On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: California Water Commission: Preparing for Drought in a Non-Drought Year beginning at 9:30am. You are invited to a California Water Commission workshop to explore ways that the State can adapt to the changing hydrology and ongoing weather extremes. Following three years of severe drought, California experienced a winter of extreme wet weather this year. Being able to endure the next severe drought is dependent upon making smart, preemptive water management decisions during non-drought years. In support of Action 26.3 in California’s Water Resilience Portfolio, the Commission is developing proposed strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife during drought. At the workshops, the Commission will gather information regarding the impacts of drought on communities and species and will discuss drought strategies. The public is encouraged to share their ideas and opinions. The Commission hopes to hear from a diverse set of participants. Click here to register.
- MEETING: Delta Stewardship Council beginning at 10am in Isleton. Agenda items include the Delta Lead Scientist’s Report, Delta Conveyance Project update, Delta Adapts update, science communication in the Delta, and consideration of revisions to rulemaking for 5the Delta Levees Investement Strategy. Click here for the complete agenda and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: Flume Household Water Use Index: Q2 2023 from 10am to 11am. Join Flume, the company that brings connectivity and intelligence to residential water usage, as we present the Flume Household Water Data Index on Thursday, July 27th at 10am PT. During the hour, we will review indoor and outdoor residential water use patterns from our nationwide network of sensors for Q2 2023. We will be joined by the City of Goodyear, AZ to explore residential water use in 2023 versus the previous year, focusing on outdoor water use. We will dive into the impact of pools and smart irrigation controllers on residential water use, and discuss data and best practices for targeted water savings. We will also explore the latest indoor and outdoor water use trends for the top 15 Metropolitan Service Areas including: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Washington DC, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Phoenix, Boston, San Francisco Bay Area, Riverside, Detroit, and Seattle. Click here to register.
- CaDC HYBRID WORKSHOP: Demonstration of CaDC Analytics Platform 2.0 and Harnessing the Real Power of AMI from 1pm to 3pm. Join the CaDC at our second workshop this year. CaDC workshops feature speakers from around the water sector discussing how they are leaning on data to help them implement strategies for addressing the state’s toughest water challenges. Click here to register to attend virtually. Click here to regsiter to attend in person.
- WEBINAR: The Road to DPR: State Policy Approaches and Outcomes from 1pm to 2:15pm. Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) is the next frontier in sustainable water supply management. One of the biggest impediments to more widespread DPR is the lack of regulatory certainty – something that is beginning to change. DPR rulemaking was recently completed in Colorado and is currently underway in several states including California, Arizona, and Florida. Wherever DPR regulations are under consideration, WateReuse Association State Sections and members are leading the charge. Together we have developed regulatory frameworks, secured legislation, and engaged with regulators to move processes forward. Join us to learn about the advocacy efforts that are moving DPR ahead across the country, the unique challenges and approaches to DPR in several states, and an update on the status of regulations. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
What is California doing to help increase groundwater storage?
“It’s been a struggle farming with no water. Daniel Bays, like thousands of other farmers, has had to deal with drought. It’s been a struggle farming with no water. Daniel Bays, like thousands of other farmers, has had to deal with drought. “I would say the stress is probably the hardest part. Part of it being in the office looking at the numbers, part of it just being out in the field with our employees and the other people that depend on this for a job, but a lot of them enjoy what they do and take some pride and ownership in growing a crop and feeding the world,” said Bays. The situation of drought isn’t new. In fact, the Central Valley Project began in 1933 during the Dust Bowl to deliver water from Northern California to the valley by way of canals. As decades go on, the seriousness of drought has increased, leaving farmers to look for alternative ways to save water. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
SEE ALSO: How Farmers Used California’s Floods to Revive Undergound Aquifers, from Reasons to be Cheerful
How much snow still covers California’s mountains this July?
