This week started with a phone interview with Joe Berg, the Water Use Efficiency Program Manager for the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC). Mr. Berg provided me with some insightful information regarding the relationship between MWDOC, a wholesale water supplier, and their 28 water retail water agencies (1). I discovered that the MWDOC supports the state’s mandatory water restrictions; however they do have some concerns with the how the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) was implanting their emergency conservation regulation. They had hoped the State Board would recognize Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR), and give more consideration to historical conservation efforts in establishing mandated cuts to the various water urban water suppliers statewide.
The reason I mention their concerns is because I am discovering that it is very difficult to find a group/organization/agency that I can define as opposing the water restrictions. What I am learning is that there is opposition to certain specifics of the restrictions, with more aggressive opposition from some, such as the City of Riverside filing suit against the state (please read http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-riverside-water-reduction-lawsuit-20150609-story.html).
For this reason, I am considering developing a listing of those that fully support the mandatory water restrictions and those that don’t necessarily oppose the restrictions but have one or more major points of contention with the policy.
Another thing I am learning is that approximately 2/3 of the state’s residents support mandatory water restrictions. In fact I have conducted my own survey that is revealing 60% in support, with nearly 30% of those surveyed unsure of whether they support or oppose the restrictions. Comments received do show that residents have varying opinions with which sector (agriculture/business/residential) should work harder at conservation.
In general, I think that there are very few in the state oppose increased efforts to conserve water due to the severity of the drought. Those that do oppose the restrictions seem to think that they conserve enough, and others should do their fair share.
Finally, I may have found another forum for my in-person presentation. I met with two gentlemen from the Public Works Department in my hometown, Brea, and they are going to reach out to the Chamber of Commerce to allow me to speak at their meeting in July. They asked me to submit an outline of my presentation (which I promised to have to them in two weeks) for their review. I am hoping this opportunity works out, as I feel sharing what I have learned regarding the restrictions will help the Chamber which is composed of business owners that also happen to be residents of the state.
Works Cited:
- “MWDOC.” MWDOC. Municipal Water District of Orange County, 2015. Web. 13 June 2015. <http://www.mwdoc.com/>.