You are now in Home Headline Media Coverage San Diego County category.

Water Shortage Contingency Plan-WSCP-drought-Desalination

WaterSmart: Weathering Dry Times in San Diego County

/in , , /by /Water News Networkby Ed Joyce Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Stories by national and regional media outlets highlighted the investments by the San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies to create a plentiful water supply for the region, helping to weather dry times like the current drought.

The New York Times, Spectrum News 1, The Wall Street Journal and Wired Magazine are among several news organizations that have reported on the region’s water supply projects, current and future, that ensure the 3.3 million residents of San Diego County won’t be left high and dry during times of drought. The news stories also recognize the successful efforts by the region’s residents to significantly reduce water-wasting practices by embracing a “conservation ethic” and be WaterSmartSD.

Drought emergency extended

Following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Oct. 19 extension of the statewide drought emergency to all counties in California, the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously to activate the agency’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. That plan includes a call for increased voluntary conservation by San Diego residents. CBS 8 Reporter Heather Hope reported on the Board action and tips for how people can reduce water use.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on October 30. The Sweetwater Authority the City of San Diego, and the City of Oceanside are three of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Full Story

Opinion: Can One Atmospheric River End California’s Drought?

/in , , /by /California Water Blogby Andrew L. Rypel and Jay Lund

Given the quantity and intensity of last week’s rain, an obvious question is: ‘Is the drought over?’ Alas, the answer is a resounding no. But, the data are interesting and worth thinking about in more detail. As of now, the 8 station index in the northern Sierra registers 12.6 inches of cumulative precipitation. Because the water year just started (October 1), all of this came from the recent atmospheric river. It was an impressive storm, and set quite a few local one-day precipitation records.

Full Story

These Small Fresno County Farmers Are Struggling to Get Water From Their Wells Amid the Drought

/in , /by /Valley Public Radioby Madi Bolanos

June Moua started growing cherries, tomatoes and grapes in east Fresno County 10 years ago. Now she grows a few different types of crops. But her most profitable are the water-intensive Asian greens like mustard greens and bok choy.

Full Story

Opinion: Conservation Is Critical During Drought, but Not the Only Solution

/in , /by /ACWAby Steve Lamar and Sean Bigley

Gov. Gavin Newsom has extended the drought emergency statewide and called on all Californians to redouble their efforts to conserve water. His call to action is critical even with the storms that recently soaked California, because we know that a lot more rain and snow will be needed to lift the state out of the drought.

The Governor’s approach to statewide conservation is laudable, as well, because it continues to empower water managers with matching local water supply conditions with conservation, rather than relying on statewide mandates. While conservation is a critical tool for saving water during a drought, it is only one of many actions that must be taken to address drought. Investing in water infrastructure and the ability of local water managers to diversify supplies are also essential to building climate resilience throughout the state.

Full Story

California Drought: Key Talks Over Water Use Break Down, S.F. May Face Tighter Regulation

/in , /by /San Francisco Chronicleby Kurtis Alexander

For nearly three years, some of California’s biggest water users, including San Francisco, have been quietly meeting with the state to figure out how much water they should be taking from the San Joaquin River and its tributaries.

The talks were launched to prevent some of California’s mightiest rivers from drying up, and keep fish populations from disappearing, while still allowing cities and farms to draw the supplies they need. The vision was nothing short of a grand compromise on divvying up California’s water.

Full Story

$35.9 Million More in MWD Overcharges Returned to SDCWA Member Agencies

/in , , /by /San Diego County Water Authority Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today announced a plan to distribute $35.9 million to its 24 member agencies across the region after receiving a fund transfer from the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to pay legal damages and interest.

In 2021, the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors approved distribution of more than $80 million to its 24 member agencies across the region after receiving funds from the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to pay legal damages and interest.

Full Story

Water Authority Activates Water Shortage Contingency Plan

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

The San Diego County Water Authority today activated Level 1 – Voluntary Conservation of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan in support of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to sustain California after two record-dry years. The agency’s 36-member Board of Directors voted unanimously to activate the regional drought response plan for the third time this century.

The San Diego region continues to have reliable water supplies due to decades of conservation efforts and ratepayer investments. However, Water Authority Board Chair Gary Croucher said San Diegans should increase their conservation efforts in the face of a potential third dry year across California.

Full Story

It’s Official: Water Authority Asks San Diegans for 15% Voluntary Conservation

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Voluntary water conservation in San Diego to help drought-stricken parts of California is now the official policy of the San Diego County Water Authority.

The authority’s board voted unanimously Thursday to activate Level 1 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan in support of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for statewide help after two record-dry years.

A staff recommendation last week called 10% voluntary conservation, but the board raised that to 15% to comply with the Governor’s request.

Full Story

San Diego County’s Water Agency Asks Residents to Cut Water Use by 10%

/in , , /by /NBC 7 San Diego by Audra Stafford Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority voted Thursday to activate Level 1 of its six-part Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which asks San Diegans to voluntarily conserve 10% of their water use.

The vote from the agency’s 36-member Board of Directors came after Gov. Gavin Newsom extended a drought emergency declaration statewide last week as the western U.S. entered its third year of drought.

The declaration — activated twice before in 2007 and 2014, required water suppliers to implement their water shortage contingency plans, however, the Water Authority said it was already planning to implement its plan before the declaration was extended.

As part of Level 1, San Diegans will be asked to voluntarily conserve up to 10% of their water use. The Water Authority will also step up its outreach and education efforts to promote conservation.

Full Story

Opinion: California Should Create More Water – Much More

/in , /by /CalMattersby Jim Wunderman

Wouldn’t you know it? Just like washing your car, almost the moment I finished writing this article, the skies opened up.

I’d write one every day if it meant ending our water woes. But it tells you everything you need to know about California’s dire water situation – that the atmospheric river that recently pummeled Northern California and other parts of the state doesn’t even begin to make a dent in our drought.

And it highlights the urgency for California to create more water. Much more.

Full Story