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In California water news today …
Sierra snowpack and reservoir capacity gives California positive water news to start April
“Water years in California can be all over the place with massive years immediately followed by major droughts. It’s been described as hit and miss, but rarely do you get a hit-hit-hit situation in one key metric for water in the state: snowpack. Snowpack is highly variable since it’s a component of water and temperature. You can have big snowfalls followed up by warm and dry conditions, then by early spring when snow melt and runoff is most important, some of the snowpack may be already gone. The key metric is the April 1 snowpack numbers. This is often when big significant snow storms start to dwindle and more convective (spotty) and warmer storms start to take over. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
SEE ALSO: California’s snowpack report card is in. What does it mean for the water supply?, from the LA Times
Snow drought current conditions and impacts in the West
“Unusual rapid snowmelt occurred at higher elevations across the West due to a spring heat wave. Rapid melt can intensify drought conditions and alter spring water supply forecasts. Record-breaking snowmelt occurred in every Western state except Alaska due to above-normal temperatures, with some stations melting 5-7 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE). Subsequent rapid runoff caused flooding. Despite some storms in March across southern Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and southeastern Nevada, deep seasonal snow deficits remain. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s outlooks favor a much warmer and drier pattern over the next two weeks across the West, which could further accelerate snowmelt. … ” Read the full update from NIDIS.
California Senate scales back bill to Trump-proof water protections
“Sen. Ben Allen accepted amendments Wednesday to narrow the scope of his bill meant to protect state waters from Trump administration rollbacks. What happened: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee said it would approve SB 601— which would create the term “nexus waters” to encompass all waters of the state that were under federal jurisdiction before the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA — after Allen agreed to amend it to clarify that it doesn’t apply to agricultural runoff or drinking water. “We are taking amendments to be very clear that we’re only talking about point sources, not non-point source,” said Sean Bothwell, executive director at California Coastkeeper Alliance and author of the bill. Allen also accepted the committee’s suggested amendments to further clarify the definition of “nexus” waters to ensure that they are only giving Clean Water Act protections to waters that had them prior to the Sackett decision. … ” Read more from E&E News (sorrry, subscription required).
Congressman Valadao reintroduces legislation to improve the Central Valley’s drinking water
“Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) to reintroduce the Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act. This bipartisan bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide resources for nitrate and arsenic reduction, with priority given to assisting underserved communities. “Access to clean drinking water is essential for the health and well-being of every American—especially in rural and underserved communities like the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bipartisan bill gives rural communities that rely on groundwater the resources they need to reduce harmful contaminants and ensure our water supply is safe. I’m proud to join Rep. Torres to help our small towns throughout the Valley fix this ongoing issue.” … ” Read more from Congressman Valadao’s website.
In commentary today …
California Ag is pioneering a new era of innovation, resilience
William Bourdeau, executive vice president of Harris Farms, owner of Bourdeau Farms, director of the Westlands Water District, and other things, writes, “From the fertile field of the San Joaquin Valley to technology hubs across the state, California agriculture is embracing a vibrant new era marked by innovation, resilience, and promise. Advances in water management, AI-driven analytics, and resource-efficient farming practices are merging to pave the way for growth, continuity and stability. As we confront complex issues such as inflation, regulatory complexity, and hydrologic volatility, the farmers, communities, and local industries of our region have proven their exceptional adaptability and visionary leadership. At the core of the San Joaquin Valley’s success lies an unwavering commitment to optimizing resources and minimizing operational costs. Cutting-edge technologies such as sensor-based irrigation systems, predictive analytics, and proactive equipment maintenance are delivering tangible financial benefits. These advancements strengthen the agricultural supply chain and help stabilize consumer prices by ensuring farms remain profitable and competitive amid market pressures. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
Many firefighting foams contain dangerous PFAS ‘forever chemicals.’ Have we learned our lesson?
