Letters: Drought-busting starts locally

Re “Drought offers opportunity,” Column, Jan. 20

George Skelton makes many good points in his column on the drought, but in his zeal for building more reservoir storage, he overlooks significant advances in local water supply and management in his backyard.

Most Southern California water agencies plan to reduce or cap their reliance on imported water by making investments in local water supplies. Programs to increase water recycling, promote storm-water capture and restore contaminated groundwater allow local agencies greater control over their water supplies and are less prone to severe cutbacks in dry years.

If I were a Southern California water agency making a big investment in water supplies, I’d be investing closer to home and not on distant reservoirs.

Jennifer Clary

Oakland

Clary is the water program manager for Clean Water Action California.

Regarding the governor’s call for voluntary water conservation and his 20-point drought declaration, I have one question: Why is there no mention of a moratorium on new construction and permits for swimming pools?

Shouldn’t we be discouraging growth until this crisis is averted?

Terrie McKinley

Aliso Viejo

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