California voters approve $7.5bn water bond to fund water projects

Voters in California, US have approved a $7.5bn water bond, which will clear ways for taxpayers money invested in the city’s ageing water infrastructure.

The bond programme will help in funding multiple water supply infrastructure projects in California, including surface and groundwater storage, ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration, and drinking water protection.

Formerly known as the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, the bond aims to ensure reliable water supply in California and prevent drought.

Out of the authorised general obligation bonds, $2.7bn will be spent on water storage projects, $900m will be invested for projects intending to reduce groundwater pollution, and $725m will be contributed to water recycling and desalination projects.

The proposed measures will not offer immediate relief from the drought, which has affected the state’s population over the past three years.

CNBC quotes California Water Foundation (CWF) deputy director Andrew Fahlund as saying: "However, we know this won’t provide immediate relief from the drought. Even under the best of circumstances some projects could take a decade.

"The bond is a key piece but not the only piece. We’ve got to do more to sustain our water supply."

CWF is a private water management firm aiming to provide ecological and economic water solutions for the state to meet its long-term sustainable requirements.

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Image: The proposed measures by Water Bond will not offer immediate relief from the Californian drought. Photo: courtesy of DavidBailey / Wikimedia