Water Policy in the Western USA - Essay Example

Water policy in the western USA Water policy in the western USA Introduction Water scar in the United s has necessitated the development of a framework for the distribution of water to different parts of the country. The process of policy development in the United States differs depending on the region, the water demand in the same region, different uses of water among other factors. Historically, water has always had a special and disruptive role in the life of the Americans since the time they set foot in the country. This was captured by the statements of Benjamin franklin in which he highlighted that the worth of water is always noted whenever the wells dry up (Roos, 2013). According to the 2000 population census, the population of western United States including cities like California continues to rise and this increases the pressure on water. As the demand for the precious commodity increases, the need for the state governments to develop policies that can protect and ensure its equitable distribution also increases. This paper will discuss the elements of water policies and the process of developing the same policies in western United States especially in the states of California (Von der Portena & De Loë, 2014). Factors affecting water policy development in western US The process of developing water policies is affected by a number of factors, which vary from one state to another, and is influenced by the extent of water demand and use in the region. The terrain and geographical position of California makes it vulnerable to water problems and conflicts and these have been solved through the development of water policies. The enactment of federal laws and regulations has also acted as a way of mitigating the conflicts and bringing together different economically warring factions. The development of water policies in the west especially in California is influenced by a number of factors which are intrinsic to California only. The constant earthquakes and catastrophic events that are common in California have continuously disrupted water supplies to different parts of the state. As a result, the formulation of policies has been influenced by these events and how they have affected the normal water use in the state. According to the United States geological survey, there is a 99% likelihood of a major earthquake in the southern parts of the state according to information from the last three decades. It is only in northern California that the risk is a bit lower but still disrupts the normal water supply and use in the state (Von der Portena & De Loë, 2014). Earthquakes results into damage and the disruption of water infrastructure on the state and these results into the disruption in water supply to different parts of the county. As a result, the development of water policies may only be considered successful if they factor in the impacts of these catastrophic events in their implementations. For example, policies that consider the vulnerability of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will lead to the introduction of mitigation measures, which are procrastinated and intended to prevent normal supply of water in the region (Roos, 2013). This area is important in the supply of water to major cities in California especially San Francisco bay area and the San Joaquin value, all found within the southern part of California. Policies that led to the development of contingency plans and the identification of alternative supplies in these states is essential for a catastrophic event has the potential to wholly disrupt water access. Decline in the ground water basins continue to present a more scaring water problem in western parts of the United States and more specifically in California. The declining groundwater basins in California have affected the nature of policies adopted in the state and the manner in which the scarce resource is allocated to different sectors of the economy. Groundwater basin accounts to more than a third of the water used for agricultural and urban consumption in the state, more specifically during drought and famine in the region (Von der Portena & De Loë, 2014). As a result, the development of regulatory measures meant to control the use of water by different parts of the economy must factor in the water reserve within the groundwater basin at all times. Previously, water policies failed to highlight the importance of groundwater and this has been attributed to the challenges that have faced California in the past. This has led to the creation of water overdraft, which continues to threaten the viability of agricultural production in the area. For example, the development plans and production within the Tulare basin has been previously affected by the overdraft that has been created by lack of consideration for the groundwater level during policy formulation (Von der Portena & De Loë, 2014). An increase in population and urbanization portends an increase in water demand and wastage due to the poor infrastructural supplies developed. California and other parts of western America have continued to witness an upsurge in the general population due to increased morbidity and migration in the region. This has increased the overall water demand in the state and has led to more strain on the few water resources. The process of policy formulation in California and other parts of western United States have been influenced by the population and water demands in the region. A predicted increase in human population and thus an increase in water demand calls for the development of a more vibrant policy, which can mitigate the challenges, expected (Roos, 2013). Agricultural activities cannot be successful in the absence of constant water supply and the management of the flood water that affects agricultural potency. Based on this, the process of water policy formulation is affected by the agricultural activities in the different parts of California and the neighboring states. An increase in agricultural activities results into an increase in water demand and wastage, which must be accounted for by the policies formulated. Evolution of water policies in the face of climate change and urbanization Climate change has continued to put more pressure on climate