On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: California Water Plan Update 2023 – Conjunctive Use RMS and Recharge Area RMS from 9am to 12pm. The California Water Plan describes and updates a broad set of resource management strategies (RMSs) that help local agencies and governments manage their water and related resources. Every RMS can be a technique, program, or policy that can be used to meet water-related management needs of a region and the state as a whole. During this workshop, the Water Plan Team will gather comments on the draft Conjunctive Use RMS and Recharge Area RMS Workshop. Join Teams Meeting
- WEBINAR: Enhancing Benefits Evaluation for Water Resources Projects: Towards a More Comprehensive Approach for Nature-Based Solutions from 9:30 – 10:30am. The Network for Engineering With Nature® (EWN) invites you to the N-EWN Knowledge Series: A Continuing Education Series about Engineering with Nature—Enhancing Benefits Evaluation for Water Resources Projects: Towards a More Comprehensive Approach for Nature-Based Solutions, with Jordan Fischbach of The Water Institute. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: Innovation Matters: Charting the Path in Energy Advancements at the Water-Energy Nexus from 1:00 – 2:30pm. Join us for the next installment of our What Matters Webinar Series, organized by our Water Energy Efficiency Task Force. Delve into the intricate interplay of water and energy, and discover the forefront of energy possibilities for water operations. Featuring experts from leading organizations, this webinar explores innovative solutions and opportunities at the water-energy nexus. Click here to register.
- WORKSHOP: Draft California Water and Wastewater Extended Arrearage Payment Program Guidelines from 2pm to 3:30pm. State Water Board staff will hold an information webinar on the draft California Water and Wastewater Extended Arrearage Payment Program Guidelines. Public comments are being accepted on the draft guidelines through 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, September 25, 2023. The State Water Board will consider adoption of the Guidelines at the Tuesday, October 3 board meeting. Click here for the notice and webinar access instructions.
- MEETING: Delta Protection Commission from 5pm to 7pm. Agenda items include an update on the National Heritage Area Management Plan; Delta as a Place report, Delta Protection Advisory Committee (DPAC) report, consideration of adding one tribal representative and one additional public member to DPAC, and Bagley-Keene Training. Click here for the full agenda.
In California water news today …
How pollution from dry cleaners left California sitting on cancer-linked ‘time bombs’
“The deep, crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe are the iconic centerpiece of one of California’s most famed recreation areas. A local water provider is among the biggest cheerleaders of the lake’s legendary clarity, boasting this on its website: “Snow falls in winter, melts in spring and travels through a vast network of groundwater aquifers to Lake Tahoe,” the South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District says. “By pumping water from these aquifers, the South Lake Tahoe area has some of the tastiest and purest water in California.” But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Investigations over several years have found that even the “purest” groundwater is not immune to contamination from a carcinogenic chemical long used by a common business operation found in towns and cities across the state: dry cleaners. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune. | Read via the Sacramento Bee. | Watch video from the Sacramento Bee.
NASA tech lets scientists see snow-water through the trees
“NASA scientists are testing a technology that could more accurately measure water stored in snow as seen from a satellite in orbit. Melting snow provides much of the water that the western United States depend on for agriculture and power. But warming winters due to climate change led to decreased seasonal snowpacks high up in the Rockies and Sierra Nevada mountains. That in turn affects the volume of water that travels downriver to irrigate crops and turn hydroelectric turbines. “If you take out the seasonal snowpack, you can essentially forget about all the agricultural products that we grow in California, which feed a large portion of this country,” said Batuhan Osmanoglu, a research physical scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Osmanoglu is the principal investigator on the Snow Water Equivalent Synthetic Aperture Radar and Radiometer, or SWESARR, instrument, built to track the amount of water in those seasonal snowpacks from above. … ” Read more from NASA.
