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On the calendar today …
- LEG HEARING: Assembly Committee on Natural Resources beginning at 2:30pm. Click here for more information.
In California water news today …
Reclamation says it’s time for a new Delta strategy
“During a Water Association of Kern County meeting on July 11, acting Regional Director for the California-Great Basin region of the Bureau of Reclamation, Adam Nickels, explained that the Bureau’s current initiatives include improving water supply reliability from the Central Valley and State Water Projects and updating regulations like D-1641. “We actually know today that D-1641 and the regulations that are locked into D-1641 that touch on our water rights and limit us from pumping; we know those aren’t working,” Nickels said. “We know those aren’t helping fish, but it is built into regulation.” As a brief overview, Water Decision 1641 was adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in 1999 and revised in 2000 as the implementation plan for the 1995 Bay-Delta Plan, with respect to the operation of projects within the Delta watershed. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Solving the puzzle: How synthesis informs Delta ecosystem management
“Synthesis is central to the Delta Science Program’s mission, as outlined in the Delta Reform Act, which mandates providing unbiased science to guide water and environmental decisions in the Delta. To advance this, the program partnered with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in 2021, offering training in reproducible research and open-source tools. These efforts reflect the program’s dedication to open science and informed decision-making. At the June meeting of the Delta Stewardship Council, Henry DeBey, Deputy Executive Officer for Science at the Delta Stewardship Council, and Maggie Chrisman, Program Manager for the Science Communication and Synthesis Unit, highlighted the importance of synthesis in addressing complex ecological challenges and shared updates on the program’s ongoing efforts to integrate data, foster collaboration, and advance open science principles in the Delta. … ” Continue reading from Maven’s Notebook.
KQED FORUM: Why L.A. is a model for ‘the future of water conservation’
“Water conservation is a constant challenge for Californians, but according to the New York Times’s Michael Kimmelman, there’s one city that’s doing it right: Los Angeles. Kimmelman found that L.A. has consumed less water in total since 1990 even as the city gained millions of residents. We talk with Kimmelman and California water officials about the strategies L.A. is using and what other states can learn from its example. Guests: Michael Kimmelman, architecture critic, New York Times; Liz Crosson, chief sustainability, resiliency and innovation officer, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; and Mark Gold, board member of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.” The show airs at this morning at 10am; audio available at the page afterwards. Listen at KQED.
Survey: Water system consolidations improve water quality, infrastructure
“Nino, the water’s not coming out right; something’s going on with the well.” Those words – from Michael Prado Sr.’s goddaughter – are reflective of longstanding water concerns in Monson, a rural community of about 100 people in Tulare County. “I was one of those people who just used to turn the faucet on and expected the water to come on – I didn’t know where it came from, or what was in it,” said Prado, a retired machine operator. But during 29 years on the Community Services District (CSD) board of Sultana, a town four miles north of Monson, Prado became a self-described “water nerd” who learned about local water systems and the troubles faced by his neighbors. Monson historically has relied on private wells – some of which had high nitrate contamination levels. Then, during the drought of 2014-15, many of the wells ran dry and residents had to rely on bottled water or water tanks filled periodically by truck. That’s when Maria Herrera of Self-Help Enterprises, a community development organization serving the San Joaquin Valley, approached Prado about tying Monson into Sultana’s water system that serves about 1,000 people, and giving Monson representation on the Sultana CSD board. … ” Read more from UC Ag and Natural Resources.
