California is once again in a serious drought, the second in a decade. It is a recurring problem in the arid West, but even in dry periods, we should have enough water to meet our needs. Voters understood that in 2014 when they approved a $7.5 billion water bond, which included $2.7 billion to fund construction of new dams and reservoirs. Unfortunately, few projects are underway, or even in the planning stage.
Our largest dams and reservoirs were built before 1979, most between 1945 and 1968, when our population was less than half its current size. My caucus and I have long supported efforts to increase water storage and conveyance capacity, to expand water recycling, and increase use of desalination.
The governor has announced a new water plan for the state that would create storage for
