Protect your water rights - use it or lose it

Looks like we're going to have a dry year in California. Reservoir levels are not terrible, but rainfall has been very low. Another dry winter could result in shortages. One hopes this doesn't happen - and there have been plenty of wet springs in the past - but its looking increasingly likely.

This is the kind of year where the state and municipal governments suggest an array of voluntary conservation measures. These measures are not about conserving water as such, they are actually about stripping residential users of their water rights. When things get really tight, and voluntary conservation turns into mandatory rationing, the rationing is typically based on previous use; individuals that "conserved" because they thought it was "the right thing to do" get screwed, while profligate users are rewarded with a still-ample supply. So now is the time to stake your claim.

Remember, kids, whiskey is for drinkin', water is for fightin'.