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Study finds California can cut farm water use
CALIFORNIA Billions of gallons could be conserved, authors say,
Kelly Zito, Chronicle Staff Writer
Published 4:00 am, Monday, September 8, 2008
By growing less thirsty crops and investing in more efficient irrigation technology, California farmers could save billions of gallons of water each year - the equivalent of three dams to 20 dams, according to a controversial new report by an influential water policy think tank.
In a study to be released today, researchers at Oakland's Pacific Institute say that before Californians take on costly new dam and reservoir projects, state and federal policymakers need to build on existing methods for reducing agricultural water use.
The report, titled "More with Less: Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency in California - A Focus on the Delta," stresses that agriculture remains an important part of California's economy. However, with farmers using about 80 percent of the water drawn from the critically ill Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, researchers said agricultural water conservation must expand - and quickly.
"No one has ever evaluated the potential for improving the efficiency of agricultural water use," said Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute and co-author of the report. "We found there is a lot of potential for savings ... and they're extensions of things farmers are already doing."
Farmers who shift away from water-intensive crops, invest in high-tech watering systems and irrigate only at precise times in the growing cycle could save between 600,000 and 3.4 million acre-feet of water each year, Gleick said. One acre-foot is roughly 326,000 gallons, and represents the amount of water needed to cover 1 acre of land to a depth of 1 foot.
While water use in California has been a historical source of conflict between urban and agricultural consumers, the issue has taken on new urgency in recent years amid predictions of a drier climate, booming population growth and ecological damage to the delta - the hub of the state's water system.
The agriculture industry, however, bristles at the notion that its operations are wasteful.
"The idea that farmers are not seeking more efficient ways to do business is an insult to California agriculture," said Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition, a group aimed at helping farmers boost water efficiency. "Changes are occurring when it's cost-effective and when the technology is available."
Though Wade said conservation has a role to play in the state's water crisis, he said additional water storage is also necessary. Several state water bond proposals vying for a place on the November ballot include billions for building new dams and reservoirs.
The Pacific Institute researchers suggest that dams, or a proposed peripheral canal - which would route water around the delta, where certain fish populations are crashing - may be necessary. But first, researchers said, the state must create a better system for tracking water use.
"Wouldn't it be best to know exactly how much water we need to deliver so we don't overbuild (dams) or spend more money than we need to spend?" Gleick said.
The report suggests several other practical solutions, including boosting outreach programs to help teach farmers about new techniques and giving farmers tax breaks for water-saving irrigation systems.
The report also recommends broader changes to state and federal policies that are sure to draw sharp criticism from farmers.
Gleick said policymakers should reduce or realign federal subsidies that encourage the growing of low-value, water-heavy crops such as alfalfa and cotton.
But Wade said the market - not policymakers - drives crop choices.
"It's like saying to a restaurant, 'You have to be a shoe store because it uses less water,' " Wade said.
Finally, the study recommends that the state develop a more rational water rights system aimed at cutting waste. Under the law, users with the earliest water claims have the highest priority for receiving water. But with the dire situation in the delta, a record-breaking dry spell and some communities under mandatory restrictions, experts say it may be time to re-evaluate how and to whom water is allocated.
"We're at an extremely important point where climate change, looming drought and the worsening, deepening ecological problems are all coming together," said Cynthia Koehler, senior consulting attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund. "People realize that 19th century and even 20th century solutions to water problems are not the solutions for the 21st century. We need to look at how we move water around, how we allocate it, how we allocate it for the environment."