Fresh Water Shortage in California

FRESH WATER SHORTAGE IN CALIFORNIA
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Introduction
California has recorded the highest heat records in history in the last two years where 2014 marked the hottest year on record, and the 2014-2015 confirmed to be the hottest winter in history. In March Los Angeles recorded the longest highest of 90- degrees days in 6 days exceeding the 1977 3 days in March California recorded the lowest rainfall in 2013, making it the driest year in the last five centuries. The dry weather has prolonged and its impact is being heavily felt by the state’s $44.7 billion agriculture industry. This will directly affect the price of food especially food that relies on irrigation and large amounts of water supply to produce such as tomatoes, milk and beef. The four year drought has once again exposed California proneness to prolonged and severe drought. California vulnerability has been a concern for the states citizens for many years. Customer survey on water consumers by water companies has in many times indicated the willingness of Californians to pay high fees for their consumption. California’s population is still expanding, stretching even further the demand pressure on water supplies. With the current weather trends, reliability on water supply will become even more difficult. This paper discuses factors affecting freshwater shortage in California, addressing the causes of the draught and possible solutions to the problem.[Samenow, Jason, ''Hot hands: Fingerprints of climate change all over California drought April 2, 2015. Accessed April 27, 2015. Accessed April 27, 2015. /blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/04/02/hot-hands-fingerprints-of-climate-change-all-over-california-drought/] [Howard, Brian, Report Downplays Role of Global Warming in California Drought: Scientists debate cause of worst California drought in 1,200 years. Accessed April 27, 2015. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141208-california-drought-causes-global-warming-science/] [Ibid]
History
California’s population in 2002 was slightly over 22 million. From recent analysis, statistics project that by year 2030, California’s population will exceed 53 million. The inverse relationship of the locations of California’s population in relation to the main water run-off is a major challenge. Three quarters of the State’s water run off occurs in the North of Sacramento which in far much less populated while the South of Sacramento which has the majority of California’s population has the least water run-off.[Thompton, Don, ''California Water Proposal Would Fine Wasters July 15, 2014, Accessed April 27, 2015. /2014/07/15/california-water-proposal_n_5586581.html] [Samenow, 1]
When the demand for water exceeds the capacity that can be supplied water shortage is inevitable leading to droughts. In order to determine that a certain condition is a drought or not, a subjective approach to analyse the current condition is critical. Drought condition can be referred to as steady occurrence of the condition and more of the impacts on water consumers. Drought can also be defined according to the measurements on the rain gauge as a belo...