Jonathan Sharp, CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group, PC, writes, “Every week the lawyers at my firm talk to civilian and military firefighters whose health has been threatened by the very tool they relied upon to protect other peoples’ lives: aqueous film-forming foams. For decades aqueous film-forming foams were the gold standard in fire suppression. But like many seemingly foolproof solutions, these fire extinguishers bear a dark legacy through the carcinogenic toxic chemicals called per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Since its invention by the U.S. Navy and the 3M company in the 1960s, PFAS-based firefighting foams, especially aqueous film-forming foams AFFF, were promoted as “safe as soap” until PFAS’s hazardous nature came to light. AFFF is highly effective against flammable fuel fires, but the chemicals that make this foam a lifesaver also cause devastating health and environmental damage. … ” Continue reading at The Revelator.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Court of Appeal rules in favor of the Koi nation of Northern California, and holds that the city of Clearlake’s Tribal consultation process was inadequate
“On March 14, the First District Court of Appeal issued the first appellate decision on the adequacy of a lead agency’s consultation with California Native American Tribes regarding a project’s impacts on tribal cultural resources. The ruling in Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of Clearlake (A169438) helps define the requirement for a Tribe to initiate consultation, the requirements for a lead agency to conduct adequate government to government consultation with a Tribe, and the requirement to appropriately document the consultation in the lead agency’s environmental document for a project. … ” Read more from the Kronick Law Firm.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Late storm boosts Nevada Irrigation District’s snowpack; April survey measures 98% of average
“Spring has newly arrived, and snowpack on the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) snow courses are at 98 percent of average leading into warmer weather. NID hydrographers conduct three official snow surveys each year in February, March and April. Measurements are taken on five snow courses at varying elevations to get a good overview of the amount of snow in the watersheds that provide the District with water. Results of the snow surveys are used to predict water availability locally and statewide. The April survey, conducted on March 25-26, found the average water content was 33.0 inches or 98 percent of the historical average. … ” Read more from the Nevada Irrigation District.
NAPA/SONOMA
Santa Rosa approves water and sewer rate increases. Here’s how much
“Santa Rosa residents will pay more for water and sewer service starting this summer with additional increases over the next several years under a new rate plan approved by the City Council. The increases are expected to help the city invest in improvements to the aging utility system as well as protect it against natural disasters and climate impacts. Santa Rosa Water serves about 54,000 water customers and 52,000 wastewater customers. It also operates the regional Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant. Utility rates paid by residential, commercial and industrial customers make up about 90% of the revenue generated by the system and helps pay for operations and maintenance, debt service and capital improvements. Here’s what this means for ratepayers. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
More strange sea creatures wash up on Bay Area beaches
“In the chilly waters off the Northern California coast, palm-size sea creatures known as Velella velella float along the ocean’s choppy surface. But springtime storms can push the jellyfish-like animals ashore in large numbers, as Marin County’s Bolinas Beach saw last weekend. Scientists who study the events call them “mass strandings” and say they are most likely to occur from late March through April. This year’s unique weather conditions are especially ripe for big influxes of the delicate blue hydrozoans, scientists said, meaning the animals could inundate more Bay Area beaches in the coming weeks. The reason lies in recent weather patterns connected to La Niña and colder-than-average ocean temperatures. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
10-story development contested over toxins in groundwater
“A 10-story development on the corner of Ashby and Shattuck Avenues will move forward after labor unions and residents brought forward environmental concerns to the City Council on March 25. A group of neighbors, East Bay Residents for Responsible Development, or EBRRD, and the construction workers’ union Laborers International Union of North America, Local Union 304, or LiUNA 304, filed an appeal to the Zoning Adjustments Board, or ZAB, for approval of the development. LiUNA and EBRRD argued that benzene levels would put construction workers on the site at risk. Despite a back-and-forth during the City Council meeting, benzene levels in the groundwater were found to be within both residential and commercial limits, according to a City Council report. … ” Read more from the Daily Californian.
New invader found in the Delta
“Golden mussels are the newest in a long list of invasive species plaguing the San Joaquin Delta. First found locally in the Port of Stockton in October last year, they have since been spotted at the Discovery Bay Marina on Feb. 18, Big Break Marina last Dec. 17, Old River last Nov. 14, Dutch Slough last Nov. 21, and various other popular spots frequented by East County recreational boaters. Officials say they believe they were first carried into Stockton by a ship from an international port. Roger Mammon, president of the West Delta Chapter of the California Striped Bass Association and secretary of Restore the Delta, said the mussels are a threat to the Delta. “I’ve seen pictures of outdrives on a boat that are clogged with mussels,” Mammon said. “They will attach to just about any hard surface, and they reproduce quickly.” … ” Read more from the Brentwood Press.
