Price of Food May Need to Reflect the Real Price of Water Used Has anyone else given a thought as to where all the water is coming from that permits the ever-increasing farming now going on in the Antelope Valley? Today, many times more land is being farmed than has ever been known to be irrigated at any one period or past time. What effect does this have on the underground water? Does this pumping lower the water table and just who's water is being used? Are the persons doing the pumping required to replace a like amount of water used or is this legal thievery? Most citizens are not aware that approximately 85% of all available water in California is devoted to agriculture, with some going to related industry. Residents and such bill and tax payers get the remaining 15% of available water. When you buy a pound of onions or such, a portion of the price you pay should be used to replace any water used in growing the product. I predict the current farming will run out of cost-effective water and the growers will move out, leaving the underground supply raped.
Richard Dougherty Editor's Note: Richard recently joined GRA. We welcome his contributions to HydroVisions and his enthusiasm for groundwater issues. Floyd Flood |