The latest statewide Field Poll dealing with the state's water situation, completed in early April among 1,000 registered voters throughout California, was released today.
Main Findings:
Nearly all California voters (88%) believe the state is undergoing a serious water shortage.
However, there is no clear consensus about whether the situation is due more to a lack of water
storage and supply facilities in the state, or users not using existing supplies efficiently enough.
Statewide, 27% cite the former, 37% the latter and another 24% say both are equally responsible.
By a 54% to 30% margin most Californians believe agricultural users, who currently consume about
three-quarters of the state's fresh water supply, can reduce its water use without creating real
hardships by changing crops and using water more efficiently. The average (median) amount that
voters feel agricultural users could save by taking these measures is 10%.
Voters are divided when asked whether the state should be allowed to bypass existing
environmental regulations protecting fish and the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin
river delta region if residents or farmers face serious shortages during dry years. Currently 49%
agree that the state should be allowed to bypass these regulations at such times, while 44% disagree.
Voters currently favor asking users to voluntarily cut back their water use by 20% over imposing
mandatory water rationing greater than two to one (67% to 27%) as a way to reduce water use.
The complete poll along with tables and methodology can be found here:
http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2468.pdf
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