Bay Area Impact: Are We Prepared for an Extreme Drought?

Reservoir levels are down and temperatures are up all across California. As of today, 88% of California is experiencing extreme drought conditions, up from just 3% one year ago. What is the region's risk of suffering a catastrophic water shortage? How prepared are the Bay Area's water systems for the potential for even more dry years ahead? How is the region planning to expand drought-proof water resources like desalination and wastewater recycling? The Bay Area Council and Venable LLP hosted a webinar discussion on Thursday, September 16 with representatives from the Bay Area's largest water utilities, who together serve over 6 million residents, to find out how the region's water supply is holding up during the current drought emergency.

Speakers include Gary Kremen, Vice Chair, District 7, Santa Clara Valley Water District; Steve Ritchie, Assistant General Manager, Water Enterprise, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Lucinda Shih, Water Resources Manager, Contra Costa Water District; and Mike Tognolini, Director of Water and Natural Resources, East Bay Municipal Utility District. Co-moderated by Anna Sciaruto, Senior Policy Associate, Bay Area Council and Bill Sloan, Partner, Venable LLP.

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