Drought is normally defined as a lack of precipitation, otherwise known as rainfall. It affects reservoirs, groundwater supply, agriculture, and general water supply. This crisis is prevalent in California and many countries around the world, especially those in Africa. If drought is severe, we will not have water to grow crops and it will be a serious issue, leading to inflation, debt and a loss of life. There are three types of droughts. There are meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural droughts. Meteorological drought has no rainfall at all (eg: Africa) while hydrological drought is a lack of rainfall. Our state is currently experiencing hydrological drought. There is also agricultural drought, which is the most harmful as it directly impacts plants and animals in our ecosystem. It also abates our crops, which are essential for our food.

The recent Drought in California has caused political and economic disaster. We spend $2.0 billion dollars annually and the droughts have impacted 58 counties throughout our state. For many Californians, access to safe, accessible drinking water can only be an epiphany. Orange County (The county we live in) is currently experiencing the 10th driest year ever in its 127-year history. This crisis is not just pertaining to California, but rather on a global scale. Every year, over 850,000 (!) people die from problems stemming from drought. This newly unearthed crisis poses a grave threat to many countries lacking water to drink. According to the latest Weather.com report, crops in Zambia have been decimating and nine farmers in South Africa took their own lives. Drought is causing major problems worldwide such as water quality and accessibility, destroyed crops, blighted ecosystems, and much more.

Source: Jan Wesner Childs. Nov 8, 2019. More than 50 million People face Hunger Crisis due to African Drought. Published by weather.com. URL-weather.com/news/news/2019-11-08-africa-drought-hunger-extreme-weather

One of the best ways to help conserve water right now is by using some of these strategies recommended by the City of Irvine and the Irvine Ranch Water District.

Outside Tip 1- Use Outside Tip 1- Water wise plants: These plants require less water to grow, which could help conserve water!

Outside Tip 2- Plan a garden watering schedule: If you can have a solid watering schedule, you could save hundreds of gallons a week!

Outside Tip 3- Use efficient irrigation equipment (hoses, nozzles, fountains, etc...): Using rotating watering hoses could save up to 7,500 gallons each week. If you use recycled water in your fountain, that could also save thousands of gallons a week!

Inside Tip 1- Don't use water unless you need it. (This is going to be hard...)

Inside Tip 2- Repair leaks! Leaks waste more water than you think!

Inside Tip 3- Only run appliances when there is a full load (eg: washers, dishwashers, etc...)

Inside Tip 4- Pay attention to your water bill to try and conserve water!

Inside Tip 5- Use water-efficient devices in your house! This saves hundreds of gallons a week.

Proposition 84 (Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006) would authorize California to sell $5.4 billion in general obligation bonds to pay for water safety and supply projects, as well as for natural place preservation.

Drinking water, water quality, water supply, flood control and park and natural resource preservation are among the areas for which the measure would fund improvements. Proposition 84 provides easier access to safe drinking water, more effective flood protection, and environmental protection for coastlines, lakes and rivers.

Institute of Govt. Studies. Nov 7, 2006. Proposition 84. Published by UC Berkeley URL-igs.berkeley.edu/library/elections/proposition-84

35 percent of Irvine's drinking water is purchased from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. A portion of Irvine's water is imported. This imported water comes from the Colorado River via the Colorado River Aqueduct and from Northern California via the State Water Project.Many solutions for drought occurring right now are based on increasing supply and conserving water. The Orange County Water District has initiated the Santa Ana River Conservation and Conjunctive Use Program. (SARCCUP) This program is a series of projects based on removing water reliant invasive species and recharging underlying groundwater basins. This can help increase our water supply, which is crucial in a water shortage. In Irvine Ranch Water District, engineers are trying to restore dams and levees and are trying to increase water resistant landscaping, as that can conserve more water. This is listed in the Irvine Ranch Water District 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan, adopted in 2021. Our water districts also recommend the strategies above to save water and help your water bill as well!

June 28.2021. Water Shortage Contingency Plan 2020 (WSCP) Published by Irvine Ranch Water District. URL-www.irwd.com/images/pdf/doing-business/environmental-documents/UWMP/2020_water_shortage_contingency_plan_irwd_adopted_june2021.pdf

April 4, 2019. SARCCUP Joint Projects Environmental Impact Report. Published by Orange County Water District. URL-www.ocwd.com/media/7677/wic04esarccup-environmental-findingspost-seperately.pdf