Microplastics from tires contribute heavily to waterways pollution
“A new study finds that tire wear particles were the most prevalent contributors to microplastics in urban stormwater runoff, according to a press release from Griffith University. Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the study showed that in stormwater runoff during rain approximately 19 out of every 20 microplastics collected were tire wear particles with anywhere from 2 to 59 particles per liter of water. “Pollution of our waterways by microplastics is an emerging environmental concern due to their persistence and accumulation in aquatic organisms and ecosystems,” said lead author Shima Ziajahromi, a research fellow at the Australian Rivers Institute. “Stormwater runoff, which contains a mixture of sediment, chemical, organic and physical pollutants, is a critical pathway for microplastics to washed off from urban environments during rain and into local aquatic habitats.” … ” Read more from Stormwater Solutions.
Newsom weighs restrictions on watering decorative grass
“A state bill on the verge of becoming law would ban the use of drinking water to irrigate decorative grass, a mandate endorsed by Marin leaders who are already largely prepared for it. Assembly Bill 1572, which has made its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, would involve the kind of grassy areas in street medians, business parks and city sidewalks. Decorative grass could still be irrigated with recycled water. The restrictions proposed under were first implemented by the state as temporary provisions during the recent three-year drought. The rules are set to expire in June. The bill would make these rules a permanent way of life in California. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
DWR releases California Water Plan 2023 for public comment
“From severe, multi-year droughts to sudden flooding, California is experiencing the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis. To better prepare and plan for a future with climate extremes, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the Public Review Draft of California Water Plan Update 2023. California Water Plan Update 2023 envisions a future where: “All Californians benefit from water resources that are sustainable, resilient to climate change, and managed to achieve shared values and connections to our communities and the environment.” To tackle this ambitious mission, California Water Plan Update 2023 focuses on three intersecting themes: addressing the urgency of climate change, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management. … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
Why California rivers saw fewer harmful algal blooms this year
“Outbreaks of harmful algal blooms have wreaked havoc on California river ecosystems for years. The toxic algae — a neon green layer of muck that floats atop water — thrives in warm, stagnant conditions brought on by drought. Presence of this algae can make life difficult for other plants and fish in the river, and even cause concerns for humans that accidentally ingest or possibly breathe the area around it. But this year was different. Faster, colder river waters led to fewer outbreaks of the harmful algae throughout the state. “We had this increased amount of snowpack, which is what caused a lot of flow down during the summer months,” said Spencer Fern, the Delta science program manager for the environmental nonprofit Restore the Delta. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio.
The summer of 2023 was California’s coolest in more than a decade
“The past summer was the hottest ever in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, scientists announced last week that June, July and August this year were the warmest on record globally, confirming that the horrific heat waves in many places were as awful as they seemed. But, as you’re probably already aware, the summer didn’t bring record-breaking heat to California. Some daily temperature records were broken in July in Palm Springs, Anaheim and Redding, but overall, the Golden State actually enjoyed its coolest summer since 2011, said Dan McEvoy, a researcher with the Western Regional Climate Center. That’s a particularly big relief after three consecutive summers that all ranked among our 10 most sizzling on record. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
California’s pumpkin crop this fall looks better with lack of drought
“For the past several years, the drought has impacted fall harvests across northern California. But this year, one popular fall crop is looking healthier and may be less expensive at your local pumpkin patch. Keema’s Pumpkin Farm has been growing the popular fall crop for decades. They, like many others, have struggled with drought. “Planting right at the end of June is the best setup for us and if we have a fairly moderate summer where it doesn’t get long stretches of 100-degree weather that’s better for us,” Mark Keema, owner of Keema’s Pumpkin Farm said. But 2023, has delivered just what they needed. … ” Read more from CBS Sacramento.
