
02.23.11
Sherri Lightner's Proposed Water Policy Statement: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.
By SFSDAdministratorIn San Diego, we have major water issues. After all, we live in a desert, and water resources are precious.
Yesterday NPR reported on local city council member, Sheri Lightner’s recent memo which calls for “Developing a Comprehensive Policy for a Sustainable Water Supply.”
Overall we applaud Ms. Lightner for calling for such a policy. We agree that having 20-year old practices, inconsistent with the latest findings and studies in water science and management are bad for San Diego. And, overall we like her proposed ideas, especially calling for greater conservation, and using low impact development. There are, however, two proposals in her memo which are bad for the environment and for the taxpayers of a cash-strapped city that is drastically cutting back on services. These proposals we are wary of, are the implementation of Desalination Factories and Purple Pipe. Shouldn't we seriously address our wasteful water consumption habits first before turning to expensive new supply sources?
Desalination and Purple Pipe are two of the most expensive options, and are harmful to the environment.
- Putting desalination factories in Mexico distresses us because it's likely an attempt to skirt the precious environmental laws that protect our state. And doing so, is not being a good neighbor. Added importation costs from across the border makes the desal option an even worse one. Will we really pay to push water from the playas of Mexico to the suburbs of Carmel Valley? Can you imagine what that costs? What about the energy used? Who is paying for all of this? You and me?
If all of Ms. Lightner’s district implemented Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Garden principals in their gardens, they would cut their water use by 50%. You read that right - FIFTY PERCENT!
