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San Marcos and Vallecitos Partner for Hydration Stations

/in , , /by /The Coast News Group Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Both the city of San Marcos and the Vallecitos Water District are committed to the reduction of single-use plastics in our community. To accomplish that, they have teamed up to offer new hydration stations in local parks to encourage the use of refilling reusable bottles during outdoor activities instead of reaching for bottled water.

Feb. 22, the San Marcos City Council issued a proclamation recognizing the ongoing partnership between the Vallecitos Water District and the city of San Marcos. City of San Marcos Ordinance 2021-1507, adopted on Oct. 26, 2021, restricts the use of single-use plastic food-service ware.

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Key Hearing on Poseidon Desalination Plant Delayed Two Months

/in , , /by /The Orange County Registerby Martin Wisckol

Ongoing disagreements between Poseidon Water and state regulators over a proposed desalination plant in Huntington Beach have resulted in a March 17 permit hearing being postponed at the company’s request.

Poseidon is seeking the final permit needed, from the state Coastal Commission, before it can finalize contract terms with the Orange County Water District and begin construction on a controversial, $1.4 billion plant that would produce enough drought-proof water for 400,000 people. The hearing slated for next month is now expected in May.

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California’s Drought Endures: Feds’ Central Valley Project Announces 0% Water for Farmers

/in , , /by /Fresno Beeby Dale Kasler

Farmers in California’s Central Valley are in for another brutal summer of drought.

The federal government announced initial 2022 water allocations Wednesday for customers of the Central Valley Project, and the figures were dismal: Most irrigation districts in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys can expect to receive no deliveries from the project’s vast network of reservoirs and canals.

 

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Snow Falling: As Climate Warms, Overhauling California Water Projections Gains Urgency

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Rachel Becker

Packed onto the slopes of the Sierra Nevada is a precious source of water for California — a frozen reservoir that climate change is already transforming.

As the planet warms, the spring snowpack is dwindling. The snow is creeping up mountainsides to higher elevations, melting earlier in the year and seeping into dry soils rather than washing into rivers and streams that feed reservoirs.

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Poseidon Vows 100% Clean Energy for Desalination Plant in Huntington Beach

/in , , /by /The Orange County Registerby Martin Wisckol

As Poseidon Water gears up for next month’s final permit hearings on its controversial Huntington Beach desalination proposal, the company signed a non-binding agreement Tuesday, Feb. 22, recognizing a “goal” of 100% clean energy for the massive power needs of the plant.

The surge of new greenhouse gases resulting from those needs is among numerous objections to the operation, and opponents remain skeptical Poseidon will follow through with its 100% clean energy promise.

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Climate Change, Drought Are Endangering Hydropower Production From Lake Powell. Is It Time to ‘Balance the Water Budget’?

/in , , /by /The Salt Lake Tribuneby Zach Podmore

The water level in Lake Powell was at a record low when rain and snow began to fall across the Colorado River Basin in October, soaking dry soils ahead of the winter season.

Water managers, who hoped the trend would build into an above-average snow year that might delay a looming water crisis in the Southwest, watched the snowpack drop to near zero in November. Then, after a massive storm cycle brought six feet of snow to parts of the Rockies around the New Year, they again breathed a sigh of relief.

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Winter Storm Brings Much Needed Water and Snow to Southern California

/in , , /by /KUSI News

Cold, windy and occasionally wet conditions will continue across San Diego County through Wednesday, with widespread rain and mountain snow possible before things warm up later in the week.

“Hazardous travel is expected, especially through the mountains,” according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning will be in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday in the San Diego County mountains, with snow accumulating up to a foot in some areas, with as much as 18 inches on higher peaks.

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MID Sets Water Allotment and Lets Farmers Share Supply Amid Yet Another Drought

/in , , /by /The Modesto Beeby John Holland

The Modesto Irrigation District will deliver about 60% of its usual water this year because of the persistent drought.

The district board voted 5-0 Tuesday morning for this allotment from the Tuolumne River. It affects about 58,000 acres of farmland, as well as a treatment plant that eases reliance on groundwater in Modesto and a few other towns.

MID is in relatively good shape as California’s drought enters its third year. The Turlock Irrigation District, which also diverts from the Tuolumne, has not yet set a 2022 allotment for its nearly 150,000 acres.

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Biden Says Commercial-Scale Lithium Extraction Possible in Imperial Valley by 2026

/in , , /by /Desert Sunby Erin Rode

As the Imperial Valley begins its transformation into what some are calling Lithium Valley, one company says it could have lithium production at commercial scale by 2026, President Joe Biden said Tuesday at an event with Gov. Gavin Newsom, industry executives, community representatives and labor leaders.

Biden met with the group to announce several investments in domestic production of critical minerals and materials, including lithium extraction in Imperial County.

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Winners Announced in Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest

/in , , /by /Water News Network

Amateur photographers turned their lenses on skies and streams, coyotes and cactus, and overlooked details in nature to produce seven winning images in the 15th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest. The winners were announced this week at the Olivenhain Municipal Water District February 2022 board meeting.

The seven photos are now on display in the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty through April 30, 2022. The Escondido Creek Conservancy contributed printing services to showcase one of the North County’s favorite hiking spots.

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