Innovative Approach To Fighting The Droughts

A major earthquake, the “big one”, is expected to occur at any time, and is capable of causing major damage to Los Angeles’ water infrastructure. The politicians currently in city hall are not planning for this inevitability.

There are no immediate or future plans to reduce the city’s vulnerability to a major earthquake or a mega drought. We are not ready, we are not prepared, and we do not have a responsive plan to deal with a major earthquake when it comes to our water infrastructure. We have no plans in place to reduce the long-term consequences of natural disasters to our water supply.

A mere “back up” water sources, mixed with lip service and political jargon, is not a plan. In addition, we cannot back up water from dry sources. We cannot back up what we don’t have. We need more than that.

We need to establish a defensive protection approach and, to the best of our ability, implement an offensive protection approach. In doing so, we will plan and prepare for the future.

We cannot combat drought, particularly if it last decades, or recover quickly from major earthquakes without new sources of water, drought-proof sources. We must obtain new sources of water creatively and quickly.

In the case of a mega drought, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disaster, we must enhance our ability to recover our water infrastructure swiftly.

Why are new sources of water a must?

All four of our aqueducts can be severed by the San Adreas Fault causing us to lose 80% of our water. This is not a matter of if, but rather when. What will sustain us until we can fix the aqueducts (and local pipe lines)? How are we going to make up for 80% of our water supply? It took Northridge nine long years to recover completely.

As it is, some are already stealing water, and crimes of this nature will only increase in the case of a shortage of this magnitude. Businesses will leave the city. Such events will create one disaster after another, causing a cascade of ruin.

New sources of water will be able to sustain Los Angeles and prevent or reduce the effects of a colossal disaster.

Technology has evolved, creating ways to harness the resources available to us, and transform formerly indigestible liquids into water that can be used for public consumption.

New Sources of Water

Desalination Plants – I have successfully studied Reverse Osmosis Water Purification in the U.S. Army, and I can attest to this methodology’s efficiency and the quality of water it produces. Additionally, desalination plants provide the following benefits:

1) They are drought-proof – Desalination plants are a significant alternative that will help us use seawater and other salt-water resources to create important drought-proof supplies for the population of Los Angeles. According to scientists, California has twice experienced mega droughts that lasted for close to 200 years. Desalination plants will ensure the availability of water during future droughts.

2) They are sustainable – Desalination plants can sustain Los Angeles even if the current drought last another 200 years. They will also be functional if aqueducts become damaged after a major earthquake.

I am advocating for a cost-efficient environmentally friendly desalination plant. The plant must be:

• Powered 100% by renewable-energy and nanotechnology
• Owned and operated by its employees

Extracting Fresh Groundwater From Under the Ocean Floor – Los Angeles needs this innovative source of fresh water to supplement and sustain our water needs until we are able to repair damage from earthquakes, mega droughts, or other natural disasters that may take place.

Bottled Water Plant - In addition to the above-mentioned sources of water, it is critical that Los Angeles have a worker-owned bottled water plant for Angelenos and by Angelenos.

Plastic water bottles are a major concern because of their effects on the environment. Therefore, we have to make sure that:

• The plant uses 100% certified biodegradable water bottles.
• Bottles produced are green and sustainable so that they may be reused, recycled, and composted.

Every city council member should work together with the worker-owners of this bottled water plant and other experts to design a comprehensive plan to ensure that water reaches their constituents in the most efficient way possible in the case of continued drought or a natural disaster.

The city of Los Angeles needs new, innovative water sources. Let’s improve our water infrastructure now to ensure a safe and healthy future.

Frantz Pierre is running for mayor of Los Angeles in 2017. He is a member of the Cooperative Movement. He is an artist manager, a fashion designer, and a son of God.