A native California species is rapidly declining, new report shows
“Wildlife officials say the population of a native California species is continuing to rapidly plummet.Dinosaur-like in appearance and existing on Earth for the past 200 million years, white sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America. They can be found all the way from Alaska to Mexico, primarily residing in large waterways like the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and the San Francisco Bay estuary. Historically, the ancient fish could grow larger than 20 feet in length — the size of a standard shipping container — and live for more than 100 years. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
In regional water news and commentary today …
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Understanding groundwater in Butte County
“Building and maintaining a healthy water supply for Butte County happens quite literally from the ground up. Butte County contains a host of waterways, with Lake Oroville to the east, which feeds from and into the Feather River; the Sacramento River, which runs along the western side of the county; and myriad creeks and streams in between, all of which seep into three major groundwater subbasins: Vina, Wyandotte Creek and Butte. Maintaining and planning for water storage and water usage is a sizable task that is overseen not only by the Butte County Department of Water Resource Conservation, but also individual agencies that work in tandem on local water management. Kamie Loeser, director of Butte County’s Water and Resource Conservation Department, said the majority of groundwater within the county is used both for agriculture and by municipalities such as the city of Chico. The water is naturally recharged through waterways such as Butte Creek, which flows through the Vina Subbasin. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
Paradise looks to neighbors for sewer planning ideas
“Just last year, the Paradise Sewer Project seemed to be on a trajectory to finally come to fruition with the help of an outside-the-box plan to bring planning and construction into one clean package. In recent months, however, it became clear that the cost of the project over the multiple-year timeframe would grow far beyond what the town could feasibly pay, pushing the project back significantly. At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, Public Works Director and Town Engineer Marc Mattox provided an update on the project, saying that the committee exploring the proposed sewer system is now looking at communities of similar sizes with sewers to determine a path forward. “In the past month,” he said, “our ad hoc committee — which is comprised of town staff, Mayor (Steve) Crowder, Councilor (Heidi) Lange, representatives from the Paradise Irrigation District, our town manager and our project team — have been really advancing our work to make a recommendation to the Town Council and the community for a revised project for wastewater treatment collection and dispersal.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County officials try to assuage water-shortage fears sparked by Potter Valley Project decommissioning plan
“When it comes to the planned decommissioning of PG&E’s Potter Valley Project ― the hydroelectric power plant and two related dams in Northern California ― there seem to be two schools of thought in Sonoma County. One: Save the dams, at all costs. Protest! Reach out to President Donald Trump! Try anything. Two: Accept the inevitable, at all costs. Prepare! Plan for storage! Try anything. Now, as Pacific Gas & Electric Co. prepares to file its plans by July 29 to the federal government to decommission the project, the rift between those two schools is widening. The chasm was on display during a July 1 town hall hosted by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau at the Finley Community Center in Santa Rosa.“Dams should not be removed,” said Dayna Ghirardelli, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. “There are still many unanswered questions and concerns.” … ” Read more from the Press Democrat.
CENTRAL COAST
Wildlife water system installed at Toro County Park
“A new wildlife water system has been installed at Toro County Park to collect rainwater and support birds and small animals during hot, dry months. The Monterey County Fish and Game Advisory Commission, along with the Parks and Lakes Division, completed the custom-built system known as a “guzzler.” It holds up to 1,100 gallons and only needs six inches of rain to fill. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Water rates are increasing in Oceano
“Water rates in Oceano are set to increase every year for the next five years. For a single-family residence in Oceano, the water rates will increase from $77.69 to $84.90. “When you look at those numbers, it looks kind of like a big number and a big jump, but those are bi-monthly base rates,” said Peter Brown, Oceano Community Services District General Manager. “So if you’re looking for a monthly cost, you cut those numbers in half. It looks like a significant increase, but really, at least in my opinion, the 8 or 9 percent is, you know, pretty much in line with what our expenditures are going to be over the coming year.” … ” Read more from KSBY.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Palmdale: County weighs water plan for development
“The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, acting as the governing body of county Waterworks District No. 40, will consider a recommendation from the county Department of Public Works to approve a water supply assessment for the proposed Falcon Glen project in Palmdale. The 163-acre proposed development at Avenue S and the California Aqueduct consists of 708 residential single-family and medium-density residential lots, and approximately 37.7 acres of park space and open space, according to a letter from Public Works Director Mark Pestrella. The project’s estimated water demand is approximately 535.6 acre-feet per year. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley-Press.
