California Water Challenge

As our state faces some of the most severe drought conditions in its history, Next 10 wants to issue a new challenge to Californians: can you create a plan to make sure there's enough water for everyone?

The newly launched California Water Challenge is an online simulation tool that lets users decide how the state should overcome its water shortage. Along with a comprehensive overview of key water facts, strategy options in the Water Challenge include:

• Retiring irrigated farmlands
• Building seawater desalination plants
• Repairing and upgrading water infrastructure
• Expanding cloud seeding projects

After making their own water shortage plan, users will then be able to weigh in on current proposals, such as:

• Adopting mandatory reductions in water use for residents and businesses
• Adopting a $7.5 billion water bond for water conservation, recycling, and storage projects
• Fining water wasters.

Many thanks to the following people for reviewing drafts of the California Water Challenge and providing their guidance along the way:

- Gary Bobker, The Bay Institute
- Caitrin Chappelle, PPIC
- Conner Everts, Southern California Watershed Alliance
- Emma Freeman, PPIC
- Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute
- Ellen Hanak, PPIC
- Phil Isenberg, Delta Stewardship Council
- Felicia Marcus, State Water Resources Control Board
- Craig McNamara, Sierra Orchards
- Jeff Mount, PPIC
- Joe Simitian, Santa Clara County Supervisor
- Lester Snow, California Water Foundation
- Mike Sweeney, The Nature Conservancy
- Peter Vorster, The Bay Institute

Additional water resources:

Get the latest news on the California drought and on drought conditions across the nation from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

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