The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows that 9.5% of California is considered to be in moderate drought. The abnormally dry area, which includes the drought area, has expanded from about 34% to 46%.
The dry area on the new map has spread southward to include most of Los Angeles County, much of Kern and San Luis Obispo counties and all of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The Otay Water District named eight winners of its first Instagram photo contests, asking customers to depict two distinct themes.
In the first contest, four Otay Water District customers were selected winners of the agency’s first Instagram photo contest, “Thankful for Water.” During the 2019 holiday season, Instagrammers were invited to submit photos reflecting their appreciation for water.
“It might be formula, but it’s also tap water! Keeping baby healthy!” wrote Alisha Woodman, who won for the most “likes.”
One photo captured the use of water preparing for a holiday meal. Many people submitted wildlife and landscape photos. And, of course, there were selfies. Though the entry image choices varied, all depicted a precious resource — water — needed during the holiday season and year-round.
The second contest in December asked participants to submit photos with the theme “Drink Tap December.” The focus was the importance of drinking safe and reliable tap water. Entries included a photo of the ocean beneath a pier, representing how tap water helps keep the ocean plastic-free; a toddler enjoying a bottle of milk made with water from the tap; and a photo from a demonstration in Tanzania on the difference between clean and unclean water.
“A moment that truly touched my heart. Seeing the difference between clean and unclean tap water, making a clay pot that will filter tap water and getting to meet the Masai family who will benefit from my gift that prevents typhoid and water borne diseases. We are fortunate to live in a country that has clean water. Only half of Tanzania’s 22 million people have access to clean drinking water,” said winner Margaret Minor of Chula Vista.
“I am just thrilled to win,” said first-place winner Margaret Minor, of Chula Vista, within the District’s service area. “My heart was truly touched to donate a water filter while in Tanzania to a Masai family in need of the things we take for granted like clean and safe drinking water.”
Four winners from each contest were chosen based on two categories: photos receiving the most “likes,” and photos selected by District staff based on originality, creativity, and theme. First and second place winners received gift cards to business in the District’s service area.
Additional winners in the “Thankful for Water” category:
Additional winners in the “Drink Tap December” competition:
To see all entries, go to the Otay Water District’s Instagram feed.
Encinitas, CA—Olivenhain Municipal Water District encourages fourth-grade students living or attending school within its service area to enter by April 6 the annual poster contest hosted by North County water agencies.
Encinitas, CA—OMWD invites fourth-grade through eighth-grade teachers living or teaching within OMWD’s service area to apply for the California Special Districts Association San Diego Chapter’s Field Trip Grant by March 16.
The Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Governing Board voted to become a member of the Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (SCIP). The resolution passed at last night’s Governing Board meeting means that the Authority is now a member of the Statewide Communities Development Authority.
The snowpack in the Rocky Mountains is currently 14 percent above average for this time of year, but last year’s dry summer could reduce runoff to the Colorado River.
This rain-year has brought an alarmingly dry winter in California so far, according to climate change experts.
Now, there’s a new tool to help Californians navigate your water supply. It’s an online toll that allows a person to see the groundwater levels in their area. The tool then gives a representation of what could be at risk or impacted if a drought hits.
Nonpartisan policy analysts took aim Thursday at Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to use $1 billion in state funds to seed innovative climate change efforts, questioning the state’s ability to even identify the right projects.
The Climate Catalyst Loan Fund, which Newsom called for in his $222.2 budget proposal for next year, would offer low-interest loans to public and private projects that would otherwise struggle to attract venture capital money or bank loans — particularly those intended to combat climate impacts of recycling, transportation, agriculture, and forestry sectors.
The billion-dollar companies that made and used chemicals now popping up in water supplies around the country are switching to newer alternatives, but they haven’t escaped liabilities for historic environmental contamination.
The chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, have become ubiquitous in everyday consumer goods as well as in specialized industrial applications. For some of the companies, including 3M Co. and the Chemours Co., liabilities from their PFAS operations have negatively affected the value of their stock.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded more than $1.8 million to help fund a cleanup and revitalization effort for 700 acres of open space along the Los Angeles River from Griffith Park to downtown, local officials announced today.
The funding will go toward pre-construction engineering and design for the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Project. The project received $400,000 in 2016 and $100,000 in 2017.
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019