From disputes over who should have access to diminishing water supplies, to groundwater contamination, California’s drought has dominated the news lately. But according to Sara Aminzadeh of the California Coastkeeper Alliance, a network of local groups working to protect their watersheds, California’s water woes are long-standing.

Aminzadeh: “The drought is not necessarily causing these issues. It’s just making the issues more intense.”

For example, with less surface water available, some communities are forced to rely on groundwater, which can be contaminated.

Aminzadeh: “We’ve seen a lot of information come out – startling information – about arsenic and nitrates in our groundwater basins in the Central Valley. That really underscores the need to use our existing clean water supplies in a much more careful, thoughtful way.”

The drought also highlights the need to share water equitably.

Aminzadeh: “Some of the wealthier areas are just using much, much more water. And some of the other communities are simply running out of water.”

In 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation saying that access to safe, clean, and affordable water is a basic human right. It’s also a growing challenge as climate change creates even hotter, drier conditions.

Reporting credit: ChavoBart Digital Media.
Photo: Copyright protected.

More Resources
State Study Finds Numerous Communities Rely On Contaminated Groundwater Sources for their Drinking Water Supply
Unsafe Drinking Water Adds to California’s Drought Misery