“In a typical year, California mountains are largely snow-free at this stage in the summer, with some exceptions at higher elevations. This, however, has not been a typical year. In the last couple of weeks of July, large swaths of the Sierra continued to be covered in snow, making for tricky and in some cases treacherous hiking conditions. California’s snowpack reached record-high levels this year — 40 million acre-feet at its peak in April, which, melted, would be enough to fill a third of Lake Tahoe. The persisting snow cover has to do with an unusually wet winter and temperatures that remained low well into the spring. Direct sunlight is also usually a driving factor in accelerating snowmelt, but many parts of the state saw a relatively cloudy spring. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Understanding orphan wells and their threat to water sources
“Oil and gas wells that have been abandoned by their owners and left uncapped, known as orphan wells, have the potential to release hazardous substances into surface and groundwater supplies, which can harm the environment and public health. Old orphaned wells may have degraded well casing allowing oil, gas, or salty water to leak into freshwater aquifers and pollute them. Orphan wells have been a problem for many years in the oil and gas industry, and the number of such wells has been increasing since there are an estimated 2.6 million orphaned wells in the United States alone, with many more scattered around the world. Orphan wells can contaminate water sources through methane leakage since it is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. It can contaminate drinking water sources causing health problems such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. … ” Read more from AZO Cleantech.
AGU: Many of California’s threatened species live in reused water — for better or worse
“In the parched west, reusing water is a must. But scientists are still working to understand how reused, treated municipal waste water might impact the environments it’s released into. This water can have negative impacts, such as eutrophication, but can also provide new flow for spots where water had been diverted or dried up long ago. While many studies have explored the impact of reused water on water quality, fewer have examined its impacts on flora and fauna. A new study maps out California’s watersheds and how much of their water is reused. … ” Continue reading from the American Geophysical Union.
As water reuse expands, proponents battle the “yuck” factor
“When Janet Cruz lost an April election for a Tampa City Council seat, she became a political casualty of an increasingly high-stakes debate over recycled water. During her time in the Florida Legislature, Cruz had supported a new law allowing the use of treated wastewater in local water systems. But many Tampa residents were staunchly opposed to a plan by their water utility to do just that, and Cruz was forced to backtrack, with her spokesperson asserting she had never favored the type of complete water reuse known as “toilet to tap.” She lost anyway, and the water plan has been canceled. Tampa’s showdown may be a harbinger of things to come as climate change and drought cause water shortages in many parts of the country. With few alternatives for expanding supply, cities and states are rapidly adding recycled water to their portfolios and expanding the ways in which it can be used. Researchers say it’s safe — and that it’s essential to move past the 20th century notion that wastewater must stay flushed. … “Read more from CBS News.
Addressing the environmental impact of cannabis cultivation: A focus on sustainable practices
“Environmentally conscious cannabis cultivation has been a concern for years. For example, in response to the environmental destruction from outdoor cannabis cultivation in northern California, a 2017 bill allocated funds to support four restoration projects totaling $1.3 million (1). Last year, the Sustainable California Grown Cannabis Pilot Program (SCGC Pilot Program) was created to collect and compile data into a Best Management Practices Manual to guide outdoor cannabis cultivation (2). “One of the primary goals of regulating cannabis in California is to help address environmental benefits and concerns associated with its cultivation,” the SCGC Pilot Program website stated (2). “For example, greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction potential, sustainable land use, soil health benefits, ecological health benefits, pesticide use, and water resource management, are some of the many environmental interests associated with cannabis agriculture.” The program continues to offer grants to fund more watershed restoration (1). … ” Continue reading at Cannabis Science Tech.
Press release: US Tire Manufacturing Association mobilizes consortium to conduct 6ppd alternatives analysis under California regulations
“The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), which represents several of the world’s largest global tire companies, has mobilized a consortium of 16 tire manufacturers to conduct an alternatives analysis for 6PPD in tires under California’s Safer Consumer Product Regulations (SCPR). This comes after the decision by California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to act on USTMA’s recommendation to list 6PPD in tires as a Priority Product under the state’s Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program. … “This consortium will power a collaborative approach to the alternatives analysis process, which will yield the most effective and exhaustive review possible of whether a safer alternative to 6PPD in tires currently exists,” said USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke. “With the DTSC taking this action, we will continue our active and transparent work to complete the required alternatives analysis and collaborate with other stakeholders.” … ” Continue reading this press release from the US Tire Manufacturing Alliance.
