Senior Policy Advisors, California Water Impact Network
Rising costs are squeezing Californians. Groceries, rent, gas—everything—are on a skyward trajectory. And now, water costs are adding to the affordability crisis. In San Diego, cumulative drinking water and wastewater rates are going up 93%. Other communities across the state are not far behind. But the worst could be yet to come.
Governor Newsom has been pushing to build a $60-$100 billion tunnel to deliver more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Kern County agriculture and Southern California cities. However, the tunnel would likely end up as a “stranded asset”—a capital investment with no chance of fulfilling its goals or justifying its costs. It would fail to provide water during dry periods, and its deliveries would lack demand in wet years. Moreover, if this mega-project gets approved, it will be financed by bonds supported both by water rates and by spikes in property taxes for most Californians…