Senator Dodd recognizes Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week
“In appreciation of the critical role the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta plays in California’s economy and environment, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, is recognizing the last week of September as Delta Week. “The Delta is a cherished watershed and the very lifeblood of California’s water system,” Sen. Dodd said. “It is vital to our state as both a natural resource teeming with abundant wildlife and fish and a vital economic driver for tourism, recreation and Delta farmers. We must continue to protect it for future generations by preventing pollution and further marshland degradation and promoting its environmental health.” Sen. Dodd’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 established Delta Week, which this year kicks off Sept. 24. As part of the annual tradition, it will be preceded on Sept. 23 by Coastal Cleanup Day, which offers Californians a chance to participate in local waterway cleanup events. … ” Read more from Senator Dodd’s office.
Agencies can apply now for funding through state instream flow water purchase program
“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) are accepting applications for the Instream Flow Water Purchase Program. Grant funding is available under the program for projects that measurably enhance existing flow conditions to provide fisheries and ecosystem benefits, with a focus on the acquisition of instream flows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed during January through June, with priority for flows provided in dry and critically dry water year types. DWR is accepting the applications on a rolling basis, and applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by Oct 1. Submittal of conceptual proposals is possible, and applicants with such proposals are encouraged to contact DWR prior to submission. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News.
End of 2023 legislative session highlights
“The 2023 California legislative session concluded on September 14, 2023. This article highlights new bills pertaining to water rights, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and emissions on the consumer and industry levels, as well as bills that are being held over. … ” Read more from Somach Simmons & Dunn.
Harder reintroduces SAVE Water Resources Act to address Central Valley water needs
“Representative Josh Harder just reintroduced his Securing Access for the Central Valley and Enhancing (SAVE) Water Resources Act. The bill provides a wraparound approach to addressing water issues facing the Central Valley by increasing storage opportunities, spurring innovation, and making long-overdue investments in our aging water infrastructure. Water is a crucial resource for San Joaquin County’s agriculture industry, and Harder is committed to protecting it for generations to come. “Water is our most precious resource in the Valley and we must do everything we can to protect it and end the cycle of flooding and extreme drought,” said Rep. Harder. “Pitting us against each other to fight over water isn’t the answer. We need to invest in our water infrastructure so that when we see historic rain like earlier this year, it can be stored for later use instead of flooding our families’ living rooms.” … ” Continue reading at Congressman Josh Harder’s website.
U.S. Senate panel grapples with how to ensure access to water amid Western drought
“Decades of drought in the West has made water quality and quantity a major issue requiring government funding and innovation to fix, members of a U.S. Senate panel said Wednesday. Demand for water in growing municipalities is stretching agricultural and tribal communities, while shrinking availability is leading to higher water prices, witnesses told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Water and Power Subcommittee. More than 2 million Americans lack access to safe and reliable drinking water, subcommittee Chair Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said. “America can do better and America must do better,” he said. “The problem is worsened by the devastating drought that has hit so much of our country.” … ” Read more from Oregon Capital Chronicle.
State regulators bar Arrowhead from bottling most mountain spring water
“After more than a century of bottling water from natural springs in California, state regulators ordered the company that owns Arrowhead Water to stop using some of the springs. Arrowhead Water is owned by BlueTriton Brands and was formerly owned by Nestle. The backstory: In 2015 a report by the Desert Sun revealed that Nestle was taking water from the San Bernardino National Forest despite using a permit that expired in 1988. … ” Read more from the San Bernardino Sun.
