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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Delta Conveyance Project water right hearing beginning at 9am. The State Water Resources Control Board Administrative Hearings Office will hold a Public Hearing on the pending Petitions for Change of Water Right Permits for the Delta Conveyance Project. Interested members of the public who would like to watch this hearing without participating may do so through the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel at: bit.ly/aho-youtube. Click here for the meeting notice.
In California water news today …
Kern County supervisor predicts “death of SGMA” after groundwater bill is tabled
“A pair of bills that arose out of the ongoing fight over groundwater in eastern Kern County’s desert have come to very different conclusions – one awaiting the Governor’s signature and the other tabled indefinitely. Both bills address a process known as groundwater adjudication, in which a judge decides how much water is available in a basin and then assigns pumping rights to various users. These cases can go on for up to 10 years as courts sift through rights going back more than 100 years and try to find and engage with every pumper in the disputed region. Assembly Bill 1466, placed on Gov. Newsom’s desk Sept. 23, attempts to alleviate some of that leg work by having groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) provide a report of all pumpers to the court. A companion bill, Assembly Bill 1413 was “ordered to the inactive file” on Sept. 9. That bill would have required judges to use groundwater amounts – known as “sustainable yield” – established by GSAs rather than litigate that issue independently. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SEE ALSO: Final court decision on Navy water rights at China Lake threatens regional water stability and national security, press release from Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority
From Fox Canyon to Mid-Kaweah: Insights into groundwater trading
“The August meeting of the California Water Commission featured a panel discussion on groundwater trading, which has emerged as a promising tool to help basins achieve sustainability while mitigating the economic impacts of reduced water use. However, designing and implementing effective groundwater markets is a complex process that requires careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and robust accountability systems. From the lessons learned in Fox Canyon and Mid-Kaweah to the development of an interagency workplan and state-supported tools, the discussion highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of groundwater trading. In early 2021, the California Water Commission was tasked by state agencies to implement Action 3.6 of the water resiliency portfolio. This initiative aimed to enable GSAs to trade water within basins and promote groundwater markets, while protecting natural resources, small and medium-sized farms, and disadvantaged communities’ water supply and quality. The Commission hosted public events to gather input, culminating in the 2022 release of a white paper outlining next steps for state involvement in groundwater trading programs. … ” Read more at Maven’s Notebook.
Environmental restoration gets a boost in California
“Ecosystem restoration is an effective way to improve conditions for recreation, wildlife, and more. Yet permitting—while necessary for ensuring projects are well designed and beneficial—has long slowed restoration projects across California. Is that now shifting? We spoke with the State Water Board’s Paul Hann and Sustainable Conservation’s Erika Lovejoy about a new general order that’s changing the game. Q: Tell us about the State Water Board’s Statewide Restoration General Order. What is it, and what does it do? Paul Hann: First, the State Water Board is mandated to protect beneficial uses of water—that is, uses of water necessary for the survival or wellbeing of people, plants, and wildlife. When we issue a permit for a project, we first make sure it protects our water quality objectives. Unfortunately, it can take a long time to review projects and issue individual permits for each one. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
California’s rainy season has started. Here’s what to expect
“California’s rainy season is officially underway, and the first week of October will keep the pattern active. It’s a reminder that October often plays as a transition month, and this year looks no different. Through the first weekend of the month, the West Coast will sit under the influence of a broad trough of low pressure. For California, that means continued cooler-than-normal temperatures with clouds along the coast. Widespread rain is unlikely, but the setup favors scattered showers in the coastal ranges and the Sierra Nevada. Southern California will remain mostly dry. Around Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 11–13), the unsettled stretch looks to pause. A ridge of high pressure should build offshore, suppressing rain chances and delivering a spell of warmer, drier days. Interior valleys could see highs climb back into the 80s, while the coast deals with a compressed marine layer. It’s welcome holiday weekend weather, but the pattern could raise fire-weather concerns. Fuels will be dampened somewhat by early October rains, but not enough to end fire season, especially in Southern California. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
18 months with PFAS: Lessons from a California wastewater pilot study
“In this interview from WEFTEC 2025, Bob Crossen speaks with Conner Murray, Principal Engineer at Hazen and Sawyer, about an 18-month pilot study conducted in Riverside, California, with Western Municipal Water District. The study focused on PFAS removal in tertiary wastewater effluent and explored a range of treatment strategies to meet stringent regulatory targets. Murray shares insights into the challenges of high PFAS concentrations, organic matter interference, and media fouling—issues that wastewater utilities across the country may soon face. The conversation highlights the importance of pretreatment, the limitations of traditional adsorption methods, and the need for tailored solutions in wastewater applications.” Watch video, read highlights from Wastewater Digest.
