It's easy to see why so many people call California home. We are blessed with stunning mountains and coastlines, the most productive agricultural land in the world, and innovative industries that drive technology and entertainment trends all over the globe.

But one of our most important resources is in trouble. Our state is facing severe water challenges, and many communities and ecosystems are suffering as a result.

Environmental problems, the pressures of a growing population and the effects of climate change are making it extremely difficult to keep water flowing reliably. On top of that, we are facing our third consecutive year of drought, and we can't assume the dry conditions will end anytime soon.

One look at Australia, which is in the midst of a 10-year drought, offers a glimpse at what our future could be if multiyear droughts and extreme weather patterns become the norm for California. We have to not only prepare for more dry years but also think strategically about our water use and take every action possible to ensure a reliable water supply in the future.

California's leaders are working hard to develop long-term solutions, including investments to improve the state's water infrastructure and environment protections. But in the meantime, we need a survival strategy. The biggest tool in our toolbox right now is water conservation. Doing everything we can to save water will go a long way toward stretching water supplies today and into the future while we move ahead with the necessary long-term fixes.

The good news is that it's not difficult to save water in our daily lives. Just as Californians have embraced compact fluorescent light bulbs and recycling, it's easy to get in the habit of reducing our water use every day. As our efforts on energy conservation have shown, small changes in our daily habits can add up to a big difference for California.

This is why the California Department of Water Resources has joined with the Association of California Water Agencies – 450 public water agencies throughout the state – to kick off a new statewide conservation and education program called "Save Our Water." This new effort will educate Californians about the state's ongoing water supply challenges and promote conservation at home and in the workplace.

There are many ways to save water with very little inconvenience. Taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth and watering your lawn two or three times a week are just a few examples.

The Save Our Water effort comes at a critical time. Water is in short supply for many cities, farms and businesses. More than 20 water agencies have imposed some form of mandatory water rationing. Farmers are fallowing crops, and unemployment in rural areas is on the rise. The ongoing water shortage threatens our agricultural industry, which produces food for our state, the nation and the world.

In February Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a statewide emergency due to drought and asked all Californians to reduce their individual water use by 20 percent. But even when normal rains return, California's water problems will not go away. As our population grows, water conservation must be a way of life.

Indications are that Californians are overwhelmingly willing to conserve if you tell them why it's needed and how to do it. A recent public opinion poll showed that 85 percent of Californians are willing to do significantly more to save water because they recognize our water supply reliability as one of the most pressing issues we face.

The public appears ready and willing to help. The Save Our Water program is here to give Californians the tools and information they need.

We encourage everyone to join us. Plant water-wise landscaping, install a "smart" irrigation controller, and take shorter showers. Look at how you use water inside and outside your home, and do what you can to save. Together, we can make a difference.

Lester Snow is the director of the California Department of Water Resources. Timothy Quinn is the executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, a coalition of 450 public water agencies. For more information about how to conserve water or about the "Save Our Water" public education program, please visit www.saveourH2O.org or join the effort on Facebook and Twitter.