“Cars just don’t belong in our waters”: Vehicle removals from Sacramento River raises concerns
“The Sacramento River on Wednesday served as the site of a multi-agency operation involving dive teams pulling cars out of the water. According to authorities, there is no reason to believe anyone was inside any of the vehicles. The river is often used for many recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and boating. It turns out, the river is also a place for people to dump the things they no longer want — which is why this area in Walnut Grove made it on the radar. … ” Read more from CBS News.
Webinar summary: California-Nevada Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar: July 24, 2023
“According to the July 18 U.S. Drought Monitor, only 9.5% of California/Nevada is in drought, down from 99% at the start of the water year (October 2022). Drought primarily remains now in parts of southeastern California and southern Nevada, which did not receive above-normal precipitation. The short-term weather concern is extreme heat, which is expected to hit the region this week. This webinar provided an overview of the current conditions and outlooks, a presentation on Improving Nevada’s Drought and Climate Monitoring Network, and more. The California-Nevada Drought Early Warning System July 2023 Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar is part of a series of regular drought and climate outlook webinars designed to provide stakeholders and other interested parties in the region with timely information on current drought status and impacts, as well as a preview of current and developing climatic events (e.g., El Niño and La Niña). … ” Read more from the NIDIS.
A relentless heat wave that refuses to let up brings danger to California, Southwest
“For nearly a month, millions of people across the American Southwest have sizzled, sweated and sweltered under a heat wave that refuses to let up. Day after day, residents from Fresno to Phoenix have endured triple-digit temperatures and hot, restless nights that have offered little relief. Forecasters say the heat wave is being driven by a ridge of high pressure that has parked itself over the region, creating a pressure cooker of slowly sinking warm air. But some experts say it is a worrisome indication of a climate that has been radically altered by human behavior colliding with the onset of El Niño. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Heightened concerns about heat waves and flooding due to climate change
“With ongoing record-high heat in California, across the nation, and in much of the northern hemisphere, the effects of climate change are a widespread and growing concern. In California, residents have endured successive heat waves while simultaneously preparing for wildfire season, recovering from historic flooding, and bracing for the melting of record-level snowpack in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. In the midst of these extreme events, record-high numbers of Californians are registering strong concerns about heat waves and flooding. Most Californians agree about the cause of these events. According to PPIC’s July Statewide Survey, an overwhelming majority of adults—77%—believe climate change is a contributor to extreme weather. This view is widespread, with strong majorities across regions and demographic groups in agreement on this point. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
ACWA releases new policy document on Headwaters Health
“A new policy document developed by ACWA encapsulates the association’s advocacy and recommendations for improving headwaters health. “Recommendations for Resilient Headwaters” can be accessed for downloading and sharing by visiting the Resources page at www.acwa.com. Produced through ACWA’s Headwaters Workgroup, the two-page document can be used in a variety of settings as an educational and advocacy tool, including outreach to elected officials, community leaders and audiences interested in learning more about the importance of headwaters health and why ACWA considers it a priority issue. … ” Read more from ACWA News.
NOW AVAILABLE: 2023 Integrated Modeling Framework Workshop Summary
“The Delta Science Program is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 Integrated Modeling Framework Workshop Summary. Held earlier this year, the workshop brought together many experts and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for developing an integrated modeling framework for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This comprehensive workshop summary captures the key topics covered, presentations, panel discussions, breakout group discussions, and more. It is intended for modelers, managers, and decision-makers. In fall 2023, the Delta Science Program will follow up with a report containing specific recommendations on the phased rollout of an integrated modeling framework for the Delta science community.” View/download report here.