SEE ALSO: California orders bottled water firm to stop drawing from natural springs, from The Guardian
Every angler can help control aquatic invasive species
Professional fisherman Ish Monroe writes, “I started fishing tournaments when I was 14 years old. I had a passion for competing and wanted to make it my living. In 1997, when I was 22, Bassmaster came out West and I qualified for their pro bass fishing tour. It was right then that I put everything I owned into storage and never looked back. As a pro angler for almost the last three decades, I’ve met a lot of great people, and heard from parents how much it meant to their children to see someone with a similar look and background in this sport. Because fishing is not only my livelihood, but my passion (I love to saltwater fish for fun, and just got back from an offshore tuna fishing excursion), I pay attention to threats to angling in America. One of the biggest, least understood, and most difficult to address threats arrived in this country a long time ago. I’m talking about aquatic invasive species (AIS). … ” Continue reading from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
Does California have what it takes to adapt to sea level rise? New book offers hope
“Let’s start with a confession: I’m not much of a beach person. Sure, I’ve lived most of my life within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean, and spent plenty of time on the sand — enjoyed it, even. But swimming isn’t my jam. I don’t surf. Hiking in the mountains is much more fun for me than an afternoon by the water. So when it comes to climate change, I spend less time thinking about sea level rise than other dangers. That changed recently thanks to a powerful new book by my L.A. Times colleague Rosanna Xia, a veteran environment reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist. In “California Against the Sea: Visions for Our Vanishing Coastline,” Rosanna journeys up and down the Golden State’s much-loved waterfront, exploring the many ways that fossil fuel pollution is reshaping the Pacific shore. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Newsom UN address blames fossil fuel use for wildfires, droughts, floods
Sammy Roth writes, “California Governor Gavin Newsom focused his address on blaming fossil fuel use for California’s wildfires and droughts while celebrating California’s ambitious plans to move towards a low-carbon, sustainable economy. “If you read the newspaper or turn on your TV … you see a state not just of dreamers and doers, but you see a state that’s burning up. A state that’s choking up. A state that’s heating up with wildfires and floods and droughts,” said Newsom at the UN. “This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis … And we need to call that out.” The one-day UN Climate Ambition Summit aims to “accelerate action by governments, business, finance, local authorities and civil society, and hear from ‘first movers and doers’,” aims to demonstrate “there is collective global will to accelerate the pace and scale of a just transition to a more equitable renewable-energy based, climate-resilient global economy.” … ” Read more from The Center Square.
SEE ALSO: Governor Newsom Calls Out Oil Industry at UN: “This is a Fossil Fuel Crisis”, press release from the Office of the Governor
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
California is engaged in the world’s largest dam removal project in hopes of letting nature rebound
“This time next year, a series of massive dams that block off the Klamath River will no longer exist. The soil and rocks originally dug and transported from a nearby mountain in the 1950s will be returned to their home and the river will run freely again. The Iron Gate Dam, which opened in 1964 as the last of four dams that, at nearly 200 feet tall each, regulated the flow of the river and time releases for the local water supply in Northern California, is now part of the world’s largest dam removal and river restoration project. Iron Gate is scheduled to be the final stop for decommissioning crews. One of the dams, Copco2, was removed earlier this year in just a handful of months. It was a relatively quick undertaking, considering the construction of the Iron Gate Dam took nearly a decade. Mark Bransom, the CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, said the river will be able to flow freely once the dam’s infrastructure is removed. He also said they have plans to help nature take back the area. “As soon as the reservoir is drained, we’ll get out on the footprint there and begin some initial restoration activity,” Bransom said. “We want to stabilize the remaining sediments using native vegetation.” … ” Continue reading from NBC News.
Where the Eel & Russian Rivers meet
“The water supply for the southern half of inland Mendocino County is dependent on water from the Russian River. … For well over 100 years, the water flows of the Russian River have been supplemented from water diverted from the Eel River via the Potter Valley Project (PVP). The PVP includes Scott Dam which forms Lake Pillsbury, Cape Horn Dam which forms Van Arsdale Reservoir, and a diversion tunnel that transports water underground to the East Fork of the Russian River. All of that is about to drastically change, and possibly end, as Pacific Gas and Electric, who owns the PVP, has abandoned their license to operate the project and are moving forward with decommissioning. … ” Read more from the Anderson Valley Advertiser.
