A comparison of strategies used and considered to mitigate droughts in California

Abstract

While California has ideal weather for many activities, beaches, and mountains, the water shortage in the state has caused challenges for its growing population. The state has implemented some water saving measures but must do more to meet its needs as its population continues to increase. This paper explores what has been done and what might be done to seek more sources of water. Existing literature tends to examine individual options, instead of performing a broader comparison. This study uses comparative analysis to evaluate multiple approaches to mitigating the effects of drought in California, comparing cost information, technical maturity, and less easily quantified advantages and disadvantages. The study found that conservation, wastewater recycling, water transfer, and similar options have been used successfully in California in the past and should continue to be used. Because all those approaches except wastewater recycling are reaching their limits, the most feasible method to mitigate future droughts in California is increased use of wastewater recycling. However, it faces some emotional and political obstacles to its widespread use.