earth and this has affected the smooth water supply in different parts of the world. Due to the impacts of climate change such as global warming and glaciation, the water bodies have continued to face massive decline, which has led to the need for the development of policies that considers their impacts. Urbanization and the emergence of towns have led to the development of industrial centers, which depend on constant water supply for survival. As a result, the process of water policy formulation in the future must factor in the impacts that both climate change and urbanization creates (Hanak, 2008). An increase in temperature as a result of global warming continues to increase the pressure on our freshwater bodies worldwide. For examples, glacier national parks and other freshwater lacks across the globe have witnessed massive water decline which points to the challenges that lie in the future as a result of climate change. The continuous melting of the glaciers will results into a decline in freshwater supply especially in areas which have continued to depend on the melting of the glaciers for freshwater supply (Roos, 2013). An increase in the temperature will also affects the precipitation process in different parts of California that will results into rain as opposed to snow as has been the norm. Though this may look as a positive gesture, it has the potential to reduce the overall water supply in the state as compared to precipitation in the form of snow. Melting snows and ice in the mountain tops results into slow and constant release of water that ensures a constant supply as opposed to instant rainfall. Future water policies must therefore factor in the shortage that will be created by this decline in the water reservoirs due to increased atmospheric temperatures. Currently, California commercial and domestic water supplies are supported by a system that depends on constant energy supplied by coal and natural gas to recycle and supply to different parts of the state. Continued use of bottled water contributes to greenhouse gas emission, which further complicates the climate change equation and water policies in the state. With the current push to abandon certain energy sources, the supply of water to different parts of the state that rely on this source of energy can be interfered with. The country has adopted a carbon credit approach that seeks to compensate states that reduce carbon emission into the atmosphere, an approach that can result into decline in water supply in California. As a result, the water policies adopted in the future must consider the push to limit greenhouse gas emission into the atmosphere (Hanak, 2008). Urbanization and industrialization pushes the water demand in California to a level higher than was witnessed before the development of cottage industries in the state. The state has witnessed a consistent increase in urbanization as a result of the increase in population and the development of different industries. Most of these industries, which serve as the livelihood of the people in the state, use large quantities of water for the processes. Restricting industry growth is not an option and the supply of water cannot also be interrupted due to lack of enough water supplies (Roos, 2013). As a result, the water policies developed in the state must factor in the impacts of industrialization and urbanization on water availability, use and wastage. The trend of growth witnessed in the past will continue to be seen in California and this will continue to affect the level of water supply in the cities and towns across the state. To be safe and eliminate water challenges, water policies must factor in the impacts of industrialization on water supply and use. Increase in population and industrialization creates a high demand for raw materials and agricultural farm inputs that are dependent highly on constant water supply. With the current population of western US and the estimations produced by the last census, water supply will continue to be a challenge unless policies are adopted that address the high demand. Agricultural water supply cannot be interrupted due to the role it plays in ensuring the food security of the region and the continuous operation of the industries (Hanak, 2008). Guiding principles for crafting water policies The future water policies must be cognizant of the current and future pressures exerted on the water reservoirs in the country. To ensure that the country and the western region develop proper water policies, a number of principles must be used to guide the process and eliminate the challenges that have continued to affect California (Roos, 2013). First, the present and the projected future demand that is affected by a number of dynamic factors must influence water supply. By developing water policies based on the demand, the changes in the population and the economic activities will be projected and factored in the water supply. This will eliminate constant water shortages in the region and ensure that the economic activities are not interrupted. The forces of supply and demand used in other economic areas in the region must be adopted in the development of water policies in the state (Hanak, 2008). By balancing the demand and the supply, the policy will ensure that an equitable balance is achieved which will not apportion water use without considering the demand and the supply. Areas with low water reservoirs must develop proper water management approaches especially if the demand is high as compared to the supply. Other areas with high supply relative to the demand should also be developed as reservoirs for the region especially during catastrophes in the regions that are more prone. Therefore, the development of policies in the future must consider the economics of the process before engaging in water distribution in different parts of the region (Von der Portena & De Loë, 2014). References Hanak, E. (2008). Is Water Policy Limiting Residential Growth? Evidence from California. Land Economics, 84(1), 31-50. Roos, V. (2013). Water policy issues of critical concern to almond growers. Western Farm Press, 35(20), 32-34. Von der Portena, S., & de Loë, R. C. (2014). Water policy reform and Indigenous governance. Water Policy, 16(2), 222-243. doi:10.2166/wp.2013.046. Read More