California Water Action Collaborative celebrates 10 years of impact
“In 2014, California was two years into a historic drought. News coverage sounded the alarm of shrinking reservoirs, thirsty farms, wildfires, salmon die-offs, and communities losing access to safe drinking water. California’s Governor declared a statewide emergency, imploring all Californians to conserve however they could. At the height of this drought, in May 2014, the Pacific Institute hosted a CEO Water Mandate meeting in Los Angeles, convening corporations and NGOs to discuss ways to collaborate to address water challenges. In the context of the drought, seeing brown lawns and “Call to report water waste” signs outside of their hotel, there was a palpable sense of urgency among attendees across sectors. The state was moving forward with passing its first ever groundwater management law, which would reshape water management especially in agricultural areas. … ” Read more from the Pacific Institute.
USGBC California launches architectural design challenge to shape the future of water use at home
“Water is one of the world’s most precious and finite resources—critical to sustaining life, agriculture, and industry. Yet residential water consumption remains a significant contributor to global water stress. The U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA) has announced the launch of “Shaping the Future of Water Use at Home,” a global architectural design challenge (ADC) that invites architects, engineers, designers, and students to reimagine residential design through innovative, water-efficient living spaces, accelerating the shift toward a water-positive future. Participants will propose market-ready, scalable solutions that promote water-efficient living by optimizing water use, reducing energy demand, maintaining comfort and convenience, and aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensuring access to water and sanitation for all. … ” Read more from The Architect’s Newspaper.
An innovator in pest control has her sights on invasive species
“After 35 years of working in organic pest control, serial entrepreneur Pam Marrone is on a new mission to eradicate invasive species using alternatives to terrible chemicals. In particular, she’s on a quest for what she calls “the holy grail” – an eco-friendly herbicide that will zap out non-native weeds. “We have the team that can really execute it,” says Marrone, whose 2-year-old startup, Invasive Species Corp., known as ISC, is already helping the state of California find a sustainable way to deal with golden mussels, which clog waterways and damage water treatment facilities. “There’s nobody doing exactly what we’re doing with invasive species.” But it’s the product that specifically knocks out invasive weeds without damaging the environment that has the potential to be a blockbuster, Marrone says, especially as weeds have evolved to tolerate even harsh chemicals. In the U.S. alone, invasive weeds are responsible for over $30 billion in damages each year and cover 100 million acres, about the size of California. More startups are now in a hot race to develop bioherbicides – derived from natural materials, such as bacteria or fungi – but not many have made it to market, as the process is expensive and time-consuming. … ” Read more from The Story Exchange.
Tracking microplastics from sea to body
“On the edge of California’s Monterey Bay, ecologist Matthew Savoca and a team of volunteers sift through sand and seawater for microplastics, one of the planet’s most pervasive forms of pollution. Originating in everyday items, these bits of plastic smaller than a sesame seed turn up just about everywhere researchers have looked – including in our own bodies and in habitats from alpine mountains to the deep ocean. Along the high-tide line of Carmel River State Beach, Savoca’s team finds them washed up by the bay’s lapping waves. “We know there are hundreds of trillions of microplastic particles in the world,” said Savoca, a research scientist at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s Hopkins Marine Station, about eight miles north of the field site. But questions about how microplastics disperse, for how long, and where they come to rest remain unresolved. Savoca is among a growing cadre of researchers at Stanford and beyond – from Earth system scientists, marine biologists, and oceanographers to physicians and engineers – who are working to answer them. “Knowing where microplastics end up is vital to understand the risk they pose to species and the ecosystem at large,” Savoca said. … ” Read more from Stanford News.
