If there is one most contentious issue in the history of California, it is probably water. From the Owens Valley water wars from the early 20th century that were chronicled in part by the film Chinatown, to the modern era of trying to strike a balance between wildlife, fisheries and agriculture as well as urban water use, water is crucial to all stake holders.
In recent years, groundwater has increasingly become a concern since for over a century it has been unregulated for the most part. But now with more and more wells pumping vast amounts of water out of the ground, groundwater has become an important resource conservation issue.
Dave talks to UC Davis groundwater expert Thomas Harter about the fundamentals of aquifers, recharge and pollution issues as well as the future of California groundwater management in the era of a changing climate.
