If necessity is said to be the mother of invention then the drought in California has many offspring for which to account. Historically relying on snowpack atop the Sierra Nevada mountains to replenish surface water sources like lakes, rivers and streams, the Golden State has suffered warmer and drier winters in recent years. This phenomenon has diminished the snowpack considerably and forced Californians to depend on groundwater accessed through the drilling of subterranean aquifers. With the drilling becoming pervasive, even the groundwater is now threatened with depletion, thereby forcing the state government to impose water rationing. In the face of these restrictions, residents turn to importing.
As homeowners apply for permits to dig new wells, they face a seeming eternity on waiting lists. In the meantime, many rely on delivery services to bring them potable water from afar, which could mean from another county…or another state. Yet drinking water is only part of the demand. The central regions of California—rich in agricultural land—have a constant need for soil irrigation. Farming and related activities, it should be noted—account for over 40 billion dollars worth of the Gross State Product of California. Needless to say, the pressure for more trucked-in water is great, and growing.
Most water trucks have a capacity of about 2,500 gallons. Often drawing water from city fire hydrants—while connected to a meter that monitors volume—the trucks then deliver the water to outlying areas where wells and other sources have run dry. The delivery companies purchase the water from the cities, factoring this cost into what customers are charged. Conveying water to 40 to 50 customers per week will not make truckers rich but it does yield a tidy sum at week’s end. Responding to the overwhelming requirement for water by Californians, the trucking business has seen substantial uptick in its business volume over the last five years. This increase adds greater wear and tear to the trucks themselves.
While one southern California media outlet reports a shortage in tanks for water trucks, other components of the water delivery infrastructure have need of immediate repair and replacement. Valves, pumps, nozzles and hydraulic parts all begin to wear out after constant and intense usage. As water becomes more scarce, the importance of efficient delivery and transfer only grows in urgency. Leaks and spillage go from unfortunate to catastrophic. It is essential, therefore, that parts be replaced and maintained on a regular, consistent basis. The good news is that, as truckers respond to the need of residents, there are those equally prepared to respond to the needs of the truckers.
Many of the companies that specialize in water truck parts long predate the current drought crisis. Access Truck Parts Water Equipment, for example, has been doing business with water truck companies for over a decade. Drawing from a network of quality vendors the world over, this enterprise provides a wide range of water delivery components at competitive prices. Whether the California drought ebbs and water flows, or the dearth of water continues, water truckers can have confidence that their livelihoods are not endangered by faulty equipment.