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February Storms Wash Away Drought Conditions. Will San Diegans Continue To Conserve?

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Joshua Emerson Smith

February storms have left California flush with water, relieving concerns the state could quickly slip back into the drought conditions that plagued it for much of the last decade. Less than 3 percent of the state is now experiencing drought, down from nearly 84 percent just three months ago, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. At the same time, the state’s frozen reservoir of mountain snowpack is already 124 percent of average for the season.

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OPINION: Our View: Saving For A (Non) Rainy Day

/in , /by /Recordnet.com (Stockton, Calif.)

March didn’t exactly come in like a lion, with apologies to Richard Rodgers, but the season’s herky-jerky approach to spring does lead many to wonder if the rains will ever stop and the temperatures will ever rise again. Of course, the answer to both is yes. The past few weeks have been marked by several days of rain followed by a dry day or two followed by rain followed by a dry day or two and on and seemingly on. Planning outdoor activities always is a bit dicey in late winter, or what passes for winter. California residents are blessed with perhaps the country’s best overall weather.

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A Massive Aquifer Lies Beneath The Mojave Desert. Could It Help Solve California’s Water Problem?

/in , /by /The Washington Postby Scott Wilson

The landscape here is more Martian than Earthly, rust and tan plains that rise in the distance to form the Old Woman Mountains to the east and the Bristols and Marbles to the north and west. Almost everything here is protected by the federal government. The opportunity or threat, depending on your point of view, lies beneath the dusty surface that, after a recent rain, blooms with sprays of yellow desert dandelion. There is water here in the Mojave Desert. A lot of it.

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OPINION: Why Are We Still Conserving Water?

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Steven P. Dinkin

The National Conflict Resolution Center handles many disputes involving minor family tensions that escalate into major sources of friction. We explore this category today with an example of a couple locked in disagreement over water conservation practices. Partner A, who grudgingly agreed to curtail water usage during the drought, believes the current onslaught of rain is a license to take long showers and run the tap while brushing teeth. Partner B, who is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, sees no reason to backslide into wasteful habits. Like most domestic standoffs, this was prompted by a “presenting issue” (an argument over water conservation), but it involves more complex challenges of handling 24/7 diverging views and clashing priorities.

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Helix Water District Launches 2019 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest

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La Mesa, Calif.—Helix Water District has launched its eighth annual Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest to share the beauty of its reservoir with the local community. The contest is open to photos taken at Lake Jennings between March 1 and May 31, 2019.

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The Challenges & Solutions Of Water Scarcity

/in , /by /CleanTechnica

30 years from now, about 7 in 10 people will live in cities across the globe. One of the main challenges for the governments will be to provide infrastructure and services such as housing and safe drinking water for all. With global warming and climate change increasing the risk of floods and droughts around the world, access to clean water will be at the heart of every discussion. REVOLVE interviewed Diane D’Arras, President of the International Water Association, to talk about these challenges and the importance of raising awareness on the topic in order to create a momentum and encouraging governments and organizations to start acting now.

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First Of Three Back-To-Back Storms Moves Into San Diego County

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Gary Robbins

The first of three moderate rain storms spread out across San Diego County Saturday, where it dropped up to a half-inch of rain at the coast, according to the National Weather Service. As of 4 p.m., the fairly warm system from the central Pacific had soaked Solana Beach with 0.52 inches, Fallbrook with 0.72 inches and Palomar Mountain with 1.48 inches. Other areas saw much less precipitation, such as the San Diego International Airport with only 0.17 inches. A wind advisory is in effect until midnight in the mountains. Forecasters say isolated showers could last into Sunday.

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District Expands Recycled Water Service in Rancho Santa Fe

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Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District began serving recycled water to the Del Rayo Downs Homeowner Association in Rancho Santa Fe this week. The conversion to recycled water enables the HOA to save money on its monthly water bill while decreasing imported water demand by approximately 17.5 acre-feet annually. An acre-foot is enough to serve two typical families of four for a year.

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Breaking Impasse, Feds Will Include Salton Sea In Seven-State Drought Plan, IID Says

/in , /by /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)by Janet Wilson and Ian James

There may be hope for finalizing a sweeping Colorado River drought contingency plan after all. Imperial Irrigation District officials announced at a special board meeting late Friday that the federal Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to their condition that the drought package include restoration of the Salton Sea. They said federal officials will write a strong letter of support backing IID’s requests for $200 million in Farm Bill funding for wetlands projects around the shrinking sea, which is California’s largest inland water body. The projects are aimed at keeping down dust along the shorelines and salvaging deteriorating habitat for fish and birds.

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OPINION: We Can Plan For A ‘Leaner’ Colorado River As We Save The Salton Sea

/in , /by /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)by Ted Kowalski

Over the past five years, the seven Colorado River Basin states have been working to develop a series of drought contingency plans (DCPs) to safeguard water levels at Lake Mead. Responding to a 19-year drought, leaders throughout the basin are at last close to finalizing the agreements necessary to bolster conservation and safeguard water levels on the river. The DCPs will ensure that the Colorado River basin can balance water supplies and demands in a way that supports a healthy river and environment. The future of the Colorado River depends on the conservation and flexibility within the DCP agreements.

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