This Silicon Valley city has the highest coastal flood risk in California
“Redwood City has the highest risk for severe coastal floods of any California city, according to data released Wednesday by Climate Central. The science and communication nonprofit’s report finds over 22,000 people — 27% of the city’s total population — reside in an area at risk of a 100-year flood occurring in the next 25 years. The city, located in San Mateo county, is one of a number of California coastal and bayshore communities that face risks from damaging floods, particularly in the coming decades, as climate change causes sea levels to rise. The terrain in San Mateo County, where an estimated total of 29,000 people are vulnerable to intense floods by mid-century, is low-lying along the bay shoreline. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
San Jose homeless people struggle with clean water sources
“Dozens of homeless residents living at Columbus Park in San Jose have struggled to get drinking water, as local sources in the park have been off and on for weeks. Residents encamped in RVs and vehicles said they used to get their drinking water from fountains in the park, but the city shut the water off for at least two months. Some reverted to collecting water in containers from a spigot to bathe, wash their hands and cook. But when the spigot shut off mid-March, residents had to limit their baths and rely on advocates to bring them drinking water or find another water source elsewhere. Water at both the fountains and spigot returned the day after San José Spotlight inquired about the situation last week, but have since gone dry again. Columbus Park is home to at least 50 lived-in vehicles. … ” Read more from the San Jose Spotlight.
CENTRAL COAST
Should domestic well owners pay Paso Basin water use fees? One district says no
“Domestic well owners should not be charged fees for pumping from the overdrafted Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, according to one water district. “The problem has never been the de minimis users,” Shandon-San Juan Water District Board of Directors president Willy Cunha told The Tribune on Thursday. Farmers are most responsible for dwindling water levels in the basin, so they should be charged the fees — as long as the rates are reasonable, he said. The Shandon-San Juan Water District’s Board of Directors voted 4-0 on March 26 to pass a resolution that opposed charging domestic well owners water extraction fees, water district secretary Stephanie Bertoux said. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune. | Read via Yahoo News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Huge fire at Stockton recycling plant creates toxic mess
“After an overnight battle against a massive fire that broke out late Wednesday at an e-waste recycling storage yard, Stockton firefighters got the blaze under control Thursday morning. But the fire sent a plume of thick black smoke across the city and polluted runoff into storm drains. About 40 firefighters, aided by three of the city’s four aerial ladder trucks, fought the blaze at Zarc Recycling, 2422 S. California St., throughout the night after the initial alarm about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Doolan said. Crews had to contend with burning car batteries, 55-gallon drums of various plastic components and all sorts of smoldering, spent electronics. … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
With Trump serious about shipbuilding, Stockton mayor wants to bring it back — but so do rival cities
“With President Donald Trump vowing to revive America’s shrinking shipbuilding industry, Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi is leading the charge to resurrect what once was one of the city’s most important industries. “This would bring thousands of jobs for our region,” Fugazi said at this week’s City Council meeting. “They will be livable-wage jobs. I definitely think this would be an opportunity for us, considering what we used to be.” Unlike other coastal areas, Stockton has plenty of room in its port to handle the massive footprint that a shipyard would require. And the city has lower-cost housing than many Pacific Coast cities, making it easier to attract would-be shipyard workers. … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
These Central California residents can now access free water well testing
“Rural residents in Fresno, Madera and Merced counties can now benefit from the expansion of a state program that aims to ensure households relying on domestic wells have access to safe drinking water. Patrick Pulupa, executive officer of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, said the program’s expansion means “thousands more families will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing their water is safe, or getting immediate help if it’s not.” … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee. | Read via Yahoo News.
Video: CEMEX’s New mining plan for the San Joaquin River
“GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Christina Rodriguez about the possibility of CEMEX digging a 600-foot hole on the San Joaquin River and mining aggregate with explosive blasting. CEMEX says the river mine is needed to make concrete for construction projects. However, there is pushback from local politicians and environmental groups that want to preserve the river. … ” Watch at GV Wire.