Return to topIn commentary today …
Get the ‘forever chemicals’ out of our drinking water
The LA Times editorial board writes, “A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly half of the drinking water in the United States is contaminated with “forever chemicals,” the per- and polyfluoroakyl substances known as PFAS that can cause cancer and other health complications. And Southern California is among a handful of regions nationwide with a higher probability of tap water contaminated with PFAS. These findings are worrisome, particularly for communities that are already suffering from other sources of pollution. In Los Angeles County, water agencies in cities such as Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Vernon, Downey were found to have PFAS higher than the recommended levels as early as 2019. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Say no to these 4 new California bond measures worth $43.7 billion
The Southern California News Group editorial board writes, “As people are finding when they go for a home or car loan, today’s high interest rates have increased monthly payments. Despite that, reported the Sacramento Bee, members of the Assembly and Senate are proposing at least $43.7 billion in bond measures be put before voters in next year’s March and November elections. … Senate Bill 867 is by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Redondo Beach. It would be $15.5 billion in bonds for the Drought, Flood, and Water Resilience, Wildfire and Forest Resilience, Coastal Resilience, Extreme Heat Mitigation, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Climate Solutions, Climate Smart Agriculture, Park Creation and Outdoor Access and Clean Energy Bond Act. Especially after last year’s nearly $100 billion state budget surplus turned into this year’s $31.5 deficit, the Legislature should reject all these bonds. The loans always must be paid back, often with tax increases. … ” Read the full editorial at the Orange County Register.
Today’s featured articles …
IEP ANNUAL MEETING: Dr. Jay Lund: Floods, droughts, and climate change, oh my!
The Delta’s ecosystem and native species are in decline, despite the considerable efforts and resources devoted to reversing the trend. In his plenary presentation at the Interagency Ecological Program’s Annual Meeting, Dr. Jay Lund emphasizes the need for proactive planning and acknowledges the importance of learning from failures. He highlights how failures have influenced California’s water policies and plans. Don’t be afraid of failure; rather, embrace it as an opportunity to learn and improve the system’s management. … “
Continue reading this article.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Newsom’s Infrastructure Package Will Get More Clean Water to Californians
Commentary by Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors, and David Guy, President of the Northern California Water Association
Despite record rainfall and snowmelt this year, California is emerging from the three driest years in state history, and we’re estimated to lose 10% of our water supply in only 17 years. The Colorado River, and our state’s share of it, is shrinking. Many communities still don’t have reliable access to clean drinking water.
Weather whiplash threatens to make these problems even worse, threatening the supply of clean drinking water throughout California. These are the dire realities that our state faces, and it requires action. That means building more storage, fixing water pipes, modernizing infrastructure and water delivery, and more.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Yurok Tribe: There will be no salmon at the 59th Annual Klamath Salmon Festival
““With a heavy heart,” the Yurok Tribe has announced that salmon will not be served at the 59th Annual Klamath Salmon Festival because the Klamath River’s forecasted fall Chinook salmon run is one of the lowest on record. “This decision reflects our sacred responsibility to take care of the Klamath River’s fish stocks,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok TribeIn addition to not catching fish for the festival, we will not harvest any Klamath salmon this year to protect the fish population. “The festival is still happening and we are doing everything possible to make it the most memorable event yet. I encourage everyone to come out to support local vendors and have a good time with family and friends.” … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
The water flowing through the Sacramento River fell on Mount Shasta more than 50 years ago
“Mount Shasta holds a mesmerizing secret: the snow that blankets its slopes takes an astounding 50 years to flow into the headwaters of the Sacramento River. The process begins with the heavy snowfall that graces Mount Shasta’s peak during the winter months. Over the years, layers of snow accumulate, and the mountain becomes a vast reservoir of frozen water. As temperatures warm during spring and summer, a gradual transformation occurs. During the summer months, the sun’s rays intensify, and the warmer air begins to melt the outer layers of snow on Mount Shasta’s slopes. What sets this snowmelt apart from other mountains is the massive volume of snow that Mount Shasta retains throughout the year. The sheer depth and extent of snow allow it to stay cool and insulated, resulting in a slower melting process. … ” Read more from Active NorCal.
