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No Deal on the Colorado River Despite Trump Administration Deadline

/in , /by /Cal Mattersby Rachel Becker

After two fraught years of negotiations amid dire projections for the Colorado River’s reservoirs, California and six other states that rely on the river’s water have yet again failed to reach a deal — despite a federal deadline.

“While more work needs to be done, collective progress has been made that warrants continued efforts to define and approve details for a finalized agreement,” the states said. The written statement released Tuesday included no details about how they plan to manage the river after the current rulebook expires at the end of next year.

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Water, Sewer Rate Hikes Dialed Back for Oceanside

/in , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Phil Diehl

Water and sewer rate increases proposed in October to take effect in 2026 for Oceanside residents and businesses were cut in half Wednesday by the Oceanside City Council, but only for a year.

Water department employees initially asked for increases of 6% for water and 4% for sewer in 2026 and again in 2027, but the council pushed for belt-tightening and postponed a decision after complaints from residents at the Oct. 1 meeting.

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Warmer Weather Trend to Reverse Direction, Turn Cooler by Midweek

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Brooke Binkowski

The warming San Diegans are experiencing this weekend will turn cooler by the middle of the week, with a chance for rain later in the week, forecasters said Sunday.

The cooling is expected by Tuesday, although highs will remain above average as the area of high pressure weakens ahead of an incoming low pressure system.

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OPINION: Why the Region’s Agricultural Water Rate Is Good for Everyone

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Gary Arant , Frank Hilliker, Jim Madaffer and Amy Reeh

 As San Diego County continues to navigate the complex challenges of water affordability and supply reliability, the Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate Program, or PSAWR, offers a smart, equitable solution that economically benefits the entire region — not just farmers.

Some water agencies have asked: “What’s in it for us?” — especially those who don’t serve farmers directly. It’s a fair question. But the answer is clear: PSAWR helps stabilize water rates across the region, preserve local jobs, protect our economy and sustain the environment of San Diego County.

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OPINION: Don Wagner Calls for Common Sense in Sacramento: Ag, Water, and the Future of California

/in , /by /AgNet News Hour

The November 5 edition of the AgNet News Hour struck a chord with California farmers and voters alike as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Don Wagner, candidate for Secretary of State of California, to discuss the state’s leadership crisis, water mismanagement, and the fight to restore common sense to Sacramento.

Wagner, currently serving in Orange County and endorsed by former Secretary of State Bill Jones and former Governor Pete Wilson, said the same thing many Californians are feeling: “The problems in this state are entirely man-made.” He pointed to decades of political gridlock and poor decision-making that have crippled business, agriculture, and infrastructure. “We don’t have a resource problem,” Wagner said. “We have a government problem. It’s bad policy, not bad luck, that’s hurting California.”

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Deadline for Mexico to Pay Water Owed to Us Fast Approaching

/in , /by /Border Reportby Sandra Sanchez

The clock is ticking down on Mexico’s deadline this month to pay the United States water it owes under a 1944 international treaty. So far, Mexico has paid less than half what it owes during this five-year cycle, which ends on Oct. 25.

Former McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, chairman of the Region M Water Planning Group, says Mexico has the water due to recent rains. But it hasn’t paid the United States, and specifically South Texas.

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California Surface Water Costs Can Triple During Drought, Underlining Need for Better Management

/in , /by /Phys.orgby Amy Quinton

California often swings between climate extremes—from powerful storms to punishing droughts. As climate change drives more intense and frequent dry and wet cycles, pressure on California’s water supplies grows.

A new University of California, Davis, economic study finds that drought in California pushes the price of water from rivers, lakes and reservoirs up by $487 per acre-foot, more than triple the cost during an average wet year.

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Escondido Residents Frustrated by Nearly Year-Long Closure

/in , /by /CBS 8by Vanessa Paz

What was supposed to be a quick fix has turned into nearly a year of frustration for Escondido residents. Harding Street has been partially closed since January for aqueduct repairs, leaving drivers to navigate detours and congestion.

“It used to be two-way traffic,” said longtime resident Adrian Tejada. “My concern isn’t only for residents, it closes off shopping areas, so there’s only one way to come in.”

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‘Emerging Threat’: An Invasive Species Is Upending Life in the Delta, With No Help on the Way

/in , /by /Cal Mattersby Rachel Becker

Spurts of goo oozed between Jeff Wingfield’s fingers as he methodically crushed a handful of golden mussels, popping the shells of the tiny invaders like bubblewrap. Last October, a couple of miles down the Stockton Deepwater Shipping Channel, state water managers first discovered that golden mussels had invaded North America.

“You can just push your way right through them,” said Wingfield from the dock where he stood at the Port of Stockton, looking down at the thimble-sized debris in his palm.

 

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OPINION: Anxious Times for Colorado River Users

/in , /by /Calexico Chronicleby Brian McNeece Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Imperial Irrigation District recently held two workshops to update the public on the status of the negotiations on how Colorado River water will be distributed after the current guidelines expire at the end of next year.

The mood of the meeting reminded me of similar hearings back in 2003 when the IID was under heavy pressure to sign the Quantification Settlement Agreement, a basket of contracts that established new rules about water sharing in California. Most prominently, the QSA implemented the ongoing water transfers of nearly 500,000 acre-feet of water to the San Diego Water County Authority, MWD, and Coachella. The mood of those 2003 meetings was gloomy. And so it is now.

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