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With a few inches of much-needed rain having fallen over the weekend around the Bay Area, it’s yet to be seen whether the region will see a return this winter — or the next, or the next — to sustaining precipitation levels. And indeed, climate change and human water use spread the risk of catastrophic drought over much of the world. Who can save us? Possibly Google.

 

Though he knows it makes no financial sense, Sam Lipson regularly drives to a local sewer plant to haul home free effluent to irrigate the trees in his yard. A year ago, at the height of California’s drought when residents faced higher rates and penalties for using too much water, the time and effort saved Lipson money. Now, with drought rates and penalties gone, Lipson saves less than 20 cents on his water bill each time he picks up 40 gallons of free effluent, instead of getting the water from his faucet at home. That’s scant compensation for the time and effort.

California’s Native American tribes have not been immune to the drought. In some cases, the effects have been worse because some tribes have limited resources to manage their water shortage problems. Case in point: The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians in northern San Diego County was recently awarded $605,000 from the Indian Community Development Block Grant program to develop a new well and water distribution system to serve part of its reservation. It’s among $56 million in grants awarded to 77 tribes by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for various projects.

Snow flurries are continuing to fall in the Sierra as the Sacramento Valley is expected to remain mainly dry Monday after a very soggy weekend. Two inches of fresh powder had already fallen at Donner Summit by 6 a.m., prompting chains to be required up Interstate 80. Another 1 to 2 inches of snow is expected to accumulate Monday for areas above 6,000 feet as a winter weather advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m.