Point Arena completes initial sea level rise study
“Point Arena received a Coastal Commission grant to study the impacts sea level rise will have on their pier and cove area in August of 2022. They recently released the initial study with findings that will be used to open up the conversation with Point Arena residents and develop mitigation and adaptation plans. The study was previewed at a Grass Roots Institute meeting on September 18th with eye-opening findings. Point Arena hired a consulting firm to complete the study. Louis White was the presenting engineer. According to White, there are three risk assessment levels established for sea level rise. The study was based on the medium risk aversion, which is 1.88 feet by 2050, 3.3 feet by 2070, and 6.7 feet by 2100, and looked at historic flooding in the cove, FEMA documentation on 100-year flood events and both the impacts of sea level rise as its own issue and when combined with flooding in Arena Creek. The study includes a list of assets in the cove, including utilities, development, ecological, and recreational. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Beacon.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
El Niño is poised to deliver ‘above average’ snowfall for California
“YouTube channel Direct Weather is one of the best sources for long-term weather forecasts on the internet. His videos are a useful resource to make plans for the upcoming ski season. Meteorologists are convinced that a ‘strong’ El Niño will dominate our weather patterns through at least the end of March. Direct Weather uses maps in the video below to visualize how much snow each region expects on an annual basis, and what we should expect this winter based on the likelihood of a strong El Niño. … ” Continue reading from Powder Magazine.
Unveiling the Van Norden Meadow Restoration Project following a record-breaking winter
“Following a record-breaking winter, South Yuba River Citizen League (SYRCL) scientists were eager to check in on the success of the restoration completed in 2022 during Phase 1 of the Van Norden Meadow Restoration Project! Van Norden meadow (Yayalu Itdeh in Washoe), an important 485-acre meadow at the headwaters of the South Yuba River, is being restored by SYRCL, in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest (USFS), the Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT), and other partners. This restoration project is being done over multiple phases and is intended to result in enhanced ecological and hydrologic function, increased groundwater levels, increased summer base flows, improved water quality, increased carbon storage, improved meadow habitat for a variety of wildlife species, and improved formalized recreation opportunities. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
The floodplains help juvenile salmon reach a healthy size for improved survival
“As part of the Floodplain Forward Coalition, there are significant efforts to re-imagine and better use our system of flood control levees and bypasses, the farmlands in the historic floodplain, and oxbows and other features within the river to benefit salmon, birds, and agriculture while ensuring the flood protection system functions well when needed. By reactivating Sacramento River floodplains and allowing bypasses to connect to the river more frequently and for longer durations, the Sacramento Valley can better mimic historical flood patterns and reintegrate natural wetland productivity into the river ecosystem needed to promote salmon recovery while simultaneously improving flood protection and enhancing water security. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
Chinook salmon return to Feather River as hatchery fish ladder opens
“As the natural cycle of life unfolds, Chinook salmon are making their triumphant return to the Feather River. Commencing on September 15, water began to flow down the fish ladder. And on September 18, the Feather River Fish Hatchery kicked off its vital spawning activities.For those eager to witness this incredible spectacle, a visit to the Hatchery’s fish barrier dam overlook viewing area is a must. Here, visitors can observe salmon gathering and leaping in the Feather River. An underwater viewing window offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures as they ascend the fish ladder. Located off Table Mountain Boulevard, opposite the Hatchery, this overlook promises unforgettable views. The fish ladder is anticipated to remain accessible for viewing until early to mid-July 2024. … ” Read more from Active NorCal.
Marysville provides update on Ellis Lake water quality
“Marysville City Manager Jim Schaad gave the council and public an update Tuesday on the status of Ellis Lake’s water quality and efforts to combat the aquatic weeds and algae buildup that cause a less-than-desirable appearance of one of the most visible areas of the city. According to Schaad, the city has applied for a permit that is required to remove the excess algae and aquatic weeds that have been ever present over the last few months. Despite the large visible presence of aquatic weeds, Schaad said the water is actually clearer than it’s been in a while with most of the algae having disappeared naturally over time. The weeds, however, have taken over the lake, Schaad said. … ” Read more from the Appeal Democrat.
