How We View and Value Water in the Bay Region Kathleen Van Velsor. Environmental Planner- Sustainable Silicon Valley Water Summit, Dec. 7 th, 2009

Do you recognize this water body? Do you recognize this water body?

This one?

This one? Or this one?

Orientation to Bay Area Water We have an estimated 400 watersheds within the Bay Region before counting groundwater basins and sub-basins: We have an estimated 400 watersheds within the Bay Region before counting groundwater basins and sub-basins: Each watershed has multiple land uses. Each watershed has multiple land uses. Degree of understanding of each watershed varies. Degree of understanding of each watershed varies. Many have not had basic hydrologic analyses performed and water flows are not gauged. Many have not had basic hydrologic analyses performed and water flows are not gauged. Some are well managed. Many have no comprehensive management regime. Some are well managed. Many have no comprehensive management regime.

Orientation to Bay Area Water We import more water than any other hydrologic region of California. We import more water than any other hydrologic region of California. We are expanding our imported supplies. We are expanding our imported supplies. We are expanding water conservation and recycling – creating new cooperative networks We are expanding water conservation and recycling – creating new cooperative networks

Bay Area Water In many instances, our growth and water consumption rates are on the same trajectory. In many instances, our growth and water consumption rates are on the same trajectory. Many of the sub-regions are water challenged. Many of the sub-regions are water challenged. Conflict among suppliers and users is commonplace. Conflict among suppliers and users is commonplace. Heavy dependence on imported water supplies Heavy dependence on imported water supplies especially Delta-based and Russian/Eel River- based especially Delta-based and Russian/Eel River- based

Bay Area Water Poor data on how much water we have on hand in the region – Poor data on how much water we have on hand in the region – entitlements and how much we divert and pump. entitlements and how much we divert and pump. Supplied by roughly 100 water retailers, wholesalers, contractors (local, state, federal) to a range of land uses -- each with their own governance Supplied by roughly 100 water retailers, wholesalers, contractors (local, state, federal) to a range of land uses -- each with their own governance Commercial/industrial Commercial/industrial Residential and mixed uses Residential and mixed uses Large landscapes and agricultural Large landscapes and agricultural

Frames Views of water are framed by our common understandings and misunderstandings Views of water are framed by our common understandings and misunderstandings Water is cheap relative to other commodities Water is cheap relative to other commodities Our projected needs for water are accurate Our projected needs for water are accurate We are guaranteed a certain supply of water We are guaranteed a certain supply of water Water needs to become more expensive to be reliable Water needs to become more expensive to be reliable Water is plentiful in the Bay Area– for the most part Water is plentiful in the Bay Area– for the most part Water generally comes from the tap (via reservoirs) Water generally comes from the tap (via reservoirs) We don’t rely on local water or watersheds We don’t rely on local water or watersheds Water supplies are fully protected from hazards Water supplies are fully protected from hazards

Frames Our groundwater supplies are not challenged Our groundwater supplies are not challenged Water experts will secure and protect supplies Water experts will secure and protect supplies There are secret supplies of water if push comes to shove -- the experts are holding out on us There are secret supplies of water if push comes to shove -- the experts are holding out on us Suburban communities and farmers waste water, but urban users do not Suburban communities and farmers waste water, but urban users do not Smarter, dense growth means less water consumption Smarter, dense growth means less water consumption

Distinct World Views of Water and Values Associated with Them Bay Area water as coming from the tap (practical/reliable) through a pipe, channel (engineered) or water “temple” (divine and engineered) Bay Area water as coming from the tap (practical/reliable) through a pipe, channel (engineered) or water “temple” (divine and engineered)

Distinct World Views of Water Bay Area water as Delta-sourced Bay Area water as Delta-sourced

Distinct Views of Water Sources Bay Area reservoirs Bay Area reservoirs Bay Area water as local creeks, rivers and ground waters Bay Area water as local creeks, rivers and ground waters Sources in the Sierras/No. California Sources in the Sierras/No. California Tuolumne, Mokelumne, American Rivers Russian River Eel River

Distinct World Views of Water Bay Area water as ocean-derived Bay Area water as ocean-derived Desalination as the future of water Desalination as the future of water

Distinct World Views of Water Bay Area water as conservation-derived and reclaimed, recycled and captured Bay Area water as conservation-derived and reclaimed, recycled and captured Land use planning as intimately tied to water resource planning Land use planning as intimately tied to water resource planning

Distinct World Views of Water Water as a supply for industry and commerce Water as a supply for industry and commerce Water as an essential ingredient for habitat protection and restoration; fisheries management Water as an essential ingredient for habitat protection and restoration; fisheries management

Holistic approach to water resource management in the region? Is it possible? As affected by a range of factors: Rate and styles of growth and development Rate and styles of growth and development Conservation of water resource lands and waterways Conservation of water resource lands and waterways Climate change Climate change Ability to adopt decision strategy Ability to adopt decision strategy Politics and socio-economics Politics and socio-economics Availability of talented professionals and citizen experts Availability of talented professionals and citizen experts Ability to cooperate and incorporate distinct world views Ability to cooperate and incorporate distinct world views Ability to incorporate other models of management Ability to incorporate other models of management Tendencies to shoot the messenger Tendencies to shoot the messenger Investments in styles of doing business Investments in styles of doing business Objective assessment of water supplies, uses and projected uses Adequacies of existing water resource management plans Integrating land use planning and water resource management Education about the wide array of water resources in the Bay Area