HydroGNSS: Europe’s ‘water spy’ satellites land in California for climate mission
“ESA’s HydroGNSS satellites have touched down in California, marking the final stage before launch of a mission that promises fresh insights into how water moves across our planet. Scientists warn that shifts in the global water cycle are already affecting communities worldwide. To better understand these changes, the European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing HydroGNSS, the first of its new “Scout” missions designed to be small, agile, and rapidly developed. HydroGNSS will study four vital hydrological indicators: soil moisture, wetlands and inundation, seasonal freeze and thaw, and the amount of biomass stored above ground. These are among the “Essential Climate Variables” defined by the Global Climate Observing System, which provide the hard evidence needed to assess environmental risks. … ” Read more from Orbital Today.
Engaging audiences in water science and policy through art
“Engaging audiences at the nexus of art and science can produce results that are more profound and surprising than expected. As both an artist and a scientist I’ve had several opportunities in recent years to work with local arts organizations on environment-themed art shows in Los Angeles — tackling topics such as climate change, shade equity, and water. These opportunities were a chance to engage audiences in both the problem and solutions sides of topics that can often feel abstract, overwhelming, and intractable. The more I got into it, the more I felt that this type of engagement is a great way to engage audiences in an era where the sheer volume of information is drowning us in a sea of content and confusion. In an age of information overload, events and exhibitions that merge art and science can cut through the noise. Science provides the evidence, art delivers the emotional punch, and audiences close the loop — they walk away with new insights, shifted perspectives, or sometimes even a spark to act. At the intersection of art and science, we see Aristotle’s artistic proofs in action: logos (science) and pathos (art) come together to point to ethos (the viewer or participant’s interpretation). … ” Read more from UCANR.
‘Protecting the lifeblood of our people’; Klamath tributary bill signed into law
“Friday, a bill was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom that would keep emergency flow regulations in place for two Klamath tributaries. Supporters hailed the new law as essential for protecting salmon habitat and tribal rights. The Scott and Shasta rivers, major Klamath tributaries, have been under emergency drought regulations for years. Siskiyou County farmers, who pushed against the bill through lobbying associations, were required to limit water take to keep minimum flows in place after fish populations plummeted during a drought from 2020 to 2023. The State Water Board has continued reissuing emergency regulations in light of failing fish populations — but these were contingent on an emergency drought declaration. North Coast Assemblymember Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) authored AB 263 as his first bill to keep the regulations in place by law, until permanent rules are developed. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
SEE ALSO: NEW LAW ALERT: Newsom Signs Bill to Protect Salmon Populations in the Klamath River Watershed, from the Lost Coast Outpost
Scientists successfully recreate wildfire-induced thunderstorms in earth system models for the first time
“On September 5, 2020, California’s Creek Fire grew so severe that it began producing it’s own weather system. The fire’s extreme heat produced an explosive thunderhead that spewed lightning strikes and further fanned the roaring flames, making containment elusive and endangering the lives of firefighters on the ground. These wildfire-born storms have become a growing part of fire seasons across the West, with lasting impacts on air quality, weather, and climate. Until now, scientists have struggled to replicate them in Earth system models, hindering our ability to predict their occurrence and understand their impacts on the global climate. Now, a new study provides a breakthrough by developing a novel wildfire-Earth system modeling framework. The research, published September 25th in Geophysical Research Letters, represents the first successful simulation of these wildfire-induced storms, known as pyrocumulonimbus clouds, within an Earth system model. … ” Read more from Desert Research Institute.
