Page 5 - Mid Valley Times 9-12-19 E-edition

Thursday, September 12, 2019 | A5 | Mid Valley TiMes More Opinions Water conservation and rationing in California By Ed Hansen Guest columnist Most Californians would agree that conserving unnec- essary water usage is wise given the increasing demand for water and the uncertain nature of the availability of water resources. Most caring citizens do their best to use and con- serve water as prudently as possible. However, consider- ing the daily need vs. use vs. availability dilemma, have we reached the point where severe water rationing in California is necessary? Do we really need or want state government to dictate our dai- ly use and consumption of wa- ter especially when we seem to have little control over who uses the water we do possess? How do we ensure the equita- ble distribution, use, and costs of water delivery given that many communities, services, and commercial operations do not have water meters as well as face different require- ments for water usage? Ad- mittedly, it’s a big ask! Surprisingly, most Califor- nians are unaware of the As- sembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606 which will go into ef- fect Jan. 1, 2020. These bills were signed into law on May 21, 2018, by our former gov- ernor, Jerry Brown. These laws set new standards for water usage that will impact the lifestyles of all Califor- nians and probably result in additional financial drains on families as well. These 2018 laws established a new stan- dard of 55 gallons of water per person, per day through Jan. 1, 2025. After that date, the standard will be incre- mentally reduced to a target of 50 gallons per person, per day by 2030. While, at first glance, these new laws seem harm- less and prudent, a closer review reveals the high po- tential for severe impacts that will affect the economic lifestyle and living conditions of all Californians. Here are some of the reasons why: The cart is before the horse As usual, our elected rep- resentatives are passing new regulations before conducting adequate study or analysis of the what is required and pos- sible to meet new “pie in sky” water use targets. Existing law already requires a 20% reduction in urban per capita water use by December 2020. These laws require retail wa- ter suppliers to develop water use targets, including interim targets, to achieve the target reductions specified in prior legislation. These plans are still being developed. Now, the 2018 laws are requiring the State Water Resources Control Board and the De- partment of Water Resources to conduct studies and inves- tigations for the development of new water standards and performance measures that affect “indoor residential water use” coupled with a whole litany of long-term plans, reports, responses, orders, and written notifications that will impact water suppliers. Why are we setting new wa- ter standards for families and water suppliers before we have completed adequate study and analysis of reason- able target goals or of the fairness in application, as well as need, for these goals? Disparate treatment It seems willfully unfair and punishing to require some populations to be reg- ulated with water meters while other bigger and more affluent communities do not have meters. Where is the equity? How can such wa- ter rationing goals be im- plemented if there is an un- fair playing field? Again, it seems like big corporations and the wealthy will be the least affected while the rest of us will bear the burden. Unknown Family Sizes There does not appear to be a reasonable and accu- rate means of determining how many persons reside in one family residence. So, how can a “per person” water use standard be accurately deter- mined or implemented? The “honor system” would not be accurate and it is probably illegal to require families to otherwise disclose this infor- mation. Average Water Uses It would be interesting to discover how the 50 gallons per person water use standard was determined. What is the average water use for a typi- cal family? What is typical? What about the differences between apartment dwellers vs. renters or homeowners? There are lots of unknowns related to this question. The following are some water usage statistics tak- en from the EPA and other sources via the Internet: The average family uses 320 gallons of water per day of which about 30 percent is devoted to outdoor uses. The average bath uses 35- 50 gallons of water. The average shower uses about 25 gallons of water (8.2 minutes) Older model toilets take 3.3 gallons of water per flush. Newer model (ULF) toi- lets take 1.8 gallons of water. Daily toilet water use per day, per person is 9.1 gallons The average dishwasher uses 6 gallons per cycle Energy star dishwashers use 4 gallons per cycle The average high efficien- cy clothes washer uses 15-30 gallons of water The average older clothes washer uses 21-45 gallons In conclusion, we can ar- gue about water use stan- dards and water usage until the “cows come home” but it won’t change the fact that very few Californians are aware of the new laws and standards for water usage that are going into effect Jan- uary 2020. Also, many Cali- fornians believe that there are communities (i.e., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sac- ramento) where water meters may or may not be installed in most older homes as com- pared to the little old town of Reedley where every home has a water meter. If it took about 5 years for Reedley to properly complete installation of water meters, how long would it take some of the larg- er communities mentioned above. One guess would be it could take 20 years if they started tomorrow. For sure, there needs to be more dis- cussion, debate, and activism involving California citizens on the important issue of wa- ter rationing in California. Ed Hansen is a Navy Viet- nam veteran and graduate of Reedley College and Cali- fornia State University. He retired from the Treasury Department with 35 years of service. He's a published au- thor on Amazon and winner of “Freedom Foundation at Val- ley Forge Award” for writing. Enjoys personal writing of po- etry and short stories, reading nonfiction material, and gold prospecting as a hobby. Ed Hansen She is amazing. She has accomplished so much and, still, she continues to give more. At Adventist Health in the Central Valley, we put her well-being first. From primary to specialty care, our women’s health experts provide comprehensive services for her unique needs at every stage of life. The Breast Care Center, medical imaging services, the birth centers and countless other services are there to provide her – and all the amazing women in our community – with care that’s as amazing as they are. Explore our women’s care services at AdventistHealth.org/WomensCare 06358