Fixing the Water Fix-its

"The state has prepared a plan for water supply not only district wise but also village wise. We have also directed the administration to reserve 10 per cent additional water for animals. It is for the first time in the history of the state that fodder camps are operational in the month of August.” - See more at Indian Express

World-wide, the major targets of publicly acclaimed Governmental water fix-it-or residential programs are the individual water users. World-wide, the biggest users and abusers are industry and agriculture, supported by lobbyists who have clout mechanisms to manipulate ongoing regulatory attempts.  To simplify and illuminate, our focus is on the California Central and South Coast wineries as agricultural exemplars of the complex of agricultural water use. It is not simple, but it is the most basic issue of our time.

Residential water users account for about 20 % of California water use, with the rest accounted to agriculture and industry. Agricultural water users have yet to be subjected to regulation.  The State has offered gentle admonitions to develop to develop, over the next few years, plans and better manage  groundwater and surface water use.

What's Wrong with this Picture?

"September 14, 2015 03:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

SACRAMENTO, Calif .-- ( BUSINESS WIRE ) - Save Our ​​Water  - California's official Statewide conservation education program - Launched today its "Fix It For Good" public education campaign at a demonstration event replacement turf put on by the California Department of General Services at the State Capitol. The campaign urges Californians to "Fix It For Good" by making permanent changes to save water by rethinking have yards, toilets and fixtures Water Efficient going with new and fixing leaks. " Business Wire

While conservation efforts  of the major residential users of water should be congratulated  residential water users account for only 20% of California water use. About 80% of water use is attributable to agriculture and industry.

The residential consumer has learned to give up green natural grass lawns and water-greedy plants, to flush discreetly, take short showers, and effectively has substantially reduced residential water use across California. But residential use accounts for less than 20% of total water use for California. So what is happening with the rest?  Where are the water reports by farmers on their water management progress publicly available for scrutiny? Who is laudable and who is not? Who and what are actually being regulated? What will be the penalties for violations as the new regulatory water environment emerges? hen will this happen? Who is the oversight?

Caveat Emptor : if media reports are governmentally based, pay attention to the big picture. Is this a focus-defocus Political manouevre? Are the major water users 'non-transparent' Activities to the average still stakeholder? Is everyone except Agriculture sacrificing ??

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has mandated all Californians to reduce water use by 25 percent and to prevent water and waste. I have only to walk into my bathroom to monitor one activity and see that  I am actively conserving water by not flushing.What is happening with California's major water user--agriculture? where is the accountability, community engagement,  and transparency?

 Residential California water users are conserving. Engaging in the water dialogue is also part of this picture.  Assuming Agricultural users in the Central Valley of California and elsewhere are Californians, I look though Governmental websites to find publications about water conservation efforts into  by California farmers. What progress is being made in ongoing efforts of Central Valley Agricultural businesses to reduce and eliminate over-consumption ,subsidence, nitrogen pollution of soil and water, and depletion of groundwater. Where can I go to find out? Who has and who has not modified water use of water and soil with stewardship goals? Where are the publicly available draft proposals by California and commentable agricultural enterprises for protecting groundwater?