California to fight drought with water bank

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-05 09:01

LOS ANGELES -- California's water officials have decided to use a water bank system across the state to fight another dry spell, which could hit the state as early as next year.

The state's Department of Water Resources said Thursday that it has created the 2009 Drought Water Bank, which will allow them to buy excess water from farmers and agencies in one part of the state and then sell it to cities and growers in areas facing water shortages.

Under the program, water buyers would have to cut their usage by 20 percent.

"We are facing the potential for another dry year in 2009," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in a statement. "Which is why my administration is actively planning for an ongoing drought and working to alleviate the effects of the state's dry conditions."

Water officials say there are already plenty of potential buyers interested in the program, but they still need more sellers.