We’re hearing more and more about the impending water crisis these days. But why all the commotion when over 70% of the earths surface covered by water?
Here’s some basic facts- 97% of the water on earth is salt water. Unusable for drinking, showering or farming. 2.8% is drinkable, freshwater. The third and smallest category, is called “brackish”, which generally comes from bays or estuaries. It’s drinkable, but it’s a vital part of an ecosystem that naturally takes out toxins and other water pollutants, among other important tasks (not to mention is home to a whole network of fish, plants, and animals). It’s also a pretty small amount and won’t do much to curb an impending water crisis.
Water is measured in acre feet- which is about 360,000 gallons of water per unit. Would you believe me if I told you that farming in California uses 36 million acre feet… that’s 296 billion gallons of water just for California agriculture per year!
Okay, if your still not convinced that California water consumption is unsustainable… Here’s a few other things to consider..
1) California is in a record drought. Less snow and corresponding snowmelt on California mountains combined with less rainfall in dry and desperate crowded Southern California.
2) California supplies more than half of the U.S market for fresh fruit and vegetables, and is responding to a demand that continues to rise each year.
3) We’ve got a growing population that’s consuming more water each year.
Water Management on California Farms- Sustainable and Organic Farmers’ Give us Some Hope!
How are they doing this?
1) Taking care of the soil. Increasing the water carrying capacity of soil by introducing more organic material (composting) and building up the nutrients in the soil allows for less water runoff and less water waste.
2) Recycling water and capturing rainfall. Farmer’s can’t make it rain, but they can utilize procedures that allow them to maximize rain water. Rather than tapping wells, farmers’ concerned about sustainability can implement conservation tillage, mulching, and small-scale water harvesting projects- all which can increase rainfall infiltration by as much as 2-3 fold.
3) Not using pesticides and chemicals. This preserves water quality and ensures it’s drinkability. Pesticides = high nitrate rates, high nitrate rates don’t leave the water stream (they can’t evaporate) until they are consumed by humans, animals, or plants. That means the higher up on the food-chain you eat, the more nitrates you consume because the nitrate rate compounds as it moves through the food stream.
It’s likely that thismay inevitably result in higher food prices for fruit and vegetables. 44% of California’s water goes to agriculture- that’s over 296 billion gallons of water each year!
Our options are clear, either cross our fingers for rain and hold our breath for a miracle, or start rewarding and incentivizing sustainable agricultural water management systems through state-sponsored initiatives and consumer pressure.
Say it!