To close, or at least shrink, its water gap in a drought, the region would need to step up its water conservation and recycling efforts. For example, water agencies would need to implement ambitious water-recycling plans and add storage capacity to existing dams. The region could also increase its water supplies through water transfer agreements with agencies outside the region and a state drought water bank. However, given that the rest of the state will be facing deeper water deficits, it is unlikely that the Bay Area, which already imports two-thirds of its urban water supply, will be able to import its way out of the problem. But, the way we manage growth can exacerbate or minimize our water problems.
Local policies regarding water management vary widely between jurisdictions.
This lack of coordination often works against the best interests of the region. For example, many local governments have extended water and sewer services in response to development pressures. In some cases those additions have stretched local water supplies dangerously thin. At least one Bay Area district failed to add storage capacity as it added customers, ultimately putting current users at risk. Some water suppliers have imposed a tier pricing system to encourage conservation.