Pasadena seeking public input on Eaton Wash stormwater capture project
“The city of Pasadena has asked the public to complete a survey about the Eaton Wash stormwater capture project. Feedback from the survey will help determine the design of the above ground features of the project. It will create a park space that through previous community feedback is proposed to include a paved pedestrian plaza, demonstration gardens featuring four different plant communities, a community garden, water features, a dog park and a new parking lot and access road. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Beachgoer shares disturbing video of sickening pollution flowing onto popular beach: ‘How is this even allowed?’
“A video of polluted runoff filled with gunk, empty cans, plastic bottles, and even an old bicycle overtaking the shoreline at the end of Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, California, has sparked anger and concern online, posing serious questions about beach safety, wildlife health, and environmental accountability. In the clip posted by TikTok user Chelsea Sawai (@chelseaaudibert), murky water and floating debris illustrate how stormwater drains can turn beloved public beaches into dumping grounds. … ” Continue reading at The Cool Down.
Orange County water agencies prevail in major groundwater rights case, safeguarding water equality for 2.5 million residents
“In a major victory for water justice and regional collaboration, several Orange County water agencies, including Mesa Water District, have successfully concluded a multiyear legal dispute that ensures the continued protection of the Orange County Groundwater Basin (Basin) — the primary source of drinking water for 2.5 million residents. Five Orange County water departments and special districts joined forces as cross-complainants in the case of Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) v. Orange County Water District (OCWD). Mesa Water and fellow cross-complainants have now received payments from IRWD to cover litigation costs. These agencies united to defend the public’s access to a vital water supply and to prevent legal maneuvers that could have unfairly shifted costs and water rights in IRWD’s favor. … ” Continue reading this press release.
SAN DIEGO
University of San Diego students help remove heavy metals from water
“While the product may look strange, Dr. Michel Boudrias is leading a team of students at University of San Diego with what might be the future of ocean cleanup. “It smells like a like a fish market,” undergraduate student Nikki Cardino says. “But like not one that you wanna buy any fish from!” That stench is the smell of success, if you ask the group. After months submerged in Mission Bay or off the coast, the boom turns from bright white to muggy brown, and is filled with microplastics, hydrocarbons, heavy metals like copper and arsenic, and even invasive species. “It’s one of the most effective ways of doing this,” Associate Professor of Environmental and Ocean Sciences at University San Diego Dr. Michel Boudrias says. “This is why the [Los Angeles] port and the marinas are very interested in working with us.” … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Along the Colorado River …
New algae system helps Arizona farmers grow better crops with less water
“Ed Curry is passionate about the green, red and yellow chile peppers he grows on his 3,000-acre farm in Pearce, Arizona, about 90 minutes southeast of Tucson. He’s also passionate about saving water. A new technology Arizona State University is analyzing and promoting has combined his love for spice and conservation. Curry said he cut about 50% of his water usage in the 1990s by going to a drip system. More recently, he estimates he’s cut another 10% through a new soil service. ASU and MyLand, a Phoenix-based soil health company, demonstrated how soil health innovation can drive measurable water conservation at Curry’s farm at an event on May 14. This is achieved by using live, native microalgae to improve soil so that farmers like Curry can achieve greater water efficiency, increased yields and reduced environmental impact. With more than 900,000 acres of irrigated farmland in Arizona, the potential for large-scale impact is significant. “This is a carbon story and a water story because atmospheric carbon is being converted into food, using water as the medium,” said Enrique Vivoni, Fulton Professor of Hydrosystems Engineering in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment and the director of the Center for Hydrologic Innovations. “Our goal is between 7% to 15% water savings to demonstrate the water efficiency gains from better soil health.” … ” Read more from Arizona State University.
