In case you missed the news, or happened to be under the covers worried about the election results, rest assured that our water is safe. The Hetch Hetchy Proposition F measure was defeated.
2.6 million people in the Bay Area depend on the Hetch Hetchy system for their drinking water. Water from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir is so pure and clean that it does not need filtration. The reservoir provides critical water storage during a time of climate uncertainty and projected water shortages. Projected costs to dismantle the system and find replacement water range from $3 billion to $8 billion. The social, financial and environmental implications were staggering.
Now that our water is safe, we need to recommit ourselves to diversifying our water system. As Hurricane Sandy unfortunately taught us, climate change is here and we need to prepare with all due haste. We need to explore and implement any and all policies and programs to store, conserve, reuse, reduce, recycle and reclaim water. No stone can be left unturned—especially if there is water underneath.
Thank you Prop F, for prompting us to redouble our water conservation efforts and thank you San Francisco voters, for saving our precious water.