As the nation's most populous state, California faces many complex and pressing economic, social and environmental problems. Principal among these is the management of the state's limited water supply and how--or if--that supply can be stretched to meet increasing demands. Not only is California's population expected to swell over the coming decades (with much of this growth occurring in semi-arid central and southern California), but demands for more reliable and higher quality water supplies have come from agricultural, environmental and urban users. Satisfying these competing demands is the challenge that water managers will face into the next century. The history of the amazing water system of California, the problems confronted and solved over the years, the crucial issues we face today, the controversies and emotions behind the facts, and possible solutions for the future, are discussed in this book. 300 pages.

February 1999

Hundley Jr., Norris. The Great Thirst: Californians and Water, 1770s-1990s, University of California Press, Los Angeles, 1992.

"The book" to read on water and California, The Great Thirst tells a story that began long before the first Europeans arrived and continues to the present. Several themes run through this account of California water history. The most obvious is the dynamic interplay between human values and what human beings do to the waterscape. Another theme is how crucial government has been in shaping water policy and use, and a further theme is the close interrelationships at all levels between private and government interests. When viewed from both local and national perspectives, California’s water achievements have resulted ultimately from the support and encouragement of the electorate, who considered themselves not coerced victims but participants in a booming economy made possible by great hydraulic projects. 551 pages, illustrated.

January 1999

Simon, Paul. Tapped Out: The Coming World Crisis in Water and What We Can Do About It, Welcome Rain Publishers, New York, 1998. Carried by major book stores such as Barnes & Noble.

In the next forty to ninety years, the world population will double, but our water supply will not increase. Nations go to war over oil, but there are substitutes for oil. There is no substitute for water. However, there are answers if we act before we face the crisis. Although water sufficiency problems are not nearly as severe in the United States as in most nations, within a few years, a water crisis of catastrophic proportions will explode on us--unless we take action now. Former Senator Paul Simon outlines the problems and the actions that need to be taken--quickly.

December 1998

Water from Water, Program 1: Desalination, National Water Research Institute.

The first of a four-part series on water reuse and conservation, this video is a good overview of the reasons for using desalination and the technologies currently in use. Desalination has been used to unlock the ocean's vast liquid treasure and to raise the quality of inland water. The three methods currently in use include distillation, reverse osmosis and electrodialysis. The video includes a discussion of U.S. and international uses of desalination as well as the potential environmental impacts of the desalination process. The 15-minute video is $19.95 and can be ordered by calling NWRI at (714) 378-3278.

November 1998

Unsaturated Zone Hydrology, Guymon, Gary L. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1994.

This book is written as a graduate text and reference book that consolidates a wide variety of information on the unsaturated zone. Water and chemicals are stored in and pass through this zone on their way from the land surface to aquifers that provide water supplies for agricultural, domestic, commercial and industrial uses. This zone is the main hydrological link between surface water and groundwater. This text draws information from many disciplines to comprehensively treat water movement in the unsaturated zone while including mass transport and other processes in an introductory manner.

October 1998

Water at the Crossroads, Mojave Water Agency. Videotapes may be checked out for up to two weeks by contacting Gloria Golike at (760) 240-9201.

The Mojave Water Agency (MWA) has created a videotape explaining the high desert's water situation -- why it came to be, what is being done about it currently and how local residents can help shape "the rest of the story" in the 21st century. To produce "Water at the Crossroads," the MWA interviewed scientists, historians and its own staff members and directors to illustrate how the desert's water needs have changed. The videotape, which runs 22 minutes and includes some animated segments, emphasizes the need for the public to support conservation methods. Conservation practices, along with the MWA's ongoing work in bringing additional water to the region, will balance the area's water demand with its water supply in the next generation.

September 1998

Salinity Management Study, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, June 1998. Available on the web here. Contact Andy Sienkiewich at asienkiewich@mwd.dst.us.ca for further information.

This document is a draft final report that presents the findings and recommendations of a two-year technical investigation on the impacts of total dissolved solids (salinity) to our region. The Study was conducted in collaboration with member agencies and other concerned agencies. It covers: Benefits of reduced salinity; Salt sources; Salinity management policy statement and action plan; Resource limitations on blending Colorado River water salinity; Integration of quality and quantity; and Regional approach.

August 1998

California Groundwater Management, Bachman, Steve, Carl Hauge, Kevin Neese and Anthony Saracino. Groundwater Resources Association of California, 1997. To obtain a free copy call the Association at 530/758-3656.

This handbook contains general information about the law and hydrology of groundwater basins as they pertain to groundwater management. It is designed to be read and used by people of many levels of understanding, background and knowledge. It is useful as both a primer, to brush up on general information and to gain a better sense of the institutional framework for groundwater resources management.

July 1998

California Water, Littleworth, Arthur, and Garner, Eric. Solano Press Books, 1995. Available by calling 800-931-9373 for $47.50.

This book is a handy and comprehensive guide to California water supplies, their use and development, environmental issues, water rights and regulations, the public trust doctrine, water litigation, transfers, conservation and the Law of the Colorado River. It provides the historical, legal and policy issues affecting the use of water and serves as a handbook for elected officials, water district managers, board members, engineers and planners.

June 1998

"Conjunctive Use Water Management Program Workshop Report", National Water Research Institute, May 1998. (See Links to access NWRI and ordering information).

This report provides the results of a Nominal Group Technique workshop that asked: What are the most significant impediments in implementing a cost-effective conjunctive use water management program in California? Impediments are identified and prioritized. The 25 participants who were involved represented local, regional and state agencies, as well as the private sector, and came from both northern and southern California. The report presents the insightful and creative contributions of each participant as well as recommendations for follow-on activities to eliminate the impediments identified in the workshop.

May 1998

"Conjunctive Use of Groundwater and Imported Surface Waters in Southern California", Harold Glaser, Donald Evenson & Mark Wildermuth. Presented before the American Water Resources Association, October 1997. Contact Mr. Glaser for reprints at harold.glaser@us.mw.com.

AGWA and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California conducted a study to identify conjunctive use programs that provide both local and regional benefits. The report provides results of this study that indicate significant potential for conjunctive use of imported water supplies in an integrated manner with groundwater basins. While very technical in nature, the report provides a foundation for future action that can potentially increase the yield of imported water supplies.

April 1998

A Civil Action, Jonathan Harr, Vintage Books, 1995. Carried by major book stores such as Barnes & Noble.

The author of this National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction weaves a story of intrigue, deceit, legal shenanigans, bankruptcy and, unfortunately, death around groundwater contamination as if it were a novel. So important and compelling is the subject matter that it will be released in winter 1998 as a movie of the same title. John Travolta will star as attorney Jan Schlichtmann, who fought the case to determine culpability for toxic contamination of groundwater causing a leukemia cluster in Massachusetts as recently as 1978.

March 1998

Dividing the Waters, William Blomquist, ICS Press, 1992. Only available in the cloth (hardback) version at a cost of $29.95. Call ICS Press at 510-238-5010. ICS Press is willing to offer a 20% discount for orders of 20 or more copies.

Professor Blomquist has done an insightful job of describing each of the groundwater basins in Southern California, addressing their major features, management and legal issues. We won't say the subject matter is 'dry', because it is written in an engaging manner. A must for anyone in California groundwater management.