Man-made drought: How water policy affected the California drought

Abstract

The average person never has to think about water, they turn on the faucet and it's there. Yes, we drink it, shower in it, clean our clothes and dishes in it, but it seems like there is an endless supply available. Unfortunately, that is not the case. While it may seem that water is always plentiful it is one of the most precious resources we use. Like other resources there are competitors for water, but who are they? Essentially, everyone is a competitor for water from a farmer who needs to irrigate crops, to a city which must provide clean water to its citizens, to the environment where it provides a unique ecosystem. Water rights provide us with the ability to determine the allocation of water between these competitors.

Unfortunately, water policy is fragmented and inconsistent throughout the states. Federal policy outlines standards, but it allows the states to use their own discretion to meet this standard. Under normal circumstances, it might seem like a nonissue, but under long and strenuous drought conditions, like those of California, policy can make all the difference.