In the sweltering southwest, planting solar panels in farmland can help both photovoltaics and crops
““We were getting basil leaves the size of your palm,” University of Arizona researcher Greg Barron-Gafford said, describing some of the benefits he and his team have seen farming under solar panels in the Tucson desert. For 12 years, Barron-Gafford has been investigating agrivoltaics, the integration of solar arrays into working farmland. This practice involves growing crops or other vegetation, such as pollinator-friendly plants, under solar panels, and sometimes grazing livestock in this greenery. Though a relatively new concept, at least 604 agrivoltaic sites have popped up across the United States, according to OpenEI. Researchers like Barron-Gafford think that, in addition to generating carbon-free electricity, agrivoltaics could offer a ray of hope for agriculture in an increasingly hotter and drier Southwest, as the shade created by these systems has been found to decrease irrigation needs and eliminate heat stress on crops. Plus, the cooling effects of growing plants under solar arrays can actually make the panels work better. But challenges remain, including some farmers’ attitudes about the practice and funding difficulties. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Water Education Center will show public CAP’s impact
“On May 1, Central Arizona Project (CAP) and its construction partner Mortenson broke ground on the 32,000-square-foot Water Education Center located near CAP’s headquarters in North Phoenix. Through interactive exhibits and educational programming, the community will have an opportunity to learn how CAP supplies Colorado River water to more than 6 million Arizonans. The facility — expected to be completed in Fall 2026 — will also feature collaborative space for water policy discussions and host Central Arizona Water Conservation District’s (CAWCD) board meetings. “Ultimately, CAP is federal infrastructure, meaning that it’s difficult to bring in the public to show them our operations because of security,” explains Brenda Burman, general manager at CAP, during the groundbreaking. “[The Water Education Center] will allow us to tell our story with a hands-on experience for kids, adults and everyone in between.” … ” Read more from Arizona Big Media.
In national water news today …
Their water taps ran dry when Meta built next door
“After Meta broke ground on a $750 million data center on the edge of Newton County, Ga., the water taps in Beverly and Jeff Morris’s home went dry. The couple’s house, which uses well water, is 1,000 feet from Meta’s new data center. Months after construction began in 2018, the Morris’s dishwasher, ice maker, washing machine and toilet all stopped working, said Beverly Morris, now 71. Within a year, the water pressure had slowed to a trickle. Soon, nothing came out of the bathroom and kitchen taps. Jeff Morris, 67, eventually traced the issues to the buildup of sediment in the water. He said he suspected the cause was Meta’s construction, which could have added sediment to the groundwater and affected their well. The couple replaced most of their appliances in 2019, and then again in 2021 and 2024. Residue now gathers at the bottom of their backyard pool. The taps in one of their two bathrooms still do not work. “It feels like we’re fighting an unwinnable battle that we didn’t sign up for,” Ms. Morris, a retired payroll specialist, said, adding that she and her husband have spent $5,000 on their water problems and cannot afford the $25,000 to replace the well. “I’m scared to drink our own water.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Rivers choose their path based on erosion — a discovery that could transform flood planning and restoration
“Rivers are Earth’s arteries. Water, sediment and nutrients self-organize into diverse, dynamic channels as they journey from the mountains to the sea. Some rivers carve out a single pathway, while others divide into multiple interwoven threads. These channel patterns shape flood risks, erosion hazards and ecosystem services for more than 3 billion people who live along river corridors worldwide. Understanding why some waterways form single channels, while others divide into many threads, has perplexed researchers for over a century. Geographers at UC Santa Barbara mapped the thread dynamics along 84 rivers with 36 years of global satellite imagery to determine what dictates this aspect of river behavior. “We found that rivers will develop multiple channels if they erode their banks faster than they deposit sediment on their opposing banks. This causes a channel to widen and divide over time,” said lead author Austin Chadwick, who conducted this study as a postdoctoral researcher at UCSB. … ” Read more from The Current.
