The fact is, three-fourths of the water Angelenos drink every day comes from miles away, and Connecticut-based Poseidon Resources is betting one day this already limited supply of water will be scarcer and more valuable.

NPR: California Town Votes on Huge Desalinization Plant

But more ambitious government services, like electricity supply and running water, are limited.

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Copping's supply would have been very limited, assuming he had food or water at all.

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