Bill aims to get a bigger slice of state funding to protect south San Joaquin Valley towns from flooding
“Legislation that aims to reduce downstream disasters by funding floodplain restoration projects in Kern, Tulare and Kings counties was introduced March 28 in the California Senate. Author Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) proposes funneling $43 million toward floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration and conservation projects … The funding would come from Proposition 4, the $10 billion Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness and Clean Air Bond Act passed by voters in 2024. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
State orders Chiquita Canyon Landfill to take corrective measures or face fines
“A smoldering chemical reaction brewing deep inside the recently closed Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic now threatens to consume an entire 160-acre canyon of buried waste, endangering a storage area for hazardous liquid waste, according to state officials. The California Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Toxic Substances Control say the situation poses “an imminent and substantial danger” to public health and the environment, and ordered the company to take corrective measures or face fines of up to $70,000 daily. … State regulators worry that damage to the tank farm would cause chemical-laden leachate to spill onto the landfill’s surface and potentially into nearby sources of water. State agencies have ordered Waste Connections to relocate the tank farm to prevent hazardous chemicals from seeping into groundwater or spilling into storm drains that feed into the Santa Clara River. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SCV Water board approves rate hike
“Citing a litany of factors increasing the cost of water delivery in the Santa Clarita Valley, the SCV Water Agency authorized a five-year plan to raise rates, which will help eliminate a growing debt concern for water officials. The new rate plan is expected to go into effect July 1. The water agency’s board of directors voted 8-1, with Kathye Armitage as the lone no vote. Armitage said she appreciated the staff’s diligence and transparency on the rate increase, but would have liked to see more discussion on how the agency could have lowered its expenses. She knew a rate increase was necessary, but felt the process was too focused on the revenue-generation side of the budget. … ” Read more from The Signal.
Method developed to measure street sweeping’s effectiveness
“The SMC has developed a technically robust method for quantifying the effectiveness of routine street sweeping in removing contaminants that would otherwise enter storm drains and contribute to runoff pollution – a study that moves stormwater managers one step closer to being able to understand street sweeping’s capacity to help protect runoff water quality. The novel method, which is described in a newly published technical report, provides the SMC with a feasible path forward for investigating what role street sweeping plays in reducing runoff pollution. Managers also may eventually be able to use the method to generate insights that help optimize how they do routine street sweeping. During the method’s development, which took place over the course of a three-year SMC study, researchers developed a field-deployable instrument for conducting testing, as well as pilot-tested the method at a single site, generating preliminary data suggesting street sweeping may provide a greater benefit for improving runoff water quality than traditionally assumed. … ” Read more from the Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
SAN DIEGO
Ready for rain? How outdated storm drains contributed to San Diego’s $52M in emergency repairs
“The city of San Diego spent $52 million last year on emergency repairs for infrastructure projects such as replacing collapsed storm drains, clearing water channels and repairing sinkholes which arose due to heavy rain. Of the 29 emergency repairs performed across the city last year, 23 were related to stormwater infrastructure and totaled about $45 million, according to a city report. Two years ago, city officials decided to set aside money from the capital improvements budget for an emergency line of funding for storm drains. As the city faces a shortfall of about $250 million in the budget that takes effect July 1, the emergency funds may become even more critical to addressing stormwater needs. … ” Read more from iNewsSource.
City of Imperial Beach divided over changes to a sewage crisis bill
“Changes to a bill that could have paved a path to pay for environmental restoration projects in the Tijuana River Valley have formed a rift among Imperial Beach officials. The City Council signed a letter of unanimous support for the bill in February. But a heated meeting Wednesday night showed that support has fractured, as councilmembers discussed for more than an hour whether to repeal their backing. The discussion will continue at their next meeting. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Steve Padilla, D-Chula Vista, initially proposed allowing the San Diego Association of Governments to use a portion of toll revenue from the future Otay Mesa East Port of Entry to clean up polluted lands in the valley along the U.S.-Mexico border. … ” Read more from iNewsSource.
Mexico to dump millions of gallons of sewage into Tijuana River, US continues to be a dumping ground: Official
“Mexico is slated to dump around 400 million gallons of sewage into the Tijuana River, which will mostly likely flow into the United States, a decades-old problem that has posed environmental repercussions for beaches and communities, officials said. Crews are slated to perform maintenance on the sewer system in Tijuana, which sits across the border from San Diego, which continues to be a dumping ground for Mexico’s pollution, San Diego Supervisor Jim Desmond told Fox News Digital. “Every time there’s maintenance being done on their side of the border, instead of diverting it (sewage) to a treatment plant, it just goes into the river, the gullies and eventually ends up in the U.S., and into the ocean,” he said. … ” Read more from Fox News.
