Climate changes are already impacting California's already overstretched water supply system, as water content in the Sierra Mountain snowpack, a key source of water for the state, averaged only 67 percent of normal this year after the state experienced its driest two-month period on record.

"Given the extreme uncertainty with respect to how climate will treat California, the most important thing is to build resiliency into our systems," said Soroosh Sorooshian, UCI Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing. "Much of the water system is decades old. The bottom line is that the flow of population to our state has not stopped. Traditional approaches to build resiliency are no longer viable. We really have to become more creative.  It's a matter of innovation, technology - reusing, and finding other sources. We need many options on the table - for example, Orange County is producing 70 million gallons a day of treated sewer water. However, solutions like this cost money. It's a question of balancing California's return on investment. We need an integrated policy outlook to do this effectively."

CCST focused on water science and policy at the October 2008 Council meeting, where Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi spoke about California's water crisis. The meeting was held in collaboration with the National Academies and the Royal Society of the United Kingdom. Water science and policies were examined in more detail.

"Most of the recent attention on climate change has focused on mitigation and energy issues, and much less on what we must do to adapt," said CCST Council Chair Charles Kennel. "For California and many other parts of the world, adaptation means, first and foremost, water."

Representatives from two other states, Arizona and New Mexico, addressed the Council about water policy and possible opportunities to collaborate more broadly on water related issues.

Arizona is known for its innovative water management. The Arizona Water Institute, a partnership of the state's three public universities with funding from federal and industry sources, serves as a hub of research, community assistance and analytical support to ensure clean and sustainable water resources in the state. Water has been a priority in New Mexico as well.

"Since taking office, our governor has focused more than $74 million in key federal and state funding on urgently needed water projects in communities throughout New Mexico," said Tom Bowles, science advisor to Governor Richardson. "The drought we've been experiencing affects every citizen, touches every part of the state, and impacts the potential economic growth and success of New Mexico."

At the October meeting, CCST explored the role of partnerships, amongst the western states, and between the industrialized and developing worlds, in confronting the water challenges of the next quarter century.