Common Sense on Water Sources

Now that he is back at work in Sacramento, Gov. Pete Wilson has a large backlog of bills to sign or veto. One that merits quick approval is SB 901, meant to bring a modicum of order to the historically haphazard process by which cities and towns have expanded with little thought of where that California essential--water--would come from. Surprisingly, developers in this largely semiarid state have never been explicitly required to find sources of water, often forcing local water agencies to search for a source after homes are built. The recent drought years have underscored the risk of this practice.

The bill, authored by Sen. Jim Costa (D-Fresno), would impose a new requirement on any city or county approving a new development of 500 or more houses or hotel rooms or business employing more than 1,000 people. As part of the environmental impact report, officials would have to ask the local water supplier to identify sources of water for the new project--plus existing customers--for the next 20 years. It would not prevent cities from approving developments, only force them to confront the water issue. Nearly half of the 110 projects now under construction or planning identify the State Water Project as their source, which is California dreamin’ because that water is spoken for.

The Costa bill was originally promoted by the California Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural interests that feared that growing urbanization would suck farms and ranches dry in drought years since homes have top priority on water. The farm interests have been joined by numerous urban water agencies, including the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

After an amendment made clear that water agencies would have no veto power over new development, support came from most of the building and development industry, including the politically powerful Irvine Co. in Orange County and the Newhall Land and Farming Co. of Valencia. Even the California Chamber of Commerce now approves.

But nothing is simple when it comes to water, the source of power and wealth in the Golden State. Backers of the Costa bill fear that some big landholders--concerned that environmentalists will take over water agency boards in attempts to control growth--will persuade the governor to veto the measure as nothing more than another regulatory barrier to business.

The larger common good is obvious in a state whose population is expected to grow by 2 million just from current developments. Wilson has until Oct. 15 to sign this modest gesture toward common sense and a brighter future. The sooner he does so the better.