New Series Pushes for Water Conservation

Business school responds to state’s dry conditionsEryn OlsonTHE SANTA CLARAApril 3, 2014[dropcap]A[/dropcap]lthough students were welcomed back to campus with a heavy dose of rainfall this week, California is still experiencing the worst drought in its history.In response, the Leavey School of Business’ Food and Agribusiness Institute is hosting a five-event series to address its consequences and possible water-saving solutions.“Save Don’t Squander: A Series on the Impact of the California Drought” began on Wednesday with a panel of representatives from the California Department of Water Resources, Santa Clara Valley Water District, the San Jose Water Company and the Santa Clara Facilities Department.David Sandino, senior staff counsel for the California Department of Water Resources, discussed the state’s dwindling water supply.“This drought might be an opportunity for California to look real hard and make a permanent commitment to water conservation,” said Sandino. The driest year in California’s recorded history was 2013. This year has been better, but the state remains in its third consecutive dry year.Each person in Santa Clara County uses about 138 gallons of water per day, according to senior water conservation specialist for the Santa Clara Valley Water District Karen Koppert. Roughly half of that water is used outdoors, so Koppert emphasized the need for altering landscaping.“(Santa Clara) has been great in leading the way,” Koppert said, “especially with recycled water irrigation.”This drought series has five different presentations planned throughout spring quarter. The second event will take place today at 5 p.m. in Lucas Hall.The three remaining discussions will include the perspectives from a local farm researching ultra-low water use methods, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the California food banks. Contact Eryn Olson at eolson@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.