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Opinion: Don’t Let a Few ‘Monster’ Storms Fool You, S.F.’s Water Supply is Unsustainable

/in , , /by /San Francisco Chronicle

Faced with a worsening drought and the ever-present threat of more wildfires, the Bay Area needed a miracle. And last month, it got one. An unexpected and almost unprecedented October deluge gave the Hetch Hetchy reservoir, the primary water supply for San Francisco and most of the Bay Area, a more than 21-foot bump in its water level. That’s an 11% boost; and the prospect of breaking the drought this rainy season suddenly no longer sounds impossible.

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Which Species Will Survive? Climate Change Enhances the Vulnerability of California Freshwater Fishes to Severe Drought

/in , , /by /California Water Blogby Peter Moyle

As I write this on an October weekend, rain is falling steadily in Davis and has been for most of the day. This is the first real rain we have had in over seven months. But it is not the end of the drought. Multiple storms are needed. The landscape is a dry sponge, reservoirs are empty, water rationing is in place or expected to be, and aquatic species are in decline. Water agencies are trying to capture all the water they can behind dams with bypass flows for fish minimal.

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Infrastructure Week is Finally Here. What California Will Get

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ernie B. Logan

Washington has become known as the town where nothing gets done. But Congress on Nov. 5 approved a bipartisan $1.2-trillion infrastructure bill that lawmakers say will expand access to high-speed internet, rebuild old roads and bridges and create networks of electric car charging stations. Biden is scheduled to sign the bill Monday during a ceremony at the White House.

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Drilling for ‘White Gold’ is Happening Right Now at the Salton Sea

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Sammy Roth

Barely a mile from the southern shore of the Salton Sea — an accidental lake deep in the California desert, a place best known for dust and decay — a massive drill rig stands sentinel over some of the most closely watched ground in American energy.

There’s no oil or natural gas here, despite a cluster of Halliburton cement tanks and the hum of a generator slowly pushing a drill bit through thousands of feet of underground rock.

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PWD to Extend its Water-Saving Rebates

/in , /by /Antelope Valley Press

As it works to encourage water conservation during California’s drought, the Palmdale Water District is extending its water-saving rebate program from residential to commercial customers, as well.

This is the first time the water provider has offered the rebate program to its commercial and industrial customers, according to a statement from the District.

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Ramona Water District to Consider Transferring its Emergency Services Oversight to County

/in , /by /Ramona Sentinelby Julie Gallant

Ramona Municipal Water District directors agreed Tuesday to set a hearing to consider turning over emergency services to the San Diego County Fire Protection District.

The water district has had a contract with Cal Fire for its fire protection and emergency medical services since 1993. The proposed Fire Protection District would continue to contract with Cal Fire to serve Ramona, but would take over operations of the three fire stations and equipment maintenance. It would also handle emergency 9-1-1 dispatching and support IT and radio system operations.

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FPUD to Lease Indirect Potable Reuse Pilot Treatment Equipment from Intuitech

/in , /by /Village Newsby Joe Naiman

A pilot test will be conducted on the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s planned indirect potable reuse project, and Intuitech will be leasing the pilot treatment equipment to FPUD.

FPUD’s board voted 5-0 Oct. 25 to authorize a $370,450 agreement with Intuitech for the lease of the equipment. The pilot project will determine the best treatment process as well as the feasibility of utilizing reclaimed water to augment groundwater in the Lower Santa Margarita River basin.

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Construction Contract Approved for RMWD Lift Station Replacement

/in , /by /Village Newsby Joe Naiman

Two actions taken at the Oct. 26 Rainbow Municipal Water District board meeting addressed the construction of the replacement for Lift Station No. 1.

The board approved a $15,181,157 construction contract with James W. Fowler Company and a $1,423,717 professional services agreement with Valley Construction Management for construction management and inspection services. Both actions had 4-0 votes with one vacant seat.

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Celebrating Veterans with a Career Day in Water

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies recognize military veterans for their service and actively recruit vets to fill new career opportunities in the water and wastewater industry. The Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College and San Diego County water agencies are hosting a free career day on January 19, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. for veterans looking to transition into the water and wastewater industry.

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Metropolitan Water District Declares Drought Emergency in Southern California

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

Southern California’s largest urban water district declared a drought emergency on Tuesday and called for local water suppliers to immediately cut the use of water from the State Water Project.

The resolution passed by the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California calls on people across the region to step up conservation efforts, but also focuses especially on six water agencies that rely heavily or entirely on the water-starved State Water Project.

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