Red on if you're interested in the water crisis, the Santa Cruz Water Supply Ideas Convention, Desal Alternatives, or the Sustainable Water Coalition.
by Robert Singleton
Civinomics
Oct. 17, 2014—Yesterday concluded the first ever Water Supply Ideas Convention, where over 400 people came together to review over 50 citizen submitted proposals for how to solve the Santa Cruz water crisis. However, the event only marked the beginning of the public participation phase because for the next two weeks members of the community can go online to rate the proposals at civ.io/santacruzwater.
This marks the first time that any community has attempted to "crowdsource" solutions to an important and complicated problem such as water. The online survey allows citizens to evaluate each other’s organically developed proposals in an open online discussion, which will directly inform the future of Santa Cruz's water supply.
The proposals submitted vary significantly in depth and novelty, and the authors vary significantly in levels of background expertise. Multiple licensed engineers and other qualified experts have submitted proposals, including two submissions from staff within the Santa Cruz Water Department, as well as members of Desal Alternatives and the Sustainable Water Coalition, two local advocacy organizations.
The online evaluation period will last until Nov. 2, giving participants ample time to review and share the proposals at their convenience. Each proposal will be rated based upon four criteria: Effectiveness, Practicability, Environmental Benefits and Local Economic Benefits. Community members will also be able to submit comments, questions and pro/con statements, allowing for an interactive discussion to take place around each proposal.
The Ideas Convention was hosted by the Water Supply Advisory Committee, an appointed group of citizens charged with learning about and ultimately recommending the next steps related to water for the City of Santa Cruz. The committee, which as formed in part as a response to the "reset" on the proposed desalination facility last fall, is composed of representatives from the local business community including the Chamber of Commerce and Business Council, Desal Alternatives, the Sierra Club, the Sustainable Water Coalition, the Surfrider Foundation and three at-large community members.
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