OPINION: Large Scale Desalination Belongs in California’s Water Strategy

In debates over water policy in California, a common argument is that if only we managed the systems we’ve already got, there would be plenty of water for everyone. Agricultural and urban use would not have to be rationed, taxpayers and ratepayers would not have to be unnecessarily burdened, and we wouldn’t have to wait years (ok, decades) for new water projects to navigate the gauntlet of bureaucracy and litigation.

This is a compelling argument, and perhaps we should just let the delta pumps run a bit more while engaging in ultra cost-effective projects, such as dredging the delta and constructing innovative new ways to safely withdraw millions of acre feet from the delta during winter storms. But if Californians want to achieve permanent water abundance, how we manage the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta should not be our only option, but instead be the centerpiece in a much broader vision.