Argument in Favor of Proposition 204

Arguments on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.

Safe drinking water is something most of us take for granted. But the truth is, unless we act now, California's residents, businesses and farms face a future of chronic water shortages and potentially unsafe supplies. According to the California Department of Water Resources, our water problems will only get worse, due to increasing population and a water supply system that has not kept up with our needs.

Proposition 204, the SAFE, CLEAN, RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY ACT, provides the foundation for a comprehensive and lasting solution to the state's water supply needs. Proposition 204 is a truly BALANCED WATER SOLUTION THAT IS GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY AND JOBS, GOOD FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND GOOD FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS.

PROPOSITION 204 WILL BENEFIT ALL CALIFORNIANS BY:

ENSURING SAFE DRINKING WATER. Proposition 204 helps meet safe drinking water standards to protect public health.

INCREASING WATER SUPPLIES. Proposition 204 makes more water available to meet the state's growing needs through conservation, recycling and potential off-stream reservoirs and delivery systems to capture water in wet years for use during droughts.

PREVENTING WATER POLLUTION. Our streams, rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters are threatened by pollution. Proposition 204 provides for cleanup of our precious waterways.

PROTECTING AGAINST FLOODS. Flooding threatens lives and has caused billions of dollars in property damage. Proposition 204 allows long-overdue flood protection projects to be completed.

HELPING OUR ECONOMY AND JOBS. Water is the lifeblood of California's economy. Reliable water supplies will protect existing jobs, encourage new businesses and create new jobs.

ENCOURAGING WATER CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING. Proposition 204 ensures we get the most out of our existing water supplies by encouraging conservation and recycling.

PROTECTING FISH AND WILDLIFE. Proposition 204 helps protect critical fisheries, wildlife, wetlands and other natural habitats, including the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Bay-Delta is one of the state's most important environmental resources and the source of drinking water for over 22 million Californians.

PROTECTING AGAINST EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE. Seismic experts believe our water delivery system is in danger from major earthquakes, which could leave residents, businesses and farms without water. Proposition 204 provides necessary repairs and improvements to the delivery system to help prevent catastrophic failures.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT. We must invest in our water supply system to ensure safe drinking water and avoid chronic water shortages. If we do not act NOW, the cost will be far higher in the future. The last major investment in our water supply system occurred 36 years ago, in 1960.

Join a diverse group of Californians in support of Proposition 204, including:

ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION STATE BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL AFL-CIO BAY AREA ECONOMIC FORUM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMMITTEE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER ASSOCIATION CALIFORNIA BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE COUNCIL FOR A GREEN ENVIRONMENT PACIFIC WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATION DELTA RESTORATION COALITION

VOTE YES FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER, YES FOR RELIABLE WATER SUPPLIES, YES FOR JOBS, YES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND YES FOR CALIFORNIA'S FUTURE.

YES ON PROPOSITION 204!

JIM COSTA
Chairman, Senate Agriculture and Water
Resources Committee

STEPHEN HALL
Executive Director, Association of California
Water Agencies

GERALD H. MERAL, Ph.D.
Scientist, Planning and Conservation League