Among California's biggest woes-- impending bankruptcy, earthquakes, drought -- the fiscal health of its agriculture industry, one that is serving as a major artery of the state's economy, is directly impacted by the availability of water.

In a new report by the Pacific Institute, there is hope for the industry to not only continue to pump energy through the state but also to invigorate the industry. To do so, a major overhaul of the agriculture industry's water consumption is in order.

Declining snow pack, increasing saltwater intrusion, climate change, growing populations; the list of water woes drips on.

The report finds that with a targeted water management plan, there can be enough water for agriculture resources simply by not using that much to begin with. How can that be?

Innovation. Increasing water efficient technology, like using drip irrigation and satellites, being smarter about the irrigation schedule, such as measuring the moisture in soil before watering (and perhaps, checking the weather report once in a while) and tracking local groundwater supplies, and probably the most lucrative option -- irrigating smarter by watering less when plants are in stages that do not require water instead of watering relentlessly.

Other strategies include enforcing and creating legislation that closely monitors water supplies, and builds a constant communicative partnership between the state's water suppliers and water users. Implementing strategies like these are expected to save millions of acre-feet, preserving water for drinking supplies.

Really, these strategies MUST be implemented to save the water supply, the industry and begin to start to save the economy. What is shocking is that recycled water is not a strategy for achieving a smarter water management plan. There is a stigma that recycled water would pollute crops causing health hazards, but remember, recycled water is treated to prevent carrying contaminants further into the water cycle.

Recycled water can also be treated and then pumped into local aquifers for natural treatment: why can't the ag community draw from this supply in combination with reducing its overall consumption?

A plethora of strategies is the only management plan that can work for the state, or any state also dealing with drought issues. There is never a silver bullet, and every user must make changes in order to conserve water for all. Therefore, all consumers including industry are the answer to the state's water crisis. Working to conserve throughout the agriculture industry is also a part of a larger state water management plan, and according to the Pacific Institute, change can happen.