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Florida is Poised to Become 2nd State to Ban Fluoride From Public Water Systems

/in , /by /Fox 5 San Diegoby Kate Payne

Florida is poised to become the second state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, over the concerns of dentists and public health advocates who say the mineral is a safe, effective way to protect people of all ages from developing cavities. Florida lawmakers gave final approval to the bill Tuesday after Utah became the first state to pass a ban last month. The Republican-led states are following a push led by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is setting the gears of government in motion to stop fluoridating water.

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Decision Looming for Trump Administration on First PFAS Drinking Water Limits

/in , /by /US News and World Report

In pain so bad he couldn’t stand, Chris Meek was rushed to the hospital with a life-threatening ruptured gallbladder. When he emerged from surgery, he learned he had kidney cancer that thankfully hadn’t yet spread.

Meek, a social studies teacher in Wilmington, North Carolina, was 47 at the time. But he remained confused for years about why, as someone seemingly not at risk, he had gotten cancer until Emily Donovan, a parent of students at his school, gave a guest talk about high levels of harmful forever chemicals known as PFAS in North Carolina’s environment. When Donovan mentioned kidney cancer, the possible cause of Meek’s diagnosis finally clicked.

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Mexico and Us Reach Deal on Rio Grande Water Sharing

/in , /by /San Diego Union-Tribune

Mexico and the United States said Monday they had reached an agreement that involves Mexico immediately sending more water from their shared Rio Grande basin to Texas farmers after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions earlier this month.

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California’s Second Largest Reservoir on Track to Hit First-Ever Milestone

/in , /by /Newsweekby Anna Skinner

Over the past few years, Lake Oroville’s water levels have significantly recovered following years of drought that depleted the state’s reservoirs to concerningly low levels. Above-average snowfall in the winter of 2023 and 2024 helped the reservoir recover. Although less snow fell this year, the lake is expected to reach its capacity this spring as snow melts, signaling positive news for California.

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The Truth About the Cost of Water: Dismantling the Water Authority Would Harm All San Diegans

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby Jim Madaffer Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

As former San Diego County Water Authority Board Chairs, we heard and responded to demands from the region’s working families, civic and business leaders in the 1990s when our only major water source dried up.

Collectively, with our member agencies, we then spent three decades relentlessly securing new water supplies and investing in multi-billion-dollar upgrades that will last for generations.  We remained steadfast in making the necessary and difficult decisions to support the entire San Diego region.

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Carlsbad Water and Sewer Rates to Climb 49% in 3 Years

/in , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Phil Diehl Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Carlsbad’s residential water and sewer rates will increase 20% on July 1 and a total of 49% over the next three years under a plan approved Tuesday by the City Council. Several residents opposed the rate hikes, but city staffers said they are needed to pass along a 14% increase in the price of water purchased from the San Diego County Water Authority and to cover inflation and the rising costs of maintenance and capital improvements.

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The Value of Safe, Reliable Drinking Water in San Diego

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

The story: For more than 80 years, the San Diego County Water Authority and its 22 member agencies have worked together to deliver safe and reliable water to more than 3.3 million people. Despite climate challenges and a limited local water supply, strategic investments ensure that water continues flowing to support homes, businesses and the economy — all day, every day.

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A Rare Glimpse Inside the Mountain Tunnel That Carries Water to Southern California

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

Thousands of feet below the snowy summit of Mt. San Jacinto, a formidable feat of engineering and grit makes life as we know it in Southern California possible. The 13-mile-long San Jacinto Tunnel was bored through the mountain in the 1930s by a crew of about 1,200 men who worked day and night for six years, blasting rock and digging with machinery.

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Politics Report: Water Authority Faces Existential Crisis

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby Scott Lewis Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

I have a special podcast interview scheduled next week with Daniel Denham, the general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority. It could not come at a better time. This week, San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera said it may be time for the city to begin discussing leaving or dissolving the Water Authority.

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OPINION: California lawmaker wants to clean nitrates, arsenic out of rural towns’ water

/in , /by /The Fresno Beeby The Fresno Bee Editorial Board

Outside of major cities like Fresno and Clovis, drinking-water quality for San Joaquin Valley residents can be dicey.

The Valley is full of examples of rural water systems failing to either produce enough supply or deliver fresh water that is not tainted by contaminants, be they manufactured, like farming chemicals, or naturally occurring elements in local soils like arsenic.

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