Achieving a Sustainable California Water Future through Innovations in Science and Technology

Abstract

California has a long history of success in leveraging innovations in science, technology, management and implementation strategies to improve its resource management, including its continued leadership in energy efficiency. The State’s best strategy for dealing with its water challenges, both current and future, lies in taking a system management approach to water similar to the approach used for energy. Also, as with energy, innovative water technologies represent a sound business opportunity for California. This report highlights innovations in science, technology, management, and implementation across a broad range of water supply, demand and management areas, and suggests strategies and recommendations for continued investment and support of innovation in California. It is our assessment, as detailed in this report, that continued innovation both through the development of new solutions and the broader application of proven successes can help California improve its water management and support a long-term healthy and sustainable water system. In order to be successful, however, we will need to align our efforts on an integrated set of strategies (roadmap) that will require leadership, action and investment by both the public and private sectors.