Water Development

<body> <p>Already the most populous state in the nation, California is projected to have a population of nearly 50 million, or 15 million more residents, by the year 2020. This explosive growth, coupled with anticipated shortfalls in water supplies, is placing great demands on the states infrastructure. New water conservation, storage, and development efforts are required to help compensate for projected shortfalls. The voluntary transfer of conserved agricultural water to urban areas and the beneficial use of groundwater basins for water storage are two options available to meet the state's and Southern California's needs. To assist in alleviating regional dry spells and managing current water reserves, Cadiz is developing a variety of innovative water storage and supply programs that will provide reliable, high-quality and affordable water sources. The Cadiz/Fenner Water Storage & Supply Program <c1.html> is a 50-year cooperative water management program with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). During periods of excess supply, Metropolitan will store surplus water from its Colorado River Aqueduct in the aquifer system underlying Cadiz property in the Cadiz and Fenner valleys of eastern San Bernardino County. During dry years or times of reduced allocations from the Colorado River, the stored water, together with additional existing groundwater, will be extracted and delivered back to the Aqueduct for delivery to Southern California homes and businesses. The Cadiz/Fenner project is one of the first significant public/private partnerships in Californias quest to live within its entitlement of Colorado River water, and to find regional solutions to projected water shortages. </p> </body>