If the perchlorate problems in South Valley have taught us
anything, it’s that water is precious.
If the perchlorate problems in South Valley have taught us anything, it’s that water is precious.
So, while we’re glad to see that Santa Clara Valley Water District officials have ruled out flooding a portion of Henry Coe State Park to solve an algae problem at San Luis Reservoir, we urge them to stay on top of this issue – and the larger issue of ensuring an adequate supply of water for the growing South Bay region.
Of course it was a bad idea to ruin thousands of acres of rare, pristine wilderness in the 86,000-acre state park east of Gilroy and Morgan Hill with a dam and reservoir. We’re thrilled that water district officials came to the same conclusion, but have to wonder what took them so long, and why the option was ever seriously considered.
But the algae problem at San Luis Reservoir – which renders precious water unusable and wastes an invaluable resource – must be solved, and water district officials must look for ways to increase storage capacity so that future water needs can be met.
Water district officials must quickly find another solution – preferably one that will address both problems at the same time. Too much time has been wasted on the Coe Park dam idea, too much time has been spent on talk. Let’s see some real action on finding ways to prevent algae from wasting an invaluable commodity while increasing the water storage capacity for the water district.
We’ve been lucky for the last several years in the Bay Area – rains have been plentiful, snow packs have been sufficient, and we haven’t had to think about whether or not we’ll have enough water.
But let the perchlorate plume remind us not to take water for granted. A low rainfall winter or two, a couple of winters with little snow in the Sierras, and we’ll all come to know – again – the intricacies of life with water rationing.
Low water supply doesn’t just impact what days we can water our lawns. It can mean serious financial impacts to governments and businesses – and can even prevent new businesses and homes from being opened or built.
Let’s not risk our already precarious economy. Delay in finding a solution to the algae problem at San Luis Reservoir and the larger problem of an adequate water supply for the South Bay means more complications and more expense when a fix is finally found.
No more talk. Let’s find a way – now – to make sure we have enough high-quality water.
