Letter: Water is life

Re: Climate talk focuses on watersheds, Free Lance, March 21, 2025

More than a breath of fresh air or a drink of clear cool water was the group of people who arrived in Aromas to study water, which is life! At a time when governing groups are being destroyed this one gathered to actually govern at a time of great need.

When most people think that with a simple turn of the kitchen faucet water will flow, water may not flow. 

My own memory reminds me of what happened when turning the spigot handle produced nothing. 

Years ago when our well was dry, I had no water to make morning coffee. 

Thankfully, morning rain fell after a drought so I took my container outside to the downspout to fill with rainwater for coffee. 

The coffee was life giving and reassuring.

This local group from Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Aromas gathered when the California Department of Water Resources selected the Pajaro River Watershed to pilot a new program. 

For three hours brainstorming happened. This sent me to maps. 

In front of my eyes flows the Pacheco Creek running to the Pajaro when the rains arrive.

My maps show our location called a watershed between the Pacheco Peaks guarding southern Santa Clara Valley then on the west the Gavilan Peaks enclosing Salinas Valley with the help of the Santa Lucias. 

These mountain guardians source rain runoff to provide life for the rest of us, while the Pajaro winding amongst them increases its flow then distributes through marshlands before exiting into the Pacific.

We live in a unique place where two valleys shelter between mountain guardians providing the water we need for survival. 

Our job is to conserve it.

It seems to me that we need to plan for increased surface water. 

Thankfully plans for a Watershed Resilience Program will be the focus of future meetings open to the public to study our water, which is our life.

This program visibly demonstrates government in service for people. 

We need our government just like we need water to survive. 

Mary Zanger

Hollister