California Code, Water Code - WAT § 10609.50

(a) Droughts are predicted to become more frequent, longer, and more severe as climate change progresses, putting drinking water supplies at risk of running dry or becoming contaminated.

(b) As demonstrated by the most recent drought from 2012 to 2016, inclusive, (2012-16 drought) drought conditions disproportionally impact low-income, small, and rural communities, as demonstrated by all of the following:

(c) There are currently varying levels of water contingency planning and coverage across counties for small water suppliers and self-supplied communities, leaving hundreds of thousands of people at risk of going without water to meet their basic household and drinking water needs during the next drought.

(d) If another drought occurs that is as severe as the 2012-16 drought, more than 4,500 domestic wells in the San Joaquin Valley may be impacted.  The cost to mitigate this damage could be more than one hundred fifteen million dollars ($115,000,000).

(e) No one should go without running water during a drought.  California can take basic steps to implement more proactive drought planning that would benefit the communities most at risk, and by doing so help prevent catastrophic impacts on drinking water for the communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.