Water
Water is arguably the most precious resource in today's farming operations. California Avocado Growers recognize this truth and have implemented numerous practices throughout the years to utilize water efficiently and sustainably. Still, from San Diego to Monterey, water issues, including quality, rates, discharge, efficiency, scarcity and more, touch nearly every California Avocado Grower. CAC's involvement in water issues dates back to the early 1990s, so please use this section as a resource for related news, research, efficient practices, regulations, meetings and more.
State Water Project Deliveries Projected to Reach 60%
On Jan. 21, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) elevated its anticipated 2011 deliveries of State Water Project (SWP) water to 60 percent of contractors' requests; up 10 percent from December predictions.
In 2010, the SWP distributed 50 percent of a requested 4,172,126 acre-feet; a jump from initial record-low projections of five percent, due to lingering drought effects.
Meeting Between CAC & Central Coast Water Board Supports Collaboration
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) and Chairman Charley Wolk met with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB) Staff January 28 to further discuss provisions within the CCRWQCB Staff’s Draft Conditional Waiver and its effect on Central Coast avocado growers; all the while, underscoring the minimal discharge and water‐quality impairment generated by avocado growers. In turn, the Water Board Staff sought to better understand the efficient irrigation and chemical‐application practices involved in avocado production.
Ultimately, the constructive, two‐way dialogue produced an outcome likely to focus on continued collaboration between Staff and the avocado community, in efforts to develop a final Conditional Waiver that improves water quality; while proving practicable to avocado growers.
