Water in California

I don't know the answer for California Farmers but the water situation in California will only coninue to get worse due to our high population and LACK of water in general in many areas of California. WE ship a great deal of water down south that could be used in farming if it wasn't now necesary to support a huge population. Environmental concerns are valid and everyone wants to blame fish but the fish are only a symbol...much like the owl was many years ago in the Old Growth forest debates. Even if they allow farmers to have the water this year....the chemicals used in farming help to further pollute both land and water. I support farmers...don't get me wrong but There simply is not enough water to continue to grow water needy crops. The Valley will support many crops during rainy season which could be one direction to take....and there are practices in growing that allow the need for less water during summer growing season, however they are more costly I'm sure. I still think farming is NOT the only issue here. Just my opinion

Much of California was/is a desert which we have changed into cities and farms. Both require a lot of water.

If you look at this history of lawns, in ancient times whatever land you may have been lucky enough to own would have been immediately devoted to agriculture, which was part of making a living. After the industrial revolution they became status symbols. But, they require a LOT of water. Gas lawn mowers are also very polluting, but that is another issue.

Then, our life styles seem to require more more water these days. We take more water intensive showers and baths and use clean drinking water for gardens and toilets when we could be using gray water.

So, I think we could free up a lot of water for farming, either commercially or in our own front and back yards, if we just changed some of our wasteful habits.

Although I am a gardener I agree...I don't have a lawn and I water with drip as much as possible in other areas and use mulches and try to plant water conserving plants....it just isn't possible to keep our environment healthy and supply our growing cities and our farms with enough water. If we let the environment down then we will suffer quickly, because like it or not we need healthy environments to survive. I think you hit on a good one when you suggested eliminate lawns to conserve water and to help with pollution.