Water in California IS plentiful! But 85% of the water that is used is used by agriculture, leaving people and businesses to fight over the rest. Also, water "saved" in homes actually does not save any water, because it then gets used on a farm. Each gallon Californians reduce in homes produces one additional almond, but it gets used either way.

What's worse is that California is effectively exporting 40% of the water in the form of agricultural products. That is, half the food produced is exported. California sells their water, much like oil, to the rest of the world. And half of the exports are foreign exports (rather than to another state).

Did you know California exports a very large amount of rice to Asia? There are rice paddies surrounding Sacramento.

In SoCal, yes, but things are (mostly) fine in the north and in the central valley.

More frustrating is all the water waste due to "use it or lose it" type policies around commercial and agricultural water allocations.

In much of the US, water is a common good and there are no water rights.

There is no sane system of water rights which is why there are cotton fields in Arizona.