Measuring and monitoring are essential to groundwater sustainability
“Each spring groundwater levels are measured throughout the Sacramento Valley, including here in Butte County. As Watching Groundwater Level Recover in the Sacramento Valley noted earlier this year, water resources managers, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and landowners throughout the Sacramento Valley are watching groundwater levels and quality to see how the aquifer systems will recover on the heels of some very dry years where there has been little surface water in certain parts of the Valley. We are seeing some encouraging trends on aquifer recovery in Butte County with the wet year and we will continue to monitor and collect important information to ensure the sustainable management of our groundwater resources. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
NAPA/SONOMA
Limited water no impediment to Santa Rosa growth
“There’s enough water for Santa Rosa to continue growing. The city council Tuesday approved a report crucial to approving the city’s general plan—a lengthy document guiding future development. The council is required under state law to show that planned growth won’t outstrip water supplies through 2050. The official assessment called for obtaining more considerably water from the county’s main supplier—Sonoma Water—and upping what the city draws from aquifers, along with increasing use of recycled water for irrigation, reserving some drinking water. Sonoma Water recommended the council approve the report. … ” Read more from Northern California Public Media.
BAY AREA
Mountain View looks to map out and fix damage along creeks after storms leave eroded banks, downed trees
“For 26 years, Rachel Alvelais has enjoyed her regular walks along the Stevens Creek Trail by Whisman Park. Lately though, she has noticed changes to the creek that are inspiring and disquieting. “It’s a geologist’s dream,” Alvelais said, referring to rippled layers of sedimentation visible from the creek’s eroded banks. “But it’s also a bit worrisome to see the creek diverted so much.” This year’s winter storms brought an unprecedented amount of precipitation and significant flooding to the area, followed by strong windy weather in the spring that brought down trees and large branches. The onslaught of rain, combined with massive debris blockages, exacerbated erosion along Stevens Creek and created three trouble spots in need of fixes, according to a memo in May. … ” Read more from the Mountain View Voice.
Pleasanton council considers raising water rates
“The cost of water will likely rise this fall as the city attempts to steer its water enterprise fund away from insolvency. City staff proposed at the July 18 city council meeting to increase water rates by 30% starting Nov. 1, followed by a 20% increase on Jan. 1, 2025, and another 12% increase on Jan. 1, 2026. The first adjustment translates to an additional $16.59 per-month cost for the average single-family home using 20 centum cubic feet of water per month. “The reality is we got behind with rates relative to the financial needs to operate the system,” said City Manager Gerry Beaudin, who cited forever-chemical treatment, pipe replacements and a temporary booster pump as upcoming large expenses on top of the system’s operational costs. … ” Continue reading at the Livermore Independent.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSA awarded $7.7 million LandFlex grant
“The Lower Tule River Irrigation and Pixley District Groundwater Sustainability Agencies have received nearly $13 million in grants that will help growers in their districts continue to use their land while reducing or eliminating groundwater usage at the same time. The State Department of Water Resources announced on Monday it has awarded nearly $17 million to three Central Valley GSAs as part of the state’s LandFlex program. The LandFlex program is designed to allow growers to transition to sustainable groundwater use while also protecting drinking water supplies for vulnerable communities. It was announced on Monday the Lower Tule River Irrigation GSA was awarded a $7.7 million grant while the Pixley Irrigation District GSA was awarded a $5 million grant. The Westside Water District GSA also was awarded a $4 million. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
Kern River levels through Bakersfield being reduced: US Army Corps of Engineers
“Isabella Lake is almost filled to the brim, but Kern River levels are now reducing. As of Wednesday morning, the lake sits at 97% capacity. A vast majority of the snow from this past winter has melted and flowed into the lake, and the inflow of snowmelt has been steadily declining since late May. … ” Read more from KGET.
