Water policy is a big issue in Santa Cruz. Think threats to water supplies ... Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers ... Saving river and stream water for fish habitat ... Water conservation programs and techniques ... Development and water ... Our local economy ... Desalination as an option for additional water supply.

The Santa Cruz City Council will be holding a special study session on local water issues on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 pm at the City Council Chambers (809 Center Street), and the public is invited to attend. For more information, read the full press release.

The Council will hear presentations from City Water Department staff, members of the City Water Commission, representatives of local water policy advocacy groups, a representative of Soquel Creek Water District (the neighboring water district to the south) and others. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about the complex water challenge our community faces.

After the presentations, members of the community will have the opportunity to share their views with the city council. It's important that community members who support a sustainable long-term water supply be present at this meeting, and make their opinions known to the council.

ALSO: The briefing on "OUR WATER FUTURE" presented by the SUSTAINABLE WATER COALITION on Sept. 19 at the Museum of Art and History is now viewable online at the Community TV website. We'll have the broadcast schedule soon and will let you know the specifics. Here's the link: http://www.communitytv.org/programs/online/planning-our-water-future