American River project aims to restore salmon habitat amid dwindling populations
“A salmon habitat restoration project in the American River is hoping to make life easy for the struggling fish headed up for the fall run. The stretch of the American River near Carmichael has always been an integral part of salmon spawning — fall-run Chinook salmon, in particular. The populations have dwindled so much, that the fishing season for them was actually suspended for this year. The Sacramento Water Forum has been trying to change that over the past 15 years, making this area sleep better habitat. The changes include grinding rocks down to gravel so instead of just popping into the river, they end up becoming gravel which can become life-saving for fish when they spawn. … ” Read more from CBS Sacramento.
NAPA/SONOMA
Napa city water rates will likely increase in 2024
“Water customers in the city of Napa will likely pay higher rates starting in 2024. The city’s utilities department laid out the proposed increases – the first in three years – in a Tuesday presentation to the Napa City Council. Joy Eldredge, the city utilities director, made the case for rate hikes, stating that Napa’s water division will face an annual $6.8 million budget deficit if rates aren’t adjusted. Ninety percent of the water division’s revenue comes from residents’ bimonthly bills, according to Eldredge, but rates haven’t gone up since October 2021. Due to inflation and increased costs of goods during the last few years, current rates do not reflect the higher expenses of maintaining the division, she said. … ” Read more from the Napa Register.
The Petaluma River is in good health, experts say, and cleanups help keep it that way
“Those living near – or floating on – the muddy Petaluma River may be surprised to hear what local experts have to say about its ecological health. The beloved waterway, they say, is in pretty good shape. In fact it’s considered the Bay’s cleanest estuary – so clean that salmon are happily spawning in it. The “relative health” of the Petaluma River’s ecosystem has been, and remains, “really good,” said Petaluma High School marine science teacher Phil Tacata. He said colleagues and fellow marine science experts – including educators at both Petaluma and Casa Grande high schools who conduct regular water quality tests with students – support that assessment. … ” Read more from the Petaluma Argus Courier.
BAY AREA
Editorial: Santa Venetia flood-control berms should be built to last
The Marin Independent Journal editorial board writes, “There’s no debate whether flooding is a serious risk for Santa Venetia residents. Over the years, there’s been plenty of debate over long-term plans for protecting the low-lying neighborhood from flooding and who should pay for it. Meanwhile, the county has started work on repairing sections of the timber-reinforced earth berm that is now protecting the area. The berm, which was installed by the county following damaging flooding in 1982 and 1983, has been in place for nearly 40 years. The wall, stretching from Meadow Drive to Vendola Drive, is deteriorating. The county is spending $300,000 to repair it. The plan is to finish the work by the end of October, in time to upgrade protection before the rainy season. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Pleasanton council presses pause on water rate increase vote
“The Pleasanton City Council voted to delay the decision about increasing the city’s water rates by 62% over three years after dozens of residents packed the meeting room on Tuesday to ask the council to slow down so that staff can conduct more analysis on the topic. That work, the council concurred, should include evaluating comments from the public, responding to resident questions and figuring out any possible alternatives to the three-year water rate hikes. Afterward, staff will present their next recommendation for the rates during the Nov. 7 council meeting. “We’ve been talking about this subject, since I don’t even know when … We’ve talked about a lot of different things and our staff has addressed a lot of those things,” Councilmember Valerie Arkin said. “But if there is new information or additional information our staff wants to provide, I think that will be great based on public input.” … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.
CENTRAL COAST
A generational project to restore a mile-long length of the Carmel River is well on its way.
