California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

The Orange County Business Council and the Los Angeles/Orange County Building
Trades Council released the results of a jointly sponsored public opinion survey measuring
Orange County residents' attitudes toward the county's water supply. The poll of registered
voters uncovered widespread concern about water reliability and revealed broad support for
tapping the Pacific Ocean as one way to address the county and region's water shortages.

Some of the key findings from the survey include:
-  87% of respondents believe that Orange County needs new sources of
   fresh water.
-  72% of respondents believe that seawater desalination is a good idea.
-  71% believe that local water agencies should add desalinated seawater
   to their overall water portfolio.
-  61% said would pay a few dollars more on their monthly water bill for
   high quality desalinated water that is drought-proof and reliable.

"Orange County residents overwhelmingly support innovative solutions to improve water reliability,"
said Lucy Dunn, President of the Orange County Business Council. "The state has already
approved one seawater desalination plant for San Diego County; now Orange County must also
ensure a local, drought-proof water supply for our residents and businesses. We urge state and
local officials to move quickly and approve the proposed Desalination Facility in Huntington Beach,"
she said.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.