Water supply development amidst growing scarcity: a case study of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project

Chintamaneni, Vaneeta

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Description

Title

Water supply development amidst growing scarcity: a case study of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project

Author(s)

Chintamaneni, Vaneeta

Issue Date

2015-01-21

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Chakraborty, Arnab

Department of Study

Urban & Regional Planning

Discipline

Urban Planning

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.U.P.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• California water law
• case study
• economic valuation
• urban planning

Abstract

This thesis explores existing water conditions in California and, using economic valuation and policy analysis tools, examines whether desalination is a reasonable solution to growing water scarcity across the state. The author begins with an analysis of historical water development and the current structure of water law in California, which forms the foundation of the state’s ongoing water crises. In recent years, as easily accessible water supplies dried up and demand for water continued to surge, water conditions across the state became more contentious and water supply development became more important. The bulk of this thesis uses a case study, the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project, to analyze existing water policy and desalination as a solution to the service area’s growing water needs. Comparing farmers’ willingness to pay with the costs of water production in the Water Supply Project, this paper suggest that courts and the State Water Resources Control Board should re-evaluate and re-allocate existing water rights rather than facilitate investment in costly new water projects.

Graduation Semester

2014-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/72794

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2014 Vaneeta Chintamaneni

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