A world on fire is a water risk
“The world is awash in flames. Nearly 22 million acres in Canada have burned this year, the second highest annual total for the country in the last four decades. The European Union is experiencing its worst fire year in the last two decades. Much of the damage has occurred in Portugal, where three times more acres have burned than average. In July, large fires cut through Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. Half the island of Kythira burned. Earlier this year, the Eaton and Palisades fires blitzed Los Angeles County, destroying 16,246 structures and killing 31 people. Not all the world’s fire hotspots had a terrible year – Australia was comparatively calm in 2024-25. But the global trend is unmistakable and worrisome. Due to a warming planet, land management decisions, and building in hazardous places, the risk equation has changed. Fires are growing faster, burning hotter, and doing more damage to ecosystems and infrastructure. … All the burning and scorching is also turning out to be ruinous for water systems, both natural and man-made. Water puts out fire, but increasingly water is threatened by flame. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Salmon reach new milestone after California’s massive dam removal
“A year after the celebrated removal of four dams on the Klamath River, salmon have etched a new milestone in their push into once-inaccessible waters in California and Oregon. Oregon wildlife officials last week captured video of a chinook salmon passing the first of two dams that still remain on the river above the sites of the former dams. Those remaining dams continue to pose obstacles for fish. The salmon’s ascent up a fish ladder at southern Oregon’s Keno Dam marks the farthest point upriver that salmon have been documented since the lower dams were removed, and it suggests that Keno Dam may be less of a problem than many had thought. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Illegal dredging operations discovered at several California waterways
“Five individuals have been caught illegally mining along several California waterways, state officials announced. According to a Sept. 26 news release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the citations began in August of last year, when authorities found someone operating a suction dredge — a powerful tool that sucks materials out of underwater cracks and crevices — on the Salmon River near Cecilville, an unincorporated community in Siskiyou County. After officers confronted them, the person admitted to using it to search for gold and other minerals as part of an ongoing “partnership,” officials said. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Taylor Creek tour amazes Fish and Wildlife Commission
“Last Wednesday, the El Dorado County Fish and Wildlife Commission took a tour of Taylor Creek. While the Kokanee salmon aren’t spawning yet, the Rainbow Trail and stream profile center left a positive impression on the members. District 5 member Leona Allen, who volunteers at the Taylor Creek site, was happy to show the collaborative effort of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), along with the Great Basin Institute in preserving the area and providing education to visitors. Several members of the commission are fishing enthusiasts and enjoyed hearing about the different species in the area and their effect on the waterways. Longtime visitors to the site know about the beaver dams throughout, which expand the wetland size and filter the sediment. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
BAY AREA
Novato adopts 5-year plan on climate goals
“The Novato City Council has adopted the 2030 climate plan, a roadmap to lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The plan largely focuses on waste reduction and the electrification of vehicles and buildings. Novato’s goal is to reduce emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 85% below 1990 levels by 2045. City leaders hope to reach carbon neutrality in 2045. The 1990 emissions level is estimated to be more than 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. “The council should note that as of 2023, our emission inventory shows that we’re already at 22% below those 1990 levels, so we’re well on our way,” Assistant City Manager Bill Rose said. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Half a billion dollars for a sinking California highway? Gavin Newsom may OK it
