California considers 'water bank' to combat drought
With nine of California's counties already declared to be in a state of emergency as a result of two years of below-average rainfall, governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is pushing forward plans to set up the first 'water bank' in the state since the early 90's. Anticipating yet another dry winter in 2009, the California Department of Water Resources is already laying the groundwork for a way to help out parched regions deal with next year's water shortages. Instead of the 'bank' being a gigantic water storage facility, as it may sound, it's really a mechanism for transferring water from northern California -- where water resources are more plentiful -- to the bone dry southern half. Basically, the state will purchase water from areas with full reservoirs, or adequate ground water wells, and send it downstream. Users on the receiving end must commit to a %20 reduction in water consumption right off the bat. According to California's drought coordinator Wendy Martin: "We're not going to let people take water and use it for frivolous reasons." What? No Slip 'n Slides? This sounds serious.
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