Lessons Offered by Drought-Ridden California

Dear Laissez Faire Letter reader,

By now you’ve probably seen the news coverage about California’s record-setting drought. The Golden State hasn’t seen a water shortage like this in over a hundred years.

Families all across the Golden State are struggling to get access to potable water.

Today’s email update will help ensure your family doesn’t get stuck high and dry if a drought or severe weather crisis strikes your hometown.

These weekly updates are part of your subscription to the Laissez Faire Letter. And similar to our monthly issues, each week, we share actionable advice on how to lead a wealthier, happier, and more self-reliant life.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Here are before and after pictures from Oroville, California, that illustrate the severity of the crisis.

Before and after images of the Enterprise Bridge at Lake Oroville in Oroville, California. The first image is from July 20, 2011. The second is from Aug. 19, 2014.

The water problem can be traced in part to agricultural water use in the Central Valley Region. The BBC explains:

“For many years, rainfall, reservoirs and irrigation canals have allowed this sunny expanse in California to produce half of America's fruit, nuts, and vegetables.

“But after three extremely dry years, the farmers are turning to groundwater to keep their crops and their precious trees alive.

“There's a water rush as drilling companies are burrowing ever deeper -- and there's no restriction on how many wells can be sunk underground.”

Unfortunately, the lives of millions of Californians depend on drinkable groundwater.

One such example is the people who live in the town of Porterville -- a town where hundreds of people now lack access to a steady supply of potable water.

Elva Beltran, the director of a local government agency in Porterville, tells the BBC that “10 or 12 new families are coming in every day -- some have been without [water] for three or four months.”

Right now, more than 58% of California is in "exceptional drought" stage. The drinking water of millions of people is being affected.

No doubt, the cost of this drought is going to be high. Focusing just on the agricultural impact, The Californian gives one estimate: “15,000 jobs lost, over 800,000 acres of farming land fallow, and more than $2.7 billion in crop loss.”

California's drought crisis serves as a reminder of the importance of water security. It’s something we all take for granted… until our taps run dry.

This is why you should take precautions today in case of a water emergency in the future. In this Wednesday’s email update, Frank Bates of Water4Patriots gives you his top 10 water storage tips.

Sincerely,

Doug Hill
Director, Laissez Faire Club

10 Water Storage Tips

Nobody wants to try to survive on little or no food for any length of time, but the fact is you can probably go several weeks without food if you absolutely have to. What you won’t be able to survive too long without -- especially if you are out in the sun -- is water. It doesn’t take long for dehydration to kick in.

To survive any disaster, you’re going to need clean drinking water. Stockpiling at least one month’s worth of clean drinking water might seem like a rather obvious way to keep yourself and your family from dying of thirst, but it’s amazing how many people never take the time to do it.

Others have stored drinking water for an emergency, but when a crisis rolls around, they discover that their supply has been sitting around too long or was left in a place where severe temperatures and/or exposure to light compromised the water’s quality.

By following the 10 water storage tips below, you’ll be able to provide your family and yourself with life-giving water when a disaster strikes:

Store various sizes of water containers. Water is very heavy, and if all you have are large containers, not everyone in your family may be able to comfortably handle them. This is especially important if you and your family are forced to go mobile in a crisis.
Select food-grade barrels. Blue, polyethylene plastic storage barrels for large quantities of water are popular. They’ll also help differentiate your water from your fuel and won’t taint your water with toxins.
Clean the containers. Before filling them with water, dilute 1 teaspoon of bleach in a gallon of water and wash the containers thoroughly, including insides, lips, and lids. Never store water in a container that’s been used to store something else.
Place labels on your containers. Clearly mark the date you filled the container on each label, as well as the source (filtered water, tap water, groundwater, etc.).
Keep it in a proper place. Make sure your water containers do not have access to sunlight, which can result in bacteria and algae growth. A cool, dark place away from chemicals is best, and use only containers with airtight lids.
Secure the containers. Think in advance about which areas in your home would mostly likely be affected by a disaster, and keep the containers out of there. Avoid high places, and keep your water locked away if you think looting could be a possibility.
Don’t let your water freeze. Frozen water could break its containers. Plus, you might not have time to wait until it thaws before you need to drink it.
Filter your water. If necessary, filter your water before you store it. If you don’t, it’s still a good idea to have a water-filtering plan in place in case your water becomes contaminated.
Replace your supply regularly. Yes, it could last for a long time if stored properly, but replacing it at least once a year is a good idea.
Keep additional water containers in a separate location. If your home is destroyed in a disaster, your home water supply is likely to be ruined as well.

Sincerely,

Frank Bates