“Gov. Gavin Newsom may greenlight a half-billion-dollar effort to widen a North Bay highway that Caltrans has acknowledged is sinking under its own weight. The plan before Newsom would raise low-lying parts of Highway 37 no more than 8 inches. A document from a 2011 meeting shows that a Caltrans official told attendees that the corridor needed to be raised at least 6 to 7 feet to accommodate sea level rise. By 2016, the consensus was that the highway needed to be raised 10 feet. Assemblymember Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City, has championed the plan to add lanes to Highway 37 as it arcs through a marsh between Solano and Sonoma counties. Each side will have a general-purpose toll lane and a carpool lane. Wilson has said this expansion will ease traffic for her constituents. Her bill — AB 697, which would streamline construction in the wetland habitat — sailed through the Assembly and the Senate unanimously. It is now on Newsom’s signature. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
4 Bay Area beaches ranked among the dirtiest in California
“Four Bay Area beaches are among 10 of the dirtiest in California, displaying high levels of bacteria and runoff pollution, a new report shows. Heal the Bay, an environmental organization committed to protecting coastal waters and watersheds, released its Beach Report Card for 2024 and 2025 earlier this month, highlighting water quality across 523 beaches in California. The Bay Area county beach with the worst water quality on the list is Marin’s Chicken Ranch Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore, which appeared on the list for the first time in the No. 4 spot. The beach had “consistently high bacteria levels” throughout the year largely due to runoff from nearby drainage systems. Because of the health hazards, a wetland project run by the Tomales Bay Watershed Council Foundation in partnership with Marin County Parks is in the works to improve water quality. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Commentary: Building a safer, stronger Anderson Dam for future generations
Valley Water Director John L. Varela writes, “When I think about Anderson Dam, I think about what it means for the people of Santa Clara County. It is not just a structure holding water, it is a lifeline for our families, businesses, farms and our future. That’s why the seismic retrofit of Anderson Dam is Valley Water’s top priority. One of the most exciting improvements is the addition of a labyrinth weir. This may sound technical, but the idea is simple: a zigzag-shaped wall that helps water flow more safely and efficiently from the reservoir into the North Channel of Coyote Creek. By folding the weir into a zigzag pattern, engineers increase its length without widening the creek. This allows more water to pass at lower levels, which reduces erosion, improves habitat and most importantly, helps protect nearby communities during major storms. In short, this new weir will make Anderson Reservoir safer and more resilient for decades to come. … ” Read more from the Morgan Hill Times.
San Mateo: Wastewater treatment upgrades, regulations mean higher costs
“Many Belmont residents could see treatment facility rates increase, as the city’s share of capital costs to Silicon Valley Clean Water are growing due to much-needed upgrades and new regulations. SVCW handles the treatment and disposal of wastewater in several Peninsula cities, including Belmont, Redwood City and San Carlos, serving a total of about 220,000 people. The treatment plant, located in Redwood Shores and serving more than 220,000 people, was commissioned in 1981, making much of it over 40 years old. The SVCW has also had to update much of its pipe and infrastructure that transport waste to the plant. … ” Read more from the Daily Journal.
Why you might notice empty percolation ponds this fall in South San José
“If you’ve walked, biked, or jogged along the Guadalupe Creek Trail adjacent to Coleman Road, you’ve likely noticed a collection of percolation ponds west of the path. These ponds have been full for months, but starting Sept. 29, you may see them temporarily empty. This short pause will allow Valley Water crews to perform routine maintenance at Los Capitancillos Ponds, a system of 11 recharge ponds that replenish our groundwater supply. Crews will prune trees, clear dead branches, and remove overgrown vegetation to keep the ponds working efficiently, allowing water to seep through the sandy soil and recharge the aquifers beneath us. The Guadalupe Creek Trail will remain open, but please keep a safe distance from crews while they work. … ” Read more from Valley Water News.
