One of California's Most Famous Wine Regions is About to Run Out of Water

The Paso Robles region of California has development a global reputation for its wines, thanks in great part to the hot weather and soil conditions which are remarkably similar to the famous grape-growing Rhone region in France. The wine making industry contributes to California Central Coast's $1.2-billion local tourism industry.

"This surge in popularity has caused wine grape acreage in the county to more than triple in 15 years to 36,550 acres — and there are estimates of up to 8,000 acres more being prepared. With little to no rain on much of that land, drip irrigation is widespread." But demand for water to support the additional growing has reached a critical point, and exceeded the ability of the region's aquifer.

"On one side are wine producers, who feel besieged and undeserving of all the blame. On the other are rural residents, who worry over their housing values and ask how soon before their faucets cough dust?" 

A recent editorial in the Santa Maria Times sums up the issue:

"Despite the fact that vineyards require only a fraction of the water used to grow some other crops, non-farming residents in and around Paso Robles are going to the mat with grape growers. Legal action is a distinct possibility, and the water-use question has been tossed into the lap of the [San Luis Obispo] County Board of Supervisors, whose members, frankly, don't know which way to turn. Growers have made proposals to help ease tensions -- without success -- including connecting to the State Water Project, so groundwater use on crops can be reduced. The problem with that strategy is climate change is supposed to significantly reduce rainfall and snowmelt in the coming years, which would effectively reduce the amount of water the state system could deliver."

A five-part series by the San Luis Obispo Tribune earlier this year outlines the stakes:

"Deep beneath the peaceful countryside, the North County’s primary water source is facing an unprecedented crisis...  Over the past 30 years, levels in the underground aquifer have dropped precipitously, 80 to 100 feet or more in some areas. These declines pose a profound threat for the region, residents and economy. Rural homeowners are facing the prospect of losing their homes because their wells are going dry. Vineyards could lose access to a crucial resource. And the crisis in the groundwater basin is only expected to get worse — much worse."