ABSTRACT
The changes in public policy for water are taking the form of questioning 21st-century-old water rights laws, the relationship between power and water utilities and water use and allocations in the agricultural sector. Abandoning the old way of thinking and moving to a 21st-century mindset powered by new technologies, collaboration frameworks and public policies is possible. New funding for water projects, coupled with a renewed call for regulations and policies to address the need for energy and agricultural production, is emerging in such United States as California and Texas. Soft path solutions consist of collective action and public policy initiatives, while technology solutions consist of connectivity and resource productivity initiatives. Technology solutions coupled with public policy changes and collaboration are powerful and together can solve complex problems. Public policy needs to change – and change fast – to address the "new normal" of water scarcity and impacts to the food and energy sectors.
