The threat of dwindling water supplies in California has put a lot of pressure on residents to cut back.

It's also exposed a little-known fact: In a number of communities, the water supply is provided and controlled by privately-owned, for-profit companies.

Reporter Dean Starkman wrote about this in the LA Times. He joins the show to explain why that is, and what that means for the future of water use looks like. 

To listen to the full interview, click on the blue audio player above.