Raids target illegal cannabis grows in Bay Area, other counties over environmental damage
“California wildlife officers raided two illegal cannabis grow sites in the Bay Area this summer as part of a wider crackdown on environmentally destructive operations tied to criminal organizations, state officials said. In a statement Tuesday last week, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said its Marijuana Enforcement Team dismantled grows in San Mateo County and supported another raid in Santa Cruz County. Operatives reportedly eradicated thousands of cannabis plants hidden in watersheds and sensitive habitats, part of six operations spanning five counties. Statewide, the raids in July and August uncovered 21,000 plants that would have consumed nearly 9.5 million gallons of water during their growing cycles, the CDFW said. Teams also seized two firearms, destroyed more than 150 pounds of processed cannabis, and removed highly toxic pesticides banned in the U.S. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
CENTRAL COAST
New study reveals adaptation scenarios at Seacliff, New Brighton state beaches
“It’s well-known by now that Santa Cruz County’s coastline is vulnerable to climate change-fueled conditions of high waters and heavy storms. Look no further than the winter of 2022-23 at Seacliff and New Brighton state beaches for a glimpse of what has experts concerned. These two beloved beachside destinations, in fact, have been the subject of a yearslong study that identified extreme weather vulnerabilities as well as what adaptation strategies can be implemented to shore up public access for the long term. And for the first time, recommended strategies were unveiled to the public earlier this month along with options to relocate some services so the parks can be enjoyed for generations to come. More than 300 community members attended a hybrid meeting at Cabrillo College Sept. 11 to unpack the Recovery and Resilience at Seacliff and New Brighton State Beaches study produced by California State Parks in collaboration with local operating partner Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and Parks California. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
SGMA plan approved but local farmers face uncertain future
“Kern County leads the nation in agriculture. With the recent SGMA ruling avoiding probation, I wanted to know if it was good news or bad news for local farmers. Recently, the State Water Board finally accepted a plan by Kern water managers that complies with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Its goal is to halt groundwater overdraft—the condition of withdrawing water faster than it can be replenished. Now, I wanted to learn what this means for local farmers in Kern County—what’s the benefit, how will it impact the growth of the agriculture industry, and what comes next. … ” Read more from Channel 23.
Golden Hills, Bozenich Family Trust poised to settle water rights case
“The Golden Hills Community Service District and the Bozenich Family Trust appear poised to enter a settlement in a dispute over 55 acre-feet of Tehachapi Basin water rights that the two entities have been in court over for more than a year. It is a case in which the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District is also involved. At a meeting of the TCCWD Board of Directors last week, a public hearing was held to to allow members of the public, including Tehachapi Basin water rights holders, the opportunity to present any evidence, objections or arguments regarding conflicting claims to base water rights and to consider the settlement’s proposed transfer by quitclaim of 55 acre-feet of base water rights from the Bozenich Family Trust to the Golden Hills CSD. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
EASTERN SIERRA
Final court decision on Navy water rights at China Lake threatens regional water stability and national security
“The consequences of the California Superior Court’s final ruling in the Phase One trial of the Indian Wells Valley groundwater adjudication threatens regional stability and national security, according to the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority after several conversations with impacted parties and federal policymakers. The final statement of decision was issued September 15, 2025, and now sets the U.S. Navy’s federal reserved water right at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake at just 2,008 acre-feet per year (AFY), a fraction of the Navy’s previous reserved water right of 6,783 AFY. The ruling will have long-lasting negative impacts on the residents and businesses of Ridgecrest and Kern County. While the Navy’s current on-site water use aligns closely with the court’s figure, the decision failed to account for the broader, mission-critical needs of the military installation. Specifically, the federal reserved water right was established by the Navy to ensure the availability of groundwater for off-base personnel, contractors, and dependents who live in the City of Ridgecrest and surrounding communities and make up more than 85% of the installation’s workforce. … ” Read more from the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Around 400 feet of coastal bluff in Rancho Palos Verdes plummets toward the ocean
“Rancho Palos Verdes officials say 400 feet of coastal bluff that fell toward the ocean on Saturday night is not related to the land movement that’s been ripping part of the city apart for years. The bluff dropped approximately 60 feet toward the ocean. But Megan Barnes, a spokesperson for the city, told LAist there was no damage to public property, no injuries and no structural damage to the four homes affected. There is significant soil damage to their backyards, though. The cause of the incident on Marguerite Drive is still being investigated, she added. … ” Read more from the LAist.
