For my social issue, I am proposing researching the water crisis issue for San Diego County. Many people are unaware of the impact this crisis will have, both environmentally and economically. As of right now, there is speculation that the Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles will cut supplies to Southern California this spring. As a result, San Diego will change from a Stage 1 Water Emergency, to a Stage 2 Water Emergency, resulting in more regulations and fees associated with clean water supplies. If this becomes the case, clean water for people in Southern California will become an expensive commodity.
The San Diego government has stressed that citizens need to conserve as much water as possible, but as of yet, San Diegans have not answered the call and will face the consequences if they do not start conserving water. The water crisis will not only limit the amount of clean water available to San Diegans, but will also increase fees for building developers, increasing the economic hardships the building industry already faces. This water crisis is more than just an economic problem, but it is an environmental problem as well. Below average rain and snowfall in the Sierras threatens to affect ecosystems and humans alike. Clean water is a necessity for human life, and if conservation is not taken more seriously, costly desalination may be the only answer to San Diego's growing water consumption.