WIFIA program surpasses $10 billion in disbursements
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) has surpassed $10 billion in disbursements to borrowers for water infrastructure projects. American Water Works Association (AWWA) CEO David LaFrance released a statement commemorating the milestone: “At a time when federal programs that support water infrastructure funding are at risk, it is reassuring to know that WIFIA is fulfilling its purpose for the benefit of so many communities nationwide. The more than $10 billion disbursed to spur water infrastructure investment will improve communities today and for future generations through safe and reliable water and wastewater service. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
The future is flowing: Cultivating the next generation of water professionals
“The water sector is fundamental to public health, environmental stewardship, and economic stability. A skilled workforce is crucial for these essential services. However, the sector faces a looming workforce crisis due to an aging demographic and increasing retirements, with about one-third of the workforce eligible to retire in the next decade. Attracting and retaining new talent is also challenging due to competition from other industries offering potentially more attractive compensation and career paths. Furthermore, technological advancements demand a workforce with specialized technical skills. This article explores these challenges and opportunities, examining how major water utilities are proactively addressing these issues and analyzing strategies for cultivating the next generation of water professionals. … ” Read more from Water Online.
Trump is gutting weather science and reducing disaster response
“In an effort to shrink the federal government, President Trump and congressional Republicans have taken steps that are diluting the country’s ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to catastrophic flooding and other extreme weather events, disaster experts say. Staff reductions, budget cuts and other changes made by the administration since January have already created holes at the National Weather Service, which forecasts and warns of dangerous weather. Mr. Trump’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year would close 10 laboratories run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that research the ways a warming planet is changing weather, among other things. That work is essential to more accurately predicting life-threatening hazards. Among the shuttered labs would be one in Miami that sends teams of “hurricane hunters” to fly into storms to collect critical data. The proposed budget would also make major cuts to a federal program that uses river gauges to predict floods. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
The future of weather prediction is here. Maybe.
Weather forecasts, believe it or not, have come a long way. A five-day forecast today is as accurate as a three-day forecast four decades ago. But the 10-day forecast? That’s still a coin flip — or an opportunity if you’re in the weather prediction business. There are two ways to better predict the weather: Measure it more accurately, or describe how it works in more excruciating scientific detail. Enter WindBorne, a start-up in Palo Alto, Calif. When its chief executive, John Dean, was driving a battered Subaru around the Bay Area a few years ago, using tanks of helium to launch weather balloons in front of potential investors, the company’s plan was to do the first thing. Its balloons fly longer than most, collecting more measurements of temperature, humidity and other indicators in the upper atmosphere to create a more precise picture. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Policy success: Fees and bans on plastic bags reduce beach trash
“Shoppers may use a plastic bag for only a few minutes before tossing it in the trash. Inefficient waste disposal, however, may allow that bag to find its way into streams and, ultimately, coastal ecosystems. There, plastic pollution can imperil marine plants and animals as well as the economic value of beachfront businesses. “Plastic bags are designed to be single use. They’re designed to be lightweight. Even if we’re trying to properly manage them, they just get into the environment more easily than other plastics,” said Erin Murphy, ocean plastics science and research manager at the Ocean Conservancy. While many states and municipalities have plastic bag bans or require fees for customers who want a bag, there is no national policy that aims to reduce the number of plastic bags used in the United States. … ” Read more from EOS.
The oceans may contain much, much more plastic than previously thought
“In the oceans, the most widespread type of plastic pollution may be the kind you can’t see. A new study published Wednesday in the journal Nature estimates that the North Atlantic Ocean alone contains 27 million metric tons of nanoplastic — plastic particles 100 times smaller than the width of a human hair. That figure is 10 times higher than previous estimates of plastic pollution of all sizes across all the world’s oceans, according to the study’s authors. The research represents one of the first attempts to quantify marine nanoplastic pollution; previous efforts were constrained by limitations in detection technology. The study suggests that the mass of nanoplastics in the North Atlantic is greater than that of their much larger counterparts, microplastics and macroplastics. Microplastics range in width between 0.001 millimeters and 5 millimeters, making them up to 5 million times bigger than nanoplastics. Macroplastics are even larger. … ” Read more from Grist.
