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The point isn't about whether cutting home use would make a meaningful difference, just that it's much easier for a household to reduce water use than for a far

The point isn't about whether cutting home use would make a meaningful difference, just that it's much easier for a household to reduce water use than for a farm. Yes, we need water efficient farms (or, perhaps, farms in places that aren't so hostile to agriculture). But it's very hard to make a farm water efficient.

Domenic_S 11y ago
> But it's very hard to make a farm water efficient. Kind of a sweeping statement. Here's an inexpensive product that reduces water usage by 90%, aimed to farmers and especially good for citrus: http://treetpee.com/ttp-u/ http://treetpee.com/ttp-u/
- maxlybbert 11y ago
  That makes a lot more sense for orchards (which are widespread in California) than for grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. (which are also widespread in California). For the record, I've lived in several places with water shortages since I was a teenager. I believe every one placed restrictions on certain activities (no washing car at home, water lawns only on designated days, no water for ornamental ponds, etc.) instead of simply raising the price of water. I believe California could fix its problem with a lot less trouble by letting the price of water reflect its supply and demand.
  - seanflyon 11y ago
    > letting the price of water reflect its supply and demand. Which would force a significant reduction in agricultural water use.
    - maxlybbert 11y ago
      Yes, exactly. Partly by running unprofitable farms out of business (well,out of agriculture); partly by encouraging farmers to grow crops that don't need as much water; partly by encouraging farms to watch their water use. But the people making the decision would be people who know how much water their crops need, what the alternatives are, how profitable their crops will be in six months, etc. I simply don't have much faith in across the board cuts. That is, I agree that water needs to be conserved. But I think there's a better approach; namely, letting the market work.
Kalium 11y ago
If you cannot make a farm water efficient, then perhaps the answer is don't farm there. There are other places in the world to farm that are not currently suffering droughts.
s73v3r 11y ago
It doesn't matter if it's hard. Going to the moon is hard, and we still did that.

Domenic_S 11y ago

> But it's very hard to make a farm water efficient. Kind of a sweeping statement. Here's an inexpensive product that reduces water usage by 90%, aimed to farmers and especially good for citrus: http://treetpee.com/ttp-u/ http://treetpee.com/ttp-u/

maxlybbert 11y ago
That makes a lot more sense for orchards (which are widespread in California) than for grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. (which are also widespread in California). For the record, I've lived in several places with water shortages since I was a teenager. I believe every one placed restrictions on certain activities (no washing car at home, water lawns only on designated days, no water for ornamental ponds, etc.) instead of simply raising the price of water. I believe California could fix its problem with a lot less trouble by letting the price of water reflect its supply and demand.
- seanflyon 11y ago
  > letting the price of water reflect its supply and demand. Which would force a significant reduction in agricultural water use.
  - maxlybbert 11y ago
    Yes, exactly. Partly by running unprofitable farms out of business (well,out of agriculture); partly by encouraging farmers to grow crops that don't need as much water; partly by encouraging farms to watch their water use. But the people making the decision would be people who know how much water their crops need, what the alternatives are, how profitable their crops will be in six months, etc. I simply don't have much faith in across the board cuts. That is, I agree that water needs to be conserved. But I think there's a better approach; namely, letting the market work.

Kalium 11y ago

If you cannot make a farm water efficient, then perhaps the answer is don't farm there. There are other places in the world to farm that are not currently suffering droughts.

s73v3r 11y ago

It doesn't matter if it's hard. Going to the moon is hard, and we still did that.