“The Magnitude of California’s Water Challenges” – by Jay Lund (UC Davis), Josué Medellín-Azuara (UC Merced), and Alvar Escriva-Bou (UCLA), that identifies significant future water supply losses annually for California, estimating that by 2050, the Golden State is projected to lose between 4.6 and 9 million acre feet of annual water - equivalent to 10–20% of its supply for California’s communities and farms.

This research supports the estimates in the Governor’s Water Supply Strategy and amplifies the urgent need to set necessary statewide targets in statute, as established in SB 366 (Caballero).

SB 366 (Caballero) would plan for this projected shortfall by setting two annual statewide water supply targets:

1. An interim target of 10 million additional acre-feet by 2040;

2. A long-term target for 2050, TBD by the Department of Water Resources.

SB 366 is the right first step – setting a clear target in statute – to a sustainable and reliable water supply for future generations that reflects our commitment to supporting the California economy, its environment, and our way of life.