Alternative Water Sources Urgently Needed, State Told : Environment: Regional agency officials say more water must come from Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. But the need will pit diverse interests.

Regional water agency executives Thursday urged the state to swiftly develop alternative water sources to avert severe shortages predicted to occur during the next 30 years by the state Department of Water Resources.

John V. Foley, chairman of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which provides water to nearly 16 million people in six counties, told officials during a hearing, “The state needs to act quickly.”

He said it’s especially important in the short term to develop alternative water sources because the amount of water transported south from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta will be limited for environmental reasons.

However, water industry representatives said ultimately, more water must be taken from the delta. The complex issue pits environmentalists, the fishery industry and other interests that advocate strong delta protections against those who stress the need to divert more water for agriculture and domestic use.

Lawrence P. Gallagher, chairman of West Basin Municipal Water District, said a balance can be reached over the delta.

“The critical water issue in California is managing the fragile delta estuary in a manner that can preserve the environment and balance the multiple uses of its water resources,” he said.

But the water officials emphasized pursuit of other sources to secure adequate water supplies for the future.

They talked about the importance of waste-water recycling, off-stream water storage instead of building expensive new reservoirs, better managing ground water and, to a limited extent, looking more at desalting ocean water.

Foley added another suggestion to develop more water resources. “State cooperation with local agencies should include streamlining regulatory hurdles for new facilities,” he said.

A recent Department of Water Resources report predicted that by 2020, most Californians will experience frequent and severe water shortages in both drought and normal years.

The hearing Thursday was the first of 10 scheduled throughout the state before the final water report is submitted to the Legislature in June.