SEE ALSO: Mini-landslide rattles nerves in Rancho Palos Verdes, from the LA Times
Groundbreaking PFAS treatment plant in Orange County strengthens safe water supply
“The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) commemorated the completion and operation of a new treatment system that removes PFAS from local groundwater. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the milestone and highlighted the agencies’ partnership to proactively protect water quality and public health. The facility in Orange uses ion exchange technology to remove PFAS from groundwater pumped from Orange Park Acres Well Number 1 (OPA-1). The system can purify up to 3,200 gallons of water per minute, providing enough clean drinking water to serve about 14,000 households in IRWD’s service area. “Bringing the well back online strengthens our local water supply,” IRWD President Doug Reinhart said. “This investment reflects IRWD’s dedication to delivering safe and reliable water to our customers.” … ” Read more from Smart Water Magazine.
SAN DIEGO
Big San Diego water rate hikes are ‘crucial,’ budget experts warn ahead of vote
“As San Diego council members prepare to vote on major water and sewer rate hikes, the city’s independent budget analyst warns that higher rates are all but unavoidable in order to keep the Public Utilities Department afloat — and that not raising rates would hurt customers in other ways. The City Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday on a proposal that could raise water rates for San Diego customers by more than 60% and sewer rates by more than 30% over the next four years. City officials say the proposed increases would help cover the rising costs for workers, imported water, chemicals, energy, construction projects and other priorities. “In the current environment of declining water sales and wastewater flows which generate revenue for the systems, this inevitably means increasing rates,” wrote IBA analyst Jordan More in the report released Friday. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Opinion of a Water Authority board member: City should ‘pause’ Phase 2 of Pure Water
Jim Madaffer, San Diego County Water Authority board member, writes, “The San Diego City Council is poised to decide on significant and needed water rate increases. The City Council – and ratepayers deserve the truth, not a blame game. City staff have been quick to point the finger at the San Diego County Water Authority, while portraying the City’s multibillion-dollar Pure Water project as a cost-saving alternative. That narrative may make for convenient headlines, but it misrepresents the facts and risks misleading ratepayers about the true drivers of their bills. The reality is Pure Water San Diego is first and foremost a wastewater compliance project. The city is legally required under the federal Clean Water Act to reduce discharges at the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant. Absent Pure Water, San Diego would have had to spend billions upgrading Point Loma to secondary treatment standards. Pure Water was designed as a workaround: divert wastewater, clean it to potable standards, and avoid the cost of ocean discharge upgrades. The water produced is valuable, but it is secondary to the project’s true purpose. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
October marks the start of the new water year. Here’s what forecasters are looking out for on the Colorado River
“October 1 marks the start of Water Year 2026. Hydrologists and water experts use October as the start of the water year, especially in the Western United States, when the majority of precipitation shifts from rain to mountain snow, and snowpack begins accumulating. “Flows on rivers are typically near their lowest of the year by the time you get to the beginning of the water year,” said Seth Arens, a research scientist with the Western Water Assessment. Arens, who is based at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, said that the upcoming water year will be a crucial one for the West, both in terms of the climate, and politically, as water negotiators from the seven Colorado River Basin states attempt to work out new operating guidelines for the river. “What I would say is, we haven’t been forced to adapt quite yet, is the short answer,” he said. “But those things are coming to a head extremely rapidly.” … ” Read more from Aspen Public Radio.
Farm conservation is an economical path to save Colorado River water
“The most cost-effective way to conserve the dwindling waters of the Colorado River may not come from building new reservoirs, canals, or wells, but from changing how water is used on farms that consume most of it. That’s the conclusion of a comprehensive study by UC Riverside’s School of Public Policy, conducted with the Utah Rivers Council. Led by UCR graduate student Paloma Avila, the study examined 462 federally funded Colorado River conservation and supply projects, totaling about $1 billion (in 2023 constant dollars) between 2004 and 2024, using available spending data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. It found that agricultural conservation programs saved water as low as $69.89 per acre-foot, while new supply efforts—such as reservoirs, wells, and wastewater treatment facilities—cost more than $2,000 per acre-foot on average. In water conservation, an acre-foot is a measure of the amount of water required to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot, or approximately 325,851 gallons. “It’s important to understand where investments in conservation are being made across the Colorado River Basin and to evaluate their effectiveness,” Avila said. … ” Read more from UC Riverside.
