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State Considers New Drought Rules As Conservation Ebbs

/in /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Joshua Emerson Smith Quoted: Jeff Stephenson

As California faces the daunting prospect of its sixth straight year of drought, regulators are preparing to roll out the state’s first-ever permanent “water budgets” aimed at slashing consumption on a district-by-district basis.The idea is to determine each water district’s allowable supply by establishing customized targets for indoor use and outdoor landscaping, along with adjustments for weather differences in various parts of the state and between coastal versus inland communities.

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Is La Niña On The Way?

/in /by /Sonoma Valley Sun

Last year’s El Niño turned out to have less impact on California than expected — the forecast for much higher rainfall did not come to pass, though precipitation totals achieved nearly normal levels and reservoirs in Northern California refilled. Now we are entering a period climate scientists call La Niña. El Niño is characterized by higher than normal temperatures in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, the effects of which change weather patterns. La Niña, which means The ‘little girl’ in Spanish, is the opposite, the anti-El Niño.

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BLOG: Are Farmers, San Francisco Up The Same River?

/in /by /Western Farm Press (Fresno)by Todd Fitchette

Rather than call out the hypocrisy of San Francisco’s complaint that losing nearly half of its Tuolumne River water to the State Water Board and environmental activists, let’s see these concerns as a “glass half-full” opportunity. According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s opinion page, the city/county’s public utilities commission is concerned about losing much of its water to a state water grab with strong concerns rippling across the state.

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Southland Water Supplies Increase Despite Drought

/in /by /Los Angeles Wave

The Southland is well-positioned to weather a sixth year of drought, Metropolitan Water District officials said Oct. 10, but they warned that consumers and business still need to do their share to conserve. “The reality is that California is still in a drought. We’re just not in a state of emergency,” MWD board Chairman Randy Record said. “Heading into 2017, we’re hoping to build on the supply momentum created by Southern California’s ongoing water-saving efforts and improved storage conditions this year.”

 

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Monster Rainstorms Could Bring Flooding And Huge Waves In Northern California

/in /by /Los Angeles Timesby Associated Press

A second storm fueled in part by a typhoon hit California’s border with Oregon on Saturday with heavy rain and gusty winds as it made its way south. After an overnight lull, rain returned to Eureka and nearby cities, where winds at 40 mph and gusts up to 70 mph were recorded in the highest points. Officials in Del Norte and Humboldt counties provided sand and sandbags for residents to protect against flooding, and the Coast Guard warned of swells up to 25 feet and urged people to avoid low-lying beaches and other coastal areas.

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OPINION: Was Jerry Brown Kidding, Or Is He Worried About Legacy Projects?

/in /by /The Sacramento Bee and The Fresno Beeby Dan Walters

Jerry Brown and his predecessor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, this month jointly celebrated the 10th anniversary of California’s war against greenhouse gas emissions. Brown pointed out that Schwarzenegger not only signed the 2006 bill, but also championed two immense public works projects that Brown has adopted as his own. “Arnold, thanks for being for climate change, cap and trade, the tunnels project, high-speed rail and all the other unpopular issues I’m saddled with,” Brown kidded Schwarzenegger.

 

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BUSD Taking Advantage Of New Irrigation Controllers

/in /by /The Fallbrook/Bonsall Village Newsby Joe Naiman Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Bonsall Unified School District took advantage of a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California rebate program to replace its 13 irrigation controllers with programmable irrigation controllers at no direct cost to the school district. MWD has a Public Agency Landscape rebate program, and the PAL rebate was used to fund the $33,439.12 cost to upgrade the irrigation controllers on the sites of the district administration building, the Bonsall Community Center, Bonsall Elementary School, Bonsall West Elementary School, and the campus which includes Sullivan Middle School and Bonsall High School.

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FPUD Chooses Raftelis For Rate Study And Long-Term Financial Plan

/in /by /The Fallbrook/Bonsall Village Newsby Joe Naiman Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., has been chosen to assist the Fallbrook Public Utility District with the development of a rate study and a ten-year financial plan. FPUD’s board voted 5-0 September 26 to authorize a contract for up to $106,162 with Raftelis, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has offices in Los Angeles and Murrieta.  The FPUD action also authorized an additional $30,000 for short-term staffing support if necessary. “We expect by the end of the year, November/December, the initial results will go back to the board,” said FPUD general manager Brian Brady.

 

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OPINION: IRS Should Stop Taxing Water Conservation Rebates

/in /by /San Francisco Chronicleby Bob Baker and Art Levine

Today, along with more than 100 other elected and municipal water leaders, we are asking the White House to support local efforts to promote water-use efficiency, reuse and green infrastructure solutions in our communities.As cities and towns across the West have risen to the challenge of conserving water in the face of historic drought, consumer rebate programs have grown significantly and have been imperative to our success. However, these rebates may be considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service, a clear financial disincentive and one that could seriously undermine conservation efforts.

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Desalination of Seawater—Much Needed Help Worldwide

/in /by /Canada Free Pressby Jack Dini Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The world is on the verge of a water crisis. Rainfall shifts caused by climate change plus the escalating water demands of a growing world population threaten society’s ability to meet its mounting needs. By 2025, the United Nations predicts 2.4 billion people will live in regions of intense water scarcity, which may force as many as 700 million people from their homes in search of water by 2030, reports Thomas Sumner. (1) Population growth is one factor requiring drinking water and sanitation, but there is also the need to produce more food. Agriculture accounts for 70% of water use. (2)

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