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For decades, California’s water debates have often been framed as a competition.

North versus South.

Cities versus farms.

People versus fish.

The Fresno Aquarium believes there is a better way.

Rather than fighting over a fixed supply of water, California should continue investing in creating new water supplies wherever it can do so responsibly.

That is why we support Southern California’s efforts to develop a diversified water portfolio that includes water recycling, stormwater capture, groundwater recharge, conservation, and emerging technologies such as desalination.

Recent news about OceanWell’s innovative offshore desalination technology is one example of the kind of forward-thinking approach California should explore. While the technology is still being tested and must prove itself environmentally and economically, it reflects an important principle: developing new water supplies can reduce pressure on existing rivers, reservoirs, and imported water systems.

Southern California has long depended on water imported from Northern California, the Colorado River, and other distant sources. As droughts become more frequent and demands continue to grow, developing reliable local water supplies makes sense.

Every acre-foot of water that Southern California can responsibly produce, recycle, capture, or conserve is an acre-foot that does not need to be taken from another watershed.

This is not a solution that will eliminate the need for imported water. California’s water system is interconnected, and it will remain so for the foreseeable future. But increasing local supplies can make the entire state more resilient.

The Fresno Aquarium has consistently advocated for solutions that support families, farms, and fish. We believe water recycling, groundwater recharge, conservation, and environmental restoration can all work together. The same principle applies to Southern California’s pursuit of new water sources.

A diversified portfolio is good financial planning. It is also good water planning.

California’s future will not be secured by relying on any single solution. It will be built through a combination of innovation, stewardship, and investment in a wide range of water resources.

The goal should not be to divide a shrinking pie.

The goal should be to bake a bigger one.