Fresno, Calif., has annual water rights of 180,000 acre-feet from the San Joaquin (pictured) and Kings rivers, but because of lack of water collecting infrastructure, it only collects about half that amount.

Thomas Esqueda, the public utilities director for Fresno, Calif., presented a water plan to area residents on Nov. 10, 2014, reports the Sacramento Bee. Fresno, about 200 miles north of Los Angeles, is in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the largest city (pop. 509,000) in the valley, and the fifth largest city in the state.

The city is blessed with ample water resources: rights to about 180,000 acre-feet of water from the San Joaquin and Kings rivers, 30,000 to 40,000 acre-feet more than the locals use in a year (an acre-foot=325,000 gallons, more than enough water for a family of four for a year).

Fresno's water resources, however, aren't the problem, reported Esqueda to a city gathering. The hang up is lack of adequate water infrastructure: surface water treatment plants, piping systems and recharge basins. As a result, the city only retains about half of the water it's due from the rivers passing through.

Fresno can tap into plentiful water in its aquifer, but down the line, Esqueda warned that supply could be compromised by state water regulations and groundwater contamination.

Esqueda unveiling a five-year, $400 million infrastructure plan expected to soon go to the city council for consideration. The plan calls for a new surface water treatment plant in southeast Fresno, more recharge basins and new piping to bring the river water to those basins.

Who will pay the tab? Residential and commercial property owners. Esqueda said monthly water rates for the typical single-family residence after five years would double, but would still be a bargain compared to what residents in coastal cities pay.