Floating some ideas about water

May 21, 2008

Letter to the Editor, Los Angeles Times

Re: "LA will make water a terrible thing to waste." May 15

It's refreshing to see that Los Angeles is stepping up to address water policy in a manner that would blance the environment and economy and sustainably accommodate future growth.

Although demand-side management in the form of conservation and recycling won't preclude all new construction for enhanced supply, an acre-foot saved or reused is one less we have to impound and transfer from somewhere else.

If California were truly serious about sustainability, we'd develop a statewide solution - reduce consumption, safely recycle and consider new supply when needed and where environmental consequences can be fully mitigated. What we really need is an approach to water that brings the state together, not one that creates winners and losers.

However, given the hair-pulling and name-calling that passes for water negotiations in Sacramento, L.A. is prudent to take action on its own.

Richard G. Little
Los Angeles

The writer is director of the Keston Institute for Public finance and Infrastructure Policy.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/letters/la-le-wednesday21-2008may21,0,4464744,full.story