Water District Welcomes Governor's Call to Address Water Crisis with Special Session

Water District Welcomes Governor's Call to Address Water Crisis with Special Session



The Santa Clara Valley Water District Tuesday welcomed California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s call to act now to resolve the state’s water crisis, including fixing the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.



Santa Clara County, CA (Vocus) September 12, 2007



The Santa Clara Valley Water District Tuesday welcomed California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s call to act now to resolve the state’s water crisis (http://www. valleywater. org/), including fixing the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.



Greeting the Governor’s decision to call the legislature for a special session to continue the work on water infrastructure and healthcare reform, the water district Vice Chair, Rosemary Kamei, said “We are very pleased that the governor recognizes the importance of water resources for the state of California and the urgent need to find solutions. We look forward to working with the Governor and the legislature towards a comprehensive water package that invests in our future and infrastructure.”



Silicon Valley will be hit hard by the latest U. S. District Court ruling calling for a massive water supply reduction through the Delta. The Delta (http://www. valleywater. org/delta/) delivers almost half of Santa Clara County’s water supply and is key to the future of the Silicon Valley’s economy, environment and its quality of life.



“We applaud the Governor for understanding the urgency to pass water bonds in this legislative session,” said Director Kamei.



The water district board of directors has supported Governor Schwarzenegger’s comprehensive Water Infrastructure Plan that includes $1 billion toward fixing the Delta. The district also supports proposals that would combine backbone investments in the statewide water system, including investments in surface and groundwater storage and Delta sustainability, with local supply reliability investments.



The quest to find both long term and immediate solutions to the water supply and environmental problems confronting the Delta is now at a critical juncture, with major policy recommendations expected to be made in the coming months.



The water district uses the water imported through the Delta to supply treated drinking water to the county’s 1.7 million residents, to recharge the groundwater basins, to prevent land subsidence and saltwater intrusion, and to help create and preserve local habitat for threatened or endangered species of fish.



Failure of the Delta to deliver water would have catastrophic impacts on the county. The water district is committed to finding solutions to preserve the Delta ecosystem, while ensuring a secure, high-quality water supply for now and the future generations.



The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages wholesale drinking water resources and provides stewardship for the county's five watersheds, including 10 reservoirs, more than 800 miles of streams and groundwater basins. The water district also provides flood protection throughout Santa Clara County.



Contact:

Susan Siravo

Office: (408) 265-2607, ext. 2290

Mobile: (408)  398-0754



Meenakshi Ganjoo 

Office: (408) 265-2607, ext. 2295 

Mobile: (408) 205-3064



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