Separating climate and policy uncertainties in Colorado River management
“The Colorado River has long been a lifeline for millions of people and vast ecosystems across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Stretching over 1,400 miles, this river sustains agriculture, urban areas, and native habitats in a region notorious for its arid climate. However, with changing climatic conditions and evolving political landscapes, the future of water management in the Colorado River basin is shrouded in uncertainty. Recent research led by Wang, Bass, Hall, and their colleagues provides a critical dissection of the intertwined uncertainties rooted in climate variability and policy decisions that will influence the river’s operational strategies beyond 2026. … ” Read more from Bioengineer.
Audio: Arizona cities are taking different approaches to regulate large water users like data centers
“A number of Arizona cities have adopted rules restricting water deliveries to users who use a lot of water. Many of these cities have done this recently — including Tucson this summer — but Chandler approved its ordinance a decade ago. The notion of large water users is often thought to be targeted at data centers, which are top of mind for many Arizonans at the moment. But they can also include places like golf courses and some manufacturing facilities. A new study looks at the kinds of rules cities have imposed, and it found that cities have, by and large, taken different approaches. Sarah Porter is director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy. She joined The Show to talk more about what the research shows. … ” Listen to readio show or read transcript from KJZZ.
Arizona homebuilders challenge housing moratorium in areas with dwindling groundwater
“An Arizona homebuilders organization, with an assist from the Goldwater Institute, is challenging a state agency’s moratorium on new home construction in parts of the Valley with dwindling groundwater supplies. Models released by the Arizona Department of Water Resources last year found that groundwater levels are too low in the Valley to issue certificates of assured water supply — a necessary requirement for prospective homebuilders in areas outside the service of designated water providers. That largely affects Queen Creek, Goodyear and Buckeye. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
In national water news today …
While vacating drinking water standards for some PFAS, the EPA retains other Biden-Era PFAS regulations
“On Sept. 11, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in a court filing that it was moving to partially vacate its National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. (Am. Water Works Assn. and Assn. of Metro. Water Agencies v. EPA et al., D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Case No. 24-1188). As we previously explained, this rule set maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, which, if left in place, would lead to new monitoring, reporting, and treatment requirements for public water systems. … ” Read more from Hanson Bridgett.
Trump administration is on track to cut 1 in 3 EPA staffers by the end of 2025, slashing agency’s ability to keep pollution out of air and water
“As Congress faces a Sept. 30, 2025, deadline to fund the federal government, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has put the EPA on the chopping block. But even before Congress decides about the administration’s recommendations to slash its staff, the EPA’s political leaders have made even more significant cuts to the agency’s workforce. And a look at past efforts to cut EPA staff shows how rapidly those changes can affect Americans’ health and the environment. Using publicly available government databases and a collection of in-depth interviews with current and former EPA employees, the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, a group of volunteer academics that we are a part of, has begun to put some numbers behind what many have suspected. Zeldin’s cuts have diminished the EPA’s staffing levels, even before Congress has had a chance to weigh in, affecting the environment, public health and government transparency. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
A.I. is on the rise, and so is the environmental impact of the data centers that drive it
“Gregory Pirio says he never would have moved to his townhome in Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County had he known that the area would soon be at the epicenter of a data center boom. Pirio—who works as the director of the Extractive Industry and Human Development Center at the Institute of World Affairs—moved to the county, just about an hour’s drive outside of Washington, D.C. 14 years ago. Back then, he recalls the place being filled with forested areas and farmland, with the occasional sounds of planes flying in from Dulles. “It was just really beautiful, and now it has this very industrial feel across it,” he says, adding that one can now drive for miles and just see data centers. … ” Read more from Smithsonian.
