Water’s running low folks – let’s get smart about it
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 5, 2025) — I’ve given a lot of thought lately to the value of water.
Sometimes people take for granted the ready availability of enough safe, good water. Americans underestimate the amount of water they use in their daily lives by 90 percent, according to a 2021 study by the research firm Opinium. The true figure takes into account direct water use as well as indirect use, such as water employed to cook food.
So, you are using more water than you think at a time of more frequent periods of drought in our state.
California was built on the promise of feeding the world through bountiful agriculture, particularly in the Central Valley. The bounty was based on cheap land, cheap water and a cheap labor force. Those three factors are under severe strain in the 21st century.
I am working with ninth graders and their earth science teachers at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek to prepare lessons about the value of diet, food and water. We’re trying to set up a trip to the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San), which collects and cleans more than 13 billion gallons of wastewater annually for almost a half-million residents.
The district offers free recycled water for residents’ lawns and landscaping. Residents bring proper containers to collect the recycled water at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, 4797 Imhoff Place, Martinez.
Central San provides water that is safe for nondrinking uses through a disinfection treatment with ultraviolet light and chlorine. According to the agency’s website, employees test the water to meet federal, state and regional water quality standards.
Central San also provides agriculture-grade water to local farms, including a Martinez spread operated by the nonprofit AgLantis.
I recently met a woman from Southern California who said that she and her friends don’t use the beaches at the southern tip of the state anymore because they’re wary of sewage overflows when treatment plants get overwhelmed. Untreated sewage flowing into the Pacific from the Tijuana River contains high levels of fecal bacteria, according to San Diego Coastkeeper, a nonprofit advocacy group. Infrastructure is not keeping up with the population growth at the border, particularly the city of Tijuana, Mexico.
Water is life. I often advise people to eat more fresh produce. But we can’t eat more fruit and vegetables if we don’t have reliable sources of water.
Brussels Sprouts and Chicken Stir-Fry
1-2 servings
1 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 oz. chicken breast, sliced1 c. mixed bell peppers, sliced
2 c. Brussels sprouts, halved
1 c. spinach
1 T low-sodium soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and saute for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the sliced chicken breast and cook 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Add the Brussels sprouts and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
Toss in the spinach and cook another 1-2 minutes, until wilted.
Drizzle with soy sauce and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
Serve warm and enjoy.
Send your questions and comments for Cindy Gershen to cindymgershen@gmail.com.
Cindy Gershen
Cindy Gershen is an educator, nutritionist, chef, and co-author of “Fat Chance Cookbook.”