British Columbia is currently facing drought conditions across much of its territory and could draw lessons from California, a state known for its recurrent droughts. One of the key aspects emphasized by water conservation experts is community involvement. Charles Bohlig, the manager of Water Conservation for the East Bay Municipal Utility District in California, emphasizes the importance of keeping customers informed about the water supply and involving them in the conservation efforts. They recognize and congratulate those who conserve water and also work with customers who consume larger amounts to find ways to reduce their usage.
In British Columbia, the recent report from the River Forecast Centre on July 15 highlighted that four out of the province’s 34 water basins were in Level 5 drought conditions, while 18 basins were at Level 4. This means that a significant majority of the water basins in the province are categorized as areas of serious concern. B.C. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma expressed deep concern about the extent and severity of the drought conditions seen so early in the season.
California, after experiencing decades of drought, has become adept at responding to calls from municipalities to conserve water. Legislation has been enacted to ensure the use of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and water-efficient landscaping practices. These measures have contributed to California’s current water conservation status.
Hossein Bonakdari, an associate professor at Ottawa University’s faculty of engineering, commends B.C. for taking steps to address the negative impacts of the drought, such as expanding water suspensions for certain industries. However, he advocates for more immediate and comprehensive actions, including water conservation campaigns, promoting sustainable water management practices, investing in water infrastructure projects, and implementing policy frameworks prioritizing water conservation measures. He also suggests increasing water storage capacity through above-ground and underground storage systems, fast-tracking groundwater recharge projects, maximizing stormwater capture, and modernizing conveyance infrastructure.
Andrea Pook, a senior public affairs representative at the East Bay Municipal Utility District in California, shared their strategy for managing water supply. They diversified their water sources, recognizing that relying solely on the Mokelumne River was unsustainable. Conservation efforts, such as water transfers and recycling, played a significant role in managing their supply. Pook highlights the significant water conservation achieved during the drought, surpassing their purchased water supplies.
In conclusion, British Columbia can learn from California’s experience in managing drought through community involvement, legislation, diversification of water sources, and conservation efforts. Immediate and comprehensive actions, such as water conservation campaigns, infrastructure investments, and policy frameworks, are necessary to effectively address the severity of the drought. Expanding storage capacity, implementing groundwater recharge projects, maximizing stormwater capture, and modernizing conveyance infrastructure are also crucial measures.