The long-distance movement of water is one of the most energy-intensive activities in California. Inter-regional water movement may cause social, economic, and environmental harm in the source areas, requires expensive (construction and maintenance) infrastructure, requires constant energy inputs, and puts regional economies at risk that rely on what will inevitably fail.

Transporting water long distances results in energy, environmental, and water volume costs. Sustainable water management in California is likely to involve greater reliance on local/regional-sourced water.