In Cloverdale, Calif., (in Sonoma County north of San Francisco), the local municipal water utility is ratcheting down on outdoor watering:
Peak demand on hot days in May and June has come close to maxing out the system’s capacity to deliver to Cloverdale’s population of 8,629.
“We’re not in a crisis mode at the moment. What we want to do is make sure we don’t get there,” City Councilwoman Carol Russell said.
Besides serving current customers, Russell said it’s also important for the city water system to provide for new businesses and residents in Cloverdale.
Meanwhile in Mali:
Clouds of desert locusts have arrived in rebel-held northern Mali, where insecurity has hampered pest control, bringing fears that the insects may devastate a country already struck by drought, conflict, and the displacement of more than 360,000 people.
A couple of observations about similarities and differences. In both Cloverdale and Mali, the problems are in part the result of an institutional failure. But the folks in Cloverdale have a bit more flexibility in their options to respond (reduced lawn watering vs. starvation).
Not trying to be snarky here. I ran across the Cloverdale story and set it aside thinking it was interesting. But sometimes I wonder whether I’m wasting my time thinking about US water problems.
“Besides serving current customers, Russell said it’s also important for the city water system to provide for new businesses and residents in Cloverdale.”
Sounds like the locusts have been in charge for a while in Cloverdale. :/
Agreed that water crises in poor regions should get the attention.
But sometimes I wonder whether I’m wasting my time thinking about US water problems.
I imagine a Malian wedding blessing: “may you have the problems of Cloverdale”.
But yes, as long as we continue to have population growth, our problems will not be ameliorated – they will get worse.
Best,
D
‘But sometimes I wonder whether I’m wasting my time thinking about US water problems.’
No, you aren’t.