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San Diego's Communication Strategy for Water 2015 Q3/Q4
The communication strategy addresses misconceptions about water shortages in San Diego, asserting that the region is on track for water surplus and self-sufficiency by 2020. It criticizes state-mandated water usage cuts as ineffective and detrimental to local progress in water management. The document advocates for a shift in the conversation from scarcity to abundance, highlighting San Diego's efforts as a model for responsible water use and calling for coordinated actions at local and state levels.
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San Diego's Communication Strategy for Water 2015 Q3/Q4
- 1. Executive Communication Strategy “TheCalifornia Drought” For SD County water stakeholders Julian Bergquist - June 8, 2015
- 2. Communication Summary “There isno water shortage in San Diego. We're actually on track to have a surplus next year and by 2020 to be independent of water brought in from drought plagued regions. The governor's plan that forces San Diego County to drastically cut water usage doesn’t actually help the other parts of the state that have a water problem. The plan actually threatens San Diego’s well planned and orchestrated multi- decade strategy for water independence and self-sufficiency. It costs San Diego homeowners and businesses billions and billions of dollars and gives a false sense of making a difference. San Diego’s plan for self sufficiency and conservation is a model for other cities to follow since the plan has actually worked.”
- 3. This executive communicationstrategy is for ratepayers and SD county residents dissatisfied with the current approach to the California drought. The outcome is coordinated action that transforms the conversation from “water shortage” and gotcha stories to a solutions that produces an abundance of water for all. SD County Water Stakeholders
- 4. What is theactual problem? The problem is not a drought. The problem is not a water shortage. The true problem is how we are handling the conversation.
- 5. Pointing the Finger Everyvoice in the conversation, from your next-door neighbor to state officials, seems to be pointing the finger at someone else. ● Northern California Vs. Southern California ● Environmental Groups Vs. Desalination Proponents ● State Interests Vs. Regional Interests Vs. Local Interests
- 6. Yet, we allwant the same thing. ● We all want clean, safe water for ourselves and our families for generations to come. ● We all want a better California for our neighbors. ● We all want to take pride in the place where we live.
- 7. San Diego CountyOutcome 2015 ●No San Diego County water district is fined or penalized. ●California Governor Jerry Brown withdraws the order demanding San Diego to reduce its total urban water usage by 25%. ●San Diego County continues its effective plan for self sufficiency.
- 8. 1. Is therea water shortage? 2. Does the CA State mandated strategy help? 3. How should we do our part? Is there a water shortage in San Diego? Is it the same across the state? Do sweeping cuts solve the problem? Do they penalize regions unfairly? Is the conversation based on a decades old view of the situation? Showcase regions like San Diego who are doing a great job being self sufficient and reducing water usage? How can each individual help? Questions for San Diegans?
- 9. What should bethe conversation? Let’s start by asking 3 big questions, to steer the conversation towards a more authentic, thoughtful, and viable solution at each level: State level Regional level Individual level
- 10. I. Is therea water shortage? Is there an actual Shortage in San Diego County? No Are there shortages in other regions and jurisdictions? Yes How is the problem in one region overshadowing the entire issue? Laziness, arrogance, or decades old thinking
- 11. II. Do theState Strategies work? How will it directly and indirectly cost us money? ● Rate payer - increase in price of water to pay fixed costs. ● Paying for water we are contractually obligated to use. ● Wildfire risk heightened. ● Residential property value destruction. ● Our conservation does little to help Northern CA
- 12. III. San Diegois Leading the Way Why are we paying for the irresponsible practices of the rest of the state? San Diego has become a model municipality for responsible water management since the beginning of the drought. ● What are we owed, as a county, for leading the way in conservation? ● A simple “Great Job, San Diego” from Gov. Brown’s office is not enough. ● Shift the conversation statewide: local jurisdictions doing their own part, according to their regional shortage (Rather than mandated cuts across the board)
- 13. At the CaliforniaState level Do unilateral reductions solve the problem? Which jurisdictions are doing a great job? How can they be rewarded? Find a solution that solves the actual problem
- 14. Desalination Plant When theplant comes online, San Diego County could reduce its draw on water coming from the Sierra by upward to 25%. How can San Diego County best use the expensive desal water given the mandated cuts.
- 15. Where do wego from here? Next Steps: 1. Transform the conversation from “shortage” to “abundance” a. Reach out to media (PR, interviews, talks) b. Ask big-picture questions, rather than applying small-scale solutions to the entire state. 2. Encourage Maureen Stapleton and Mayor Faulconer to take up the banner for San Diego - to take ownership for the work we have done as a city. 3. Engage the regional and local leaders who have done the work that made us a model city (SDCWA, et. al)
- 16. Talking points about“Shortage”? 1. Is there a water Shortage in San Diego County? a. No. (see SDCWA website) b.Actually a surplus beginning 2016 2. Is there a water shortage elsewhere in State? Some do. 3. Education of where does SD water come from? 4. What if the drought continues (we assume it will and El Nino is not a solution)?
- 17. 1.20 years ofinvestments in infrastructure 2.Approximately 5 years to independence of water from drought regions a.Pure Water - treats wastewater to potable standards b.Desalination c.IID - Increased Colorado water over 3 years d.Totalling ~ 550 mgd 3. San Diego is “off the grid” in 3-5 years Long Term strategy - SD model
- 18. Declared Future forCalifornia State: “Water Abundance is available throughout California now that urban water use is unlimited, sustainable and of low environmental impact. We’re using a new way of thinking, living, doing business based on shared values and agreements; then scaling those to the most essential areas of society (impacting water, energy, the food supply and transportation). We’ve achieved strong partner alliances between consumers, food producers, cities, industry, and innovators.” - (Created December 9th, 2015)
- 19. Areas of Impactin society Shared values and partner alliances between consumers, food producers, cities, industry, and innovators Created from a common set of shared values (hopes, concerns, and aspirations) Using short and long term strategies to fulfill them (strategy, agreement, coordinated action)