and it's only getting worse.
Bureacracy and environmentalists aren't exactly helping with the shortages, either. Los Angeles is unable to take full advantage of nearby lakes due to environmental concerns (Lake Mono is a good example), and attempts at expanding Desalination continues to be stonewalled by environmental concerns and endless bureacracy.
The below article details one of the few plants to make it through the endless permits. After 6 years of permits and countless lawsuits, the plant has finally been approved. Opposition to the plant won environmentalists 14 lawsuits and an agreement for the company to restore 66 acres of wetlands to make up for the environmental damage. However, the desalination plant construction has slowed considerably after the California environmental agency has requested that the company launch an investigation into whether the pipes can be built underground to minimize environmental impact. Knowing California, the Carlsbad plant will never be built.
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_2 ... es-up-near
Desalination, of course, is by no means a clean process - but transporting water for human use is always problematic for the environment, whether it be by purification, desalination, or the variety of other methods. The environmental impact of Desalination generally consists of the destruction of fish eggs and larvae, and the leaking of brine into the environment.
It doesn't entirely matter. Most Californian counties (And the state itself) are deep in debt, unable to afford the expensive process of desalination. So what is the solution to California's Water Woes?
