California considers buying water from aquifer, spurring some protest

California has been using more than its share of the water in the Colorado River

WEB EXCLUSIVE On the scene with CNN's Jennifer Auther: California's proposal to buy aquifer water raises questions

State searches for alternative supplies as population grows

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Southern California is projected to face acute water shortages as its population continues to rise. At the same time, the Golden State faces a 15-year federally imposed deadline to become less dependent on the Colorado River as its main water source.

Many states depend on the river, and California has been using much more than its share in its long-standing quest for enough fresh water. The deadline to find alternative sources prompted Southern California officials to propose a plan that involves a unique approach.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is working on a deal to rent an aquifer in the Mojave Desert owned by Cadiz Inc., a private agricultural firm.

VIDEO CNN's Jennifer Auther reports on the search for a solution to California's water shortage Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     ALSO Californians wonder how to do more to cut energy use

An aquifer is a naturally occurring subterranean space that collects rainwater that has filtered through the ground. Under the plan, any water that collects in the aquifer over and above normal rainfall levels would be purchased from Cadiz and pumped during dry years to highly populated areas.

"What (this project) signals is perhaps one of the first agricultural-to-urban (areas) water transfers," said Ronald Gastelum, general manager of the water district. "And the fact that it's a private entity maybe makes it a little more unique," than other water transfers.

"We believe the private sector can play a very important role as . . . the last resort in times of drought," Cadiz President and CEO Keith Brackpool told CNN. During periods of "very very dry times and increasing population, Metropolitan and other agencies need places to go to be able to take care of the peaks and valleys of natural rainfall."

But environmentalists oppose the plan, saying they fear the water utility will take too much water out of the aquifer and threaten the habitat in the surrounding area. Activists are threatening litigation.

"We're going to do everything in our power to stop this, unless they change it to where it is not raping the land," Elden Hughes of the Sierra Club told CNN. "Does that include potential litigation? Of course it does."

To combat challenges by environmentalists, the water district and Cadiz have proposed a system of monitoring wells to ensure the underground water supply does not drain severely. But critics say they fear that rising consumer demand will compromise those monitoring efforts.

The Southern California water utility is pledging to protect the environment. "We've done the environmental analysis," Gastelum said. "We're now in a public comment period. We haven't made any final decisions on this project, and won't until the environmental review is completed.

"If there's any potential for (negative) impact, there'll be ample ability and signals that will be sent ahead of time to make sure that we don't adversely impact the environment," Gastelum said.

Like much of the Southwestern United States, Southern California takes most of its precious water supply from the mighty Colorado River. Rainfall amounts in the region are sparse compared with other areas of the United States. "Our average rainfall is 10 to 12 inches per year, compared to 60 and 80 and 100 inches per year in the (rest) of the country," Gastelum said.

California's legal allotment of water from the river is 4.4 million acre-feet each year. But rising demand has pushed Californians to use upwards of 5.2 million acre-feet of water annually, according to officials. The additional water must be diverted from surplus river water in neighboring arid states such as Arizona and Nevada.

An acre-foot is equal to about 325,851 gallons.

CNN Correspondent Jennifer Auther contributed to this report.

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Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Cadiz Inc. -- Water and Agricultural Resources

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