[Dutch Boy]

Why doesn't CA build several giant water treatment plants and convert ocean water to drinking water? I'm sure there are small plants that are used for that but obvioulsy not enough or "Aqua Duck" would be out of a job. That seems to be a task CA should invest in rather than new ways to conserve. Without water the rest won't matter much.

[Hebrews 11:6]

California does not have a water shortage--it has the largest water supply in the world, the Pacific Ocean. What California actually has is a salt surplus.

They are starting to move ahead with desalination plants now.

[okie01]

"That seems to be a task CA should invest in rather than new ways to conserve."

Faced with the same problem, Texas would be aggressively pursuing desalinization -- probably nuclear desalinization plants -- in order to maintain growth and keep improving the standard of living.

But we're talking about California here. They just don't think that way...

[hedgetrimmer]

Water is a public good. Reservoirs, lakes and streams are good for the public. Constitutionally citizens can use lakes, reservoirs and streams for their own water needs, recreation and fishing. Corporate control of systems and delivery is bad. They do not allow historical public use of water. They can price water out of the reach of many consumers. They can control who gets it.