“In 1883, two years after he created Hotel Del Monte, railroad baron Charles Crocker facilitated the construction, near Cachagua, of the so-called Chinese Dam – the Carmel River’s first – which aimed to provide 400 acre-feet of water annually to his hotel. The San Clemente Dam – which sought to provide water to the Monterey Peninsula – followed in 1921, and the Los Padres Dam, which was built in 1949 and is the only one left, sought to do the same. Downstream, meanwhile, along the river’s banks, homes, ag fields and golf courses cropped up, encroaching on the river and narrowing its banks, sometimes with manmade fortifications. The result is a river that is tightly constrained and largely kept out of its historical floodplain except in years of deluge, a natural process that for adjacent property owners can be a disaster. There is a plan in the works, years in the making, though not yet quite near the finish line: the Rancho Cañada Floodplain Restoration Project. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly.
New rules for oil and gas operators proposed in Ventura County
“Ventura County planning commissioners on Thursday will again consider a proposal to substantially increase bond amounts for local oil and gas operators. It will be the third time the commission will do so in a little over a year. Last summer, commissioners advanced a proposal for beefed up bonds and insurance coverage. The plan was expected to be considered by the Board of Supervisors next. But commissioners also asked that additional research be completed and for staff to hold a public session with oil and gas operators, environmental groups and others. The work delayed the process and led to changes that now require the matter to return to the commission, county planners said. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Kings River runoff wettest ever
“Runoff coming down the mighty Kings River is the most ever this water year says Kings Water Master Steve Haugen of the Kings River Water Association. It is the wettest year since the dam on Kings was built in 1954. With just a few weeks left until Oct. 1 and the start of a new water year, runoff now exceeds both 1983 and 1969 numbers and is expected to reach 4.5 million acre feet by Sept 30. That compares with 1983 runoff at 4.47 million AF and 1969 at 4.38 million AF, he adds. The Kings River is the largest river draining the southern Sierra Nevada with an average annual flow of 1,791,000 acre-feet. We are at more than 2.5% of average this year. … ” Read more from the Hanford Sentinel.
Kings County crops see major boost in 2022
“Kings County farmers saw a major gain in crop value last year, with the annual crop report showing a 10.7 percent increase in total value from the year before. Last year’s success in Kings County comes as its neighbor to the south, Kern County, experienced a downturn of seven percent in 2022. The big picture: Kern County’s 10.7 percent increase in 2022 brought the total gross value of all crops and products to nearly $2.6 billion. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
“Grateful for the water”: What recent storms mean for Shafter and Wasco
“After a three year drought, and historic storm trends across Central California this past year, water is a plenty. The video shows the Shafter-Wasco Irrigation Districts recharge ponds are nearly full creating a surplus for farmers in the district and the cities of Shafter and Wasco. The District’s General Manager Kris Lawrence says right now, the excess water from this past year is mostly sitting in recharge ponds around the district, which help to recharge the ground water in the area. Though the increase in water this year is proving beneficial to water providers and farmers moving forward, it has had negative impacts in the immediate such as crop production. … ” Read more from Channel 23.
SAN DIEGO
New bill makes it harder for small agencies to ‘divorce’ Water Authority
“After three years and a contentious fight, ratepayers in Fallbrook and Rainbow will finally have their say on whether to leave the San Diego County Water Authority in November’s special election. But for a while, that vote was in jeopardy. When the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved the detachment in July, there was a bill making its way through the California Legislature that could have upended that. … ” Read more from KPBS.
Water rates could climb 12 percent in two years for Oceanside
“Oceanside’s water rates could climb 6 percent in 2024 and another 6 percent in 2025 under a proposal outlined this week by the city’s water utilities director. The increases are the result of rate hikes by the Metropolitan Water District, Southern California’s biggest water wholesaler, and the San Diego County Water Authority, which buys water from Metropolitan and sells it to local agencies. “We are directly passing through those rates,” Oceanside Water Utilities Director Lindsay Leahy said Tuesday in a presentation to the city’s Water Utilities Commission. The proposal is scheduled to go to the Oceanside City Council for approval Nov. 15. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune.
