California has just experienced a six‐year drought. Even though the drought is over, it will eventually return; it always does in California. With population up to 32 million, cities do not have enough water, even with normal rainfall. Protection of the environment via legal processes in 1993 is claiming a share of the water. Because agriculture is a big user of water for irrigation in California, it is accused of wasting water and is looked upon as a source of new water for cities. Actually great strides have been made in increasing the efficiency of water use in agriculture in California and elsewhere, and agriculture contributes a 10 percent share of state income and is one of the most stable industries in the state. The theoretical amount of water needed to produce adequate food for the people of California is around 20 million‐acre feet or 24 billion m3. Urban people use four million‐acre feet or five billion m3as does industry. Total farm use for irrigation is 24 million‐acre feet (29 billion m3), down considerably in recent years, but one‐half of farm produce is exported out of the state or nation, and there are some non‐food crops also. Additional transfer of water to cities and for environmental protection of rivers, wetlands and deltas will decrease agricultural production. Successful recycling of urban waste water can add significantly to the total water supply. Water‐soluble polymer soil conditioners can make it easier to irrigate with reclaimed water to help water conservation.