The story of the Kern River this year was one of historic numbers, luck and long term plans paying off
“Despite a few white knuckle moments, the Kern River’s historic flows were successfully managed through a combination of incredible timing, long term planning and pure luck, according to Kern River Watermaster Mark Mulkay. During a detailed discussion of Kern River and Isabella Dam operations Tuesday before a packed room, Mulkay led the audience through the run up to this year’s epic runoff. The luncheon discussion was hosted by the Water Association of Kern County at Bakersfield College. In October, he said, Kern River irrigators were bracing themselves for another horribly dry year on top of three previous horribly dry years. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Not all Kern River water is being counted the same by water districts
“Farmers in an agricultural water district northwest of Bakersfield may have South Fork Kern River water stored in a local water bank. Or they may not. It depends on who’s counting the water. The Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage district says that since July 5, up to 43 cubic feet per second of South Fork Kern water from its Onyx Ranch has been flowing through Lake Isabella and down the canyon to the valley floor where it’s been tucked into storage west of Allen Road. The Kern River Watermaster says otherwise. “We are not accounting for their water,” Mark Mulkay said Tuesday. “The daily flows are assigned at First Point (just west of Hart Park) to each rights holders. We are not delivering Onyx water.” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
EASTERN SIERRA
Ridgecrest: Press release: Court of Appeal sides with Mojave Pistachios and grants amicus briefs
“The Fourth Appellate District, Court of Appeal issued an order last week granting permission for four amicus briefs to be filed in support of Mojave Pistachios. In the first amicus brief, submitted by the California Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Cares, Western Growers Association, and American Pistachio Growers, the authors urged: “The California Legislature did not intend for SGMA to become a tool used to strip landowners of their water rights.” The second amicus brief, authored by the California Building Industry Association, states that “homebuilders rely on certainty in planning housing development in a time where California faces a housing crisis,” and “if the ruling stands, landowners may receive project permits, but then face a SGMA agency who could declare a zero-water allocation to their project from a particular water basin.” … ” Read more from Mojave Pistachios.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Change on water rate structure seen to ‘encourage conservation’ and ‘allow PWP to reach goals’
“Pasadena is expected to change how water bills are calculated, leading to higher bills for some customers. The new rate structure and rates to be determined soon will allow the utility to meet its revenue requirement. An outside consultant firm, Vice Raftelis Financial Consultants, is now completing PWP’s cost of service analysis, known as COSA, which will determine if the current water rates are adequate to cover the costs of the PWP’s operation. Currently, PWP’s pricing system is tiered by meter size. The structure charges heavy users more per gallon than light users — an approach designed to promote conservation. … ” Read more from Pasadena News.
Dune restoration could increase the resilience of Southern California’s urban beaches to sea level rise
“Over the last several years, the residents of Santa Monica, a coastal city on the edge of Los Angeles, saw something neither they, their parents, or perhaps even their grandparents had ever seen before: a three-foot-tall dune system rising gently from the flat, groomed expanse of one of the world’s most famous urban beaches. It’s a six year alliance between sand, wind and vegetation, and, according to UC Santa Barbara researchers, it’s one way to enlist nature to help protect the coast from the impacts of climate change. “The project was really to assess whether we could naturally grow dunes on a heavily urbanized, mechanically raked beach that had been that way for more than 70 years,” said Karina Johnston, a doctoral student at UCSB’s Marine Science Institute (MSI) and the Bren School for Environmental Science & Management, and lead author on a paper in Frontiers in Marine Science. “Could it work? Could it inform natural solutions to help protect our coastline from sea-level rise?” The short answer: quite possibly. … ” Read more from UC Santa Barbara Current.
Along the Colorado River …
Why Romney, 7 other senators want to amend 49-year-old Colorado River salinity bill
“Utah Sen. Mitt Romney is joining a bipartisan group of Western senators pushing a bill that seeks to reduce Colorado River salinity, which they contend will “provide greater support” for the river’s water users. Romney and Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, introduced the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act on Wednesday, a bill that seeks to amend the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act by increasing the federal cost-share of salinity control projects introduced in the original 1974 legislation. The original bill set up services like the Bureau of Reclamation’s Basin States Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program that helped farmers, ranchers and other water users mitigate naturally-occurring salinity in the Colorado River. … ” Read more from KSL.
