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Lake Powell Water Levels Threatened by Heat Wave

/in , , /by /Newsweek by Anna Skinner

An extreme heat wave in the Southwest could pose a risk to Lake Powell’s water levels, which have been steadily increasing all summer.

After an extended drought period, Lake Powell, which is in Utah and Arizona, reached drastically low levels last summer, but levels began rising in earnest in April after California experienced a wet winter. The above-average snowfall in the mountains led to an increased snowpack melt that has continued to supplement Lake Powell, as well as Lake Mead in Arizona and Nevada, this summer.

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Scottsdale Bans Natural Grass in Front Yards of New Houses to Conserve Water Amid Arizona’s Drought

/in , , /by /CNN by Mitchell McCluskey and Holly Yan

As drought-stricken Arizona bakes in searing heat, the Scottsdale City Council unanimously agreed this week to ban natural grass in front of future single-family homes in an effort to conserve water.

The new ordinance will apply to new houses constructed or permitted after August 15.

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Landscape Transformation Wins Sweetwater Authority Contest

/in , , /by /Water News Network

National City homeowner Catalina Schultz decided to reinvent her yard. Her landscape transformation from grass to a low-water use design is the 2023 winner of the Sweetwater Authority WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Contest.

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Interior Department Official with Key Role in Colorado River Talks is Stepping Down

/in , , /by /APby Suman Naishadham and Felicia Fonseca

A senior Interior Department official who has had a key role in negotiations over the shrinking Colorado River plans to step down from the job next week.

Tanya Trujillo told the department of her intention to resign as assistant secretary for water and science about six weeks ago and her last day is Monday, she told The Associated Press. Trujillo, who has served in the role since June 2021, said it made sense to leave now as the Biden administration gears up for a reelection campaign.

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California Takes Big Step to Boost Use of Purified Sewage Water to Combat Drought

/in , , /by /LAistby Erin Stone

California has taken a big step towards boosting how much sewage water local governments can purify and reuse for drinking — a process known as water recycling. On Tuesday, the state proposed draft regulations to expand recycling by introducing new purification standards and processes.

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20,000 Residents to See Water, Sewer Bills Jump 88% Over 5 Years

/in , , /by /Times Standardby Sage Alexander

The Board of Directors of Humboldt County Services District voted Tuesday for water and sewer rate increases, with two of five directors dissenting. Rates would eventually increase over the next five years by a total of 88% and start increasing Aug. 1.

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FEMA Ranking Shows San Diego County Tops List of Most at Risk for Wildfires in Southern California

/in , , /by /ABC 10 by Ciara Encinas

It’s that time of year when the dry heat, along with winds, increases the risk of wildfires.

The National Weather Service said the wildfire threat is elevated in our inland communities into next week.

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Neena Kuzmich Named Director of Engineering

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

Neena Kuzmich has been appointed director of engineering for the San Diego County Water Authority – the first woman to lead the Engineering Department since the agency’s formation in 1944. Kuzmich brings more than 25 years of experience as a civil engineer to fill the position vacated by the retirement of Gary Bousquet.

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Opinion: Move by Two Small Water Districts Could Have Impact Across Southern California

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Michael Smolens Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Fallbrook and Rainbow water districts got the green light to, in effect, move north.

That will impact ratepayers in San Diego County, and it could alter the balance of power in water decisions far beyond.

Like so many contentious developments when it comes to water, this one might not be over for a while.

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Humans’ Impact On the Earth Began a New Epoch in the 1950s Called the Anthropocene, Scientists Say

/in , , /by /Associated Pressby Seth Borenstein

From climate change to species loss and pollution, humans have etched their impact on the Earth with such strength and permanence since the middle of the 20th century that a special team of scientists says a new geologic epoch began then.

Called the Anthropocene — and derived from the Greek terms for “human” and “new” — this epoch started sometime between 1950 and 1954, according to the scientists. While there is evidence worldwide that captures the impact of burning fossil fuels, detonating nuclear weapons and dumping fertilizers and plastics on land and in waterways, the scientists are proposing a small but deep lake outside of Toronto, Canada — Crawford Lake — to place a historic marker.

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