Along the Colorado River …
NOAA cuts could hamper forecasts for haboobs, monsoons and wildfires in Arizona, raising extreme weather risks
“Deep cuts at the nation’s weather agency could put Arizonans at risk by hampering forecasts for haboobs, monsoons, flash flooding and wildfires. One in 10 employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been fired or taken buyouts since President Donald Trump took office. His administration has proposed eliminating another 10% of the workforce, though so far that plan has been stymied in court. NOAA, which includes the National Weather Service, provides forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring. Among other changes, the reductions have forced the agency to scale back its use of weather balloons needed for accurate readings and forecasts. … ” Read more from Cronkite News.
This expert says including social science in Arizona’s water discussions produces better outcomes
“Water is a top-of-mind issue for many Arizonans, between debates over the future of the Colorado River and groundwater and conversations about the possibility of augmenting our water supply. But, Amber Wutich, an anthropologist and ASU professor, says these discussions are not just physical science ones, but social science ones, as well. Wutich is the author of a paper called Water Insecurity is human: why social science must be at the core of water security research and practice, and joined The Show to summarize. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Colorado doesn’t know how much water it has. This CU scientist is kayaking to find out.
“Just when you’d finally convinced yourself your career choice is making a difference, along comes Toby Minear with his work. Minear is a fluvial geomorphologist. That means in his work at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado he studies surface water bodies — rivers, mainly — and measures flows and conditions within them. He also worked with NASA on the Surface Water and Ocean Technology satellite, which measures the height, or surface level, and width of water bodies larger than 10,000 square feet. And when it’s time to check SWOT’s work, he jumps in a boat and takes field measurements of the rivers SWOT has observed. That part of his job has taken him down the Colorado and the South Platte, the Missouri and the Mississippi. He’s also fact checked the North Saskatchewan and the Peace-Athabasca Delta, both in Alberta, Canada. And his work has critical global applications, especially in places like Africa and Greenland which he says use few if any water tracking gages. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
New House Republican proposal seeks to exempt many toxic PFAS from review
“A new Republican plan would exempt many new toxic Pfas or “forever chemicals” from health and safety review, a move criticized by opponents because it would allow the dangerous man-made substances to be used and sold with little effective scrutiny. Two House Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would repeal a 2024 Joe Biden rule that closed the “low volume exemption” loophole for Pfas. The loophole allowed Pfas and chemicals produced in small enough quantities to be sent to the marketplace with virtually no review from federal regulators. But Pfas are so highly toxic that even small amounts are considered dangerous, said Michael Youhana, an attorney with the Earthjustice non-profit that has litigated over the loophole. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
Amid EPA upheaval, states fear loss of strong federal limits on PFAS in drinking water
“With the looming possibility that the Trump administration could reduce federal limits on toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water, public health advocates are warning that people across the country would suffer. Concerns for the future of the federal limits come amid ongoing litigation over the federal limits on six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. A 60-day stay on the litigation granted in February ends Tuesday, after which the Trump administration could seek to make changes to the standards, which were put into place a year ago under the Biden administration. The Biden-era rule requires public water systems to complete initial monitoring for the PFAS chemicals by 2027, and to implement technologies for reducing PFAS in their water by 2029 if levels exceed the limit. … ” Read more from The New Lede.
American farmers and the USDA had finally embraced their role in the climate crisis. Then came the federal funding freeze
“For two decades, farmer John Burk has been working to improve the soil on his farm in Michigan, taking a few extra steps to make it more resilient and productive. His efforts have paid off. “When we have the dry, hot summers or lack of rainfall, our crops can sustain the dry spells better. We don’t have huge yield decreases,” Burk said. “And when it rains and we have the freak storms, like it seems to do so much now, we don’t have the ponding and all the runoff.” An added bonus: He needs less fertilizer, a major operating expense. But Burk, and tens of thousands of farmers across the country like him, have learned that the Trump administration now considers these steps—which include limiting tillage, planting soil-enriching cover crops or installing water chutes to control erosion—“far left climate” activities. The administration has frozen billions of dollars in funding that pay for these activities while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and White House conduct ongoing reviews. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