San Diego City Council approves first significant water rate increase since 2015
“On a 5-3 vote, the San Diego City Council approved a series of water rate increases Tuesday totaling nearly 20% over the next two years, following a public hearing during which San Diegans largely urged the body to reject the hikes. The first adjustment will be an increase of 5%, effective Dec. 1, 2023, followed by a 5.2% increase on July 1, 2024, and an increase of 8.7% effective Jan. 1, 2025. While ratepayers have previously seen smaller increases, Tuesday’s rate adjustment is the first comprehensive jump in rates since 2015. … ” Read more from KPBS.
More than $1 billion needed to overhaul San Diego’s stormwater system
“Engineers with the city of San Diego say local neighborhoods are always one rainstorm away from disastrous flooding. They say it’s because our storm system is decades past its lifetime. And right now, they say, the city doesn’t have enough money to set aside to fix problems that keep them up at night. Stormwater wasn’t as big a concern a hundred years ago, when there was a lot less urban development. In the past, all that green space absorbed the rain like a sponge, and storm drains took any excess runoff straight from our gutters into our waterways. But today, more of the city is paved over, funneling all that rain into the stormwater system. … ” Read more from NBC 7.
San Diego County’s mayors push Newsom for help with border water-pollution crisis
“The Tijuana River sewage emergency has reached the state level once again. All 18 mayors in San Diego County have sent another letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, asking for his help to address the ongoing sewage and chemical pollutants flowing into the ocean from the river. “Trans-boundary sewage flows continue … across these lands, impacting our people, our water, our beaches, our ocean and our future,” said Sandy Naranjo, vice-chair for the San Diego County Board of Port Commissioners. … ” Read more from NBC 7.
Port of San Diego joins calls for help to deal with cross-border sewage
“The San Diego Unified Port District is adding its voice to the call for a state of emergency over cross-border sewage flows in the South Bay. The port sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom asking him to take the issue seriously. “We call on the governor to declare a state of emergency because our future is in his hands,” said Sandy Naranjo, who is vice chair of the board of port commissioners at the San Diego Unified Port District. … ” Read more from KPBS.
Along the Colorado River …
Leaders in Yuma say they need binational help for Colorado River Delta restoration
“The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission held a citizens forum in Yuma about restoration efforts for the Colorado River Delta. Local leaders say it’s going to take a binational effort from Mexico and the U.S. to restore higher water levels in the Colorado River. The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the Southwestern U.S., providing billions of gallons of water to cities and farms in states including Arizona and eventually down to Mexico. Estuaries along the river in Mexico dried up, losing vital habitats along the way. “Along the course of the Colorado River, most of the water isn’t there anymore,” said Karl Flessa, geosciences professor at the University of Arizona. … ” Continue reading from KYMA.
In national water news today …
The twisted story of how bottled water took over the world
“How did the nascent bottled water industry make a market for a product that for much of the past century was largely viewed as an unnecessary or wasteful luxury good? In just four decades, this commodity has transformed into a ubiquitous consumer object that is now the primary, and sometimes sole, source of drinking water for billions of people globally. The story of bottled water’s resurgence in places with abundant, clean tap water revolves around the question of why people have increasingly come to distrust their tap water, and how the expanding bottled water industry has fueled and taken advantage of this phenomenon. … ” Read more from Fast Company.
Biden-Harris Administration announces commitment to advancing water equity and access for all
“At the Clinton Global Initiative 2023 Meeting in New York, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox announced that EPA is committing to address pressing water challenges in 1,500 disadvantaged communities across the country. EPA’s Advancing Water Equity and Access for All Commitment will invest $500 million, including funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for technical assistance to help communities invest in water infrastructure to close America’s water equity gap. “Too many people in the United States lack access to clean and safe water. As result, these communities face significant health issues and barriers to economic opportunity,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents a historic opportunity to change the odds for people living in these areas. With this commitment to 1,500 communities, EPA is delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s promise to invest in America and leave no family behind.” … ” Read more from the EPA.
