Case Study: Successfully Developed, Managed, and Implemented a Statewide Education Effort on Water Supply Crisis

Challenge

In 2022, California residents, communities, and businesses were heading into a third consecutive year of severe drought, reaching unprecedented proportions, which scientists have called the worst in 1,200 years. California has faced a major challenge, climate change has greatly impacted the ability of our water system to meet the current and future needs of the State, while California has failed to upgrade the system to increase the amount of water available and ensure the ability to move water to where it is needed. California policymakers have continued to propose and plan for decades, with little movement and actionable policy solutions in big investments in long-term, comprehensive, statewide solutions that can serve all businesses and residents of the Golden State.

Strategic Approach

Beginning in April 2022, KP developed, managed, and implemented a statewide education effort, Solve the Water Crisis, aimed at enhancing awareness of policymakers around California’s ongoing and perpetual water supply crisis. Led by 26 local water agencies from all regions of the State, this effort had an initial focus on describing and demonstrating the statewide impacts of the crisis and consequences of inaction, including loss of jobs, agricultural impacts, energy goals jeopardized, food inadequacy, increased costs, more wildfire risk, and impacts on tourism and recreation. After 6 months of laying an important foundation on impacts, the effort shifted its strategy to focus on solutions; encouraging policymakers and the Newsom Administration to take immediate and bold state action to secure the future of California’s water supply, our economy, and the next generation.

Results + Impacts

As an ongoing program and after only 7 months of being an active education effort, Solve the Water Crisis has achieved widespread recognition and the public narrative around the drought has been redefined and widely accepted from an ongoing drought to a full fledge water supply crisis. With nearly 30 local water agencies on the board, more than 80 water agencies engaged, and statewide support from influential third parties across the State including CBRT, CBIA, Western Growers NFIB, BizFed, local chambers, and more, participation and engagement continues to grow rapidly. KP continues our work to engage third party stakeholders, generate media attention, build out digital assets including a digital ad campaign, and keep the water community involved in setting the stage and creating a successful environment for policy solutions. As we approach the 2023 legislative session, it is still to be determined how the Legislature will prioritize solutions to address the water supply crisis.