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Water-energy dependency may put a damper on water banking in California

Posted by: Maven on June 16, 2009 at 8:06 am

From AlterNet:

We’ve been following some of the issues related to the drought in California. In response to water shortages, a “water bank” has been implemented to allow users who do not use all of their water to sell it to other users. In theory, such a system allows water to be used in an efficient manner, with higher priority users gaining the ability to purchase water when there are shortages.

In looking at the reality of implementing such a system, however, it becomes clear that there are challenges on many levels. This is evidenced by the fact that despite the state’s efforts, it will likely only promote the trade of 82,000 acre feet of water this year — less than 15% of what it had been hoping for.

One major challenge is related to the price of food crops, which have risen drastically in the last year, making the sale of water less appealing to farmers. Additionally, there is the fundamental challenge of getting the water where it needs to be once it has been purchased, a task that requires vast amounts of energy.

In many places, where water-energy dependency is already an issue, this may detract from the potential benefit that could be derived from systems like water banking.

Read more from AlterNet by clicking here.

June 16, 2009 · Filed Under Water Banking

Comments

One Response to “Water-energy dependency may put a damper on water banking in California”

  1. WayneLusvardi on June 17th, 2009 12:05 pm

    Writer Meaghan Daly at WaterMatters doesn’t have a clue as to what she is writing about. For example, my understanding of the State Water Project is that the California Aqueduct generates a net positive revenue stream (water pumping costs plus or minus hydro energy sales). Conversely, the Colorado River Aqueduct generates a net negative revenue stream from what I remember from working at the MWD for 20 years. Also, if the capacity of local groundwater basins is recharged this might reduce the energy cost of pumping imported water.

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