The Canyons: Oil and water could mix in Colorado River country known for its beauty, fragility
“Beneath the limestone cliffs, the trunk of a lone, dead lodgepole pine stuck straight up from the brush along the riverbank, looming over a remote stretch of the Colorado River in northern Eagle County. Inside the train cars passing by on the opposite side of the river, a voice came over the loudspeaker, pointing out to passengers the dark shape perched inside the nest atop the barren tree. “The two bald eagles are gone, but that’s one of the younger ones that hatched this year,” the Amtrak conductor said. “They won’t get their crown of white feathers on top of their head until they’re almost a year and a half old — they look like giant crows, really, the younger ones. Maybe we’ll see mom and dad fishing down here in a little while.” No part of the 51-hour journey between Chicago and Oakland is more vital to the appeal of Amtrak’s California Zephyr than the 100-mile segment between stops in Glenwood Springs and Granby. … ” Read more from KUNC.
Colorado River has lost 10tn gallons of water since 2000 due to climate crisis
“The climate crisis has caused the ailing Colorado River basin, a system relied upon by 40 million people in the US west, to lose more than 10tn gallons of water in the last two decades, new research has found. The volume of water lost due to rising global temperatures has been so enormous that it is equal to the entire storage capacity of Lake Mead, the US’s largest reservoir that was formed by the Hoover Dam, or enough water to fill around 15bn Olympic-sized swimming pools. The Colorado River provides vital water supplies to people across the US west, as well as nourishes ecosystems and millions of acres of farmland, but has dwindled since 2000 due to a “megadrought” that has been significantly worsened by climate change. … ” Read more from the Guardian.
Reflections on sovereign water rights in the wake of Navajo Nation v Arizona
In national water news today …
Court blocks EPA’s water system cybersecurity improvement plan
“Following pushback from local legislators, the U.S. EPA’s plans to bolster public water system resiliency in the face of rising cyber threats has hit a roadblock. “A U.S. appeals court … temporarily blocked a Biden administration plan to improve cybersecurity for public water systems, after Republican-led states complained it would thrust burdensome costs on small and rural water suppliers,” Reuters reported. “The EPA’s plan announced on March 3, which it called ‘guidance,’ meaning it was non-binding, recommended a series of novel rules placing more responsibility for securing water facilities at the state level. The agency issued the plan following several high-profile hacking incidents in recent years.” … ” Read more from Water Online.
How can data centers reduce water usage and improve efficiency?
“When most people think of computing, water may be far from their minds. This resource, however, is crucial to the cooling systems of most large data centers — upon which the world’s digital infrastructure increasingly relies. Through a variety of mechanisms, water absorbs the heat energy emitted by servers, keeping their temperature stable and allowing them to function without interruption. However, our reliance on water to cool the contraptions that propel the digital era is creating new problems — especially in arid regions acutely afflicted by water scarcity. … ” Read more from Information Week.
California, other states move to block 3M’s $10.3 billion PFAS deal
“A group of 22 states and U.S. territories on Wednesday moved to block a proposed $10.3 billion settlement that would resolve claims against 3M Co over water pollution tied to “forever chemicals,” claiming the deal fails to adequately hold the company accountable. The group, led by California and including Texas, New York and the District of Columbia, filed a motion opposing approval of the settlement in a South Carolina federal court, where thousands of lawsuits against 3M and other companies over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are being fought. The proposed deal would provide funds over a 13-year period to cities, towns and other public water systems to test and treat contamination of PFAS. But the states said it isn’t enough to account for the damage caused by the chemicals, which are used in a wide range of products from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware to cosmetics and have been linked to cancers, hormonal dysfunction and environmental damage. … ” Read more from Reuters. | Press release: Attorney General Bonta Leads Bipartisan Coalition in Opposing 3M’s Proposed PFAS Settlement
Climate change leaves fingerprints on July heat waves around the globe, study says
“The fingerprints of climate change are all over the intense heat waves gripping the globe this month, a new study finds. Researchers say the deadly hot spells in the American Southwest and Southern Europe could not have happened without the continuing buildup of warming gases in the air. Thanks to years of research and more powerful computers, scientists can now determine almost in real-time whether climate change is contributing to the intensity of heat, storms, floods and drought — and by how much. A generation ago, calculating such connections took up to a year, but researchers at World Weather Attribution made their conclusions about this summer’s heat wave in less than a week. Their study is the first to look at three simultaneous heat waves on three different continents. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
