El who?

I’m no scientist, but despite predictions of the greatest drought-busting El Nino in memory, it seems we’ve haven’t seen spit here in the Valley.

Fortunately, courageous winegrowers – the backbone of our economy — aren’t intimidated by science, and some plan even more vineyards, wineries and event centers. They may, however, have to plant varieties that grow in the brine slowly seeping its way into the Valley’s aquifers as vineyard pumps suck out fresh water faster than rains replenish it.

Studies say Bay saltwater has infiltrated to Denmark Street in Sonoma. If so, El Nino can’t come soon enough.

Of course, if and when it arrives there could be massive flooding. Despite numerous deadly-boring water meetings, low-energy public officials haven’t launched any new flood control projects to capture rainwater and channel it into one of those new-fangled reservoir things for use in the event of, say, a drought.

But could this drought talk be just a lot of hot air? County experts boast there is plenty of water in Lake Sonoma to serve the needs of customers on the County’s municipal water systems. On June 15, a regional newspaper reported that:

“Officials at Lake Sonoma are forecasting a lively summer recreation season despite a fourth year of ongoing drought, and say the reservoir’s ample water supply is already luring boaters and other visitors away from shrunken lakes elsewhere in California.

“At about 85 percent of capacity, Lake Sonoma is significantly better off than major reservoirs around the state, many of which are barely half full or hold even smaller fractions of what they can store.”

This may explain why, despite the War on Lawns, politicians refuse to offend wealthy handlers by imposing moratoriums on new water-sucking vineyards, wineries, golf courses, hotels, casinos, malls and event centers.

Bombarded with conflicting messages (Lawns = Bad; Golf Courses = Good), readers can’t be blamed if they’re confused about water, how much there is or where it comes from (short answer: The sky). Fortunately, the Sonoma County Water Agency website (http://www.scwa.ca.gov/water-supply/) has oodles of maps and information that explain everything, much of which is even true. BTW, the Sonoma County Water Agency board is the County Board of Supervisors, who wear different and often funnier hats for their water meetings.

But most winegrowers aren’t under the thumb of any water agency. The water they pump into grapes doesn’t come from a tap but from underground aquifers, streams and/or the Russian River. Free. They don’t need no stinkin’ agency.

Some, however, are getting nervous, not knowing if rivers will evaporate or their wells will start pumping dirt. To keep the money flowing, winegrowers drill ever deeper and publish devotional paeans to Our Lady of Perpetual Sustainability.

But there may be Another Way. With Lake Sonoma at 85 percent capacity, those on “city water” might, instead of using 25 percent less water, sell 25 percentof their water to winegrowers and developers. At a handsome mark-up, of course. Call it Tap & Trade.

For in the Crazy World of Water, when customers use less water, their water rates go up to sustain revenues needed to maintain the system. Therefore, by selling “saved” water to winegrowers, city-folk could keep their rates low and, like winegrowers, make money even as the water disappears.

El Nino or No Nino, when we realize who “we” is, it’s scary to think “we are all in this together.”