California’s water future isn’t just about scarcity—it’s about cost. A new study published in Nature Sustainability reveals that when drought hits, the price of surface water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs can triple, adding roughly $487 per acre-foot.

The research signals a critical shift: climate change will make surface water supplies more volatile and expensive, while demand for water rises with warming temperatures. Without new strategies, Californians could face escalating costs that ripple through food prices, municipal budgets, and household bills.

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