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Feds Announce Start of Public Process to Reshape Key Rules on Colorado River Water Use by 2027

/in , , /by /APby Ken Ritter

A public process started Thursday to reshape the way Colorado River water is distributed, with federal officials promising to collect comments about updating and enacting rules in 2027 to continue providing hydropower, drinking water and irrigation to farms, cities and tribes in seven Western U.S. states and Mexico.

The U.S. Interior Department said it will publish in the Federal Register on Friday a call for replacing guidelines that expire in 2026, including pacts enacted in 2007 for states to share cutbacks in water drawn from a river diminished by drought and climate change, as well as operating plans for the key Lake Powell and Lake Mead reservoirs. An agreement between the United States and Mexico on use of Colorado River water also is set to expire at that time.

The department’s U.S. Bureau of Reclamation promised a “robust and transparent public process” beginning with online virtual public meetings July 17, July 18 and July 24. It set an Aug. 15 deadline for receipt of public comments on “specific operational guidelines, strategies and any other issues that should be considered.”

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Helix Water District Awarded $10.3 Million Grant

/in , , /by /sdnews.comby Dave Thomas

California’s Department of Water Resources has awarded Helix Water District $10.3 million in grant funds for the district’s drought resilience and drinking water supply reliability project. Helix was one of 26 California agencies, and the only San Diego County agency, to receive a portion of the $217 million in grants awarded in this round of funding.

The project encompasses four infrastructure upgrades needed for the East County Advanced Water Purification project, which will purify recycled water to provide a drought-proof water supply for up to 30% of East County’s needs.

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DWR Opens Apprenticeship Program Exams

/in , , /by /Water News Network

The California Department of Water Resources has opened the process to apply for its apprenticeship program that can lead to a career with the state agency.

DWR’s Operations and Maintenance Apprenticeship Program has released four exams that are the first step in applying for a career with DWR as an electrician, operator, mechanic, or utility craftsworker. The exams are available from June 15 to July 17.

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LAFCO Votes to Move Up Detachment Vote Following Last Minute Legislative Amendment

/in , , /by /Fallbrook Village Newsby Julie Reeder Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

On Wednesday morning June 14, LAFCO held an emergency special meeting to vote on whether to support or oppose AB 530/399, a methane gas bill that had an amendment added to it at the last minute, which would not allow Fallbrook and Rainbow to detach from San Diego Water Authority without allowing the entire county to vote on the detachment.

Six LAFCO members voted to oppose the amendment and 2 members, Joel Anderson and Steve Whitburn, voted for the amendment to change any future detachments to a county-wide vote.

LAFCO also voted to move up the Aug. 7 meeting, when the detachment was supposed to be voted on, to July 10. This would thwart the sneaky amendment by superseding it.

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Amid ‘Challenging Budget,’ County Water Authority Sets Public Hearing on 2024 Rates

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Amid a “challenging budget cycle,” the San Diego County Water Authority board announced plans for a public hearing on June 22 regarding proposed wholesale water rates for 2024, followed by official votes on final rates.

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Tribes Seek Greater Involvement in Talks on Colorado River Water Crisis

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

As the federal government starts negotiations on long-term plans for the overtapped Colorado River, leaders of tribes are pushing for more involvement in the talks, saying they want to be at the table in high-level discussions among the seven states that rely on the river.

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Los Angeles Gets Some of its Water From Mono Lake, But There’s a Push to Change How Much

/in , /by /ABC7by Rob McMillan

Mono Lake is just one of the sources Los Angeles uses to meet its water demands. But those who oversee it want a better plan to keep more of the water in the basin.

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Don’t Be Fooled by Rain and Snow, the Colorado River is Still in Serious Trouble, Experts Say

/in , , /by /Denver Postby Conrad Swanson

Water is rushing from Colorado’s Western Slope and into the tributaries of the Colorado River, restoring reservoirs across the American West to perhaps a semblance of their former glory. Cities, farmers, ranchers and water managers are breathing a sigh of relief at the crisis avoided this summer thanks to the robust snowfall this winter.

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Imperial Beach Asks White House for Help with Sewage Spills from Tijuana

/in , , /by /FOX 5 San Diegoby Alani Letang

The City of Imperial Beach has joined a list of cities in San Diego County that are requesting assistance from the White House with sewage leaks from Tijuana.

The mayor of Imperial Beach said the recent closures from the sewage spills present a public health and economic crisis. Businesses and beach visitors have also expressed their frustration.

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Historic Winter Leads to Severe Problems for LA Water Supply Operations at Owens Lake

/in , , /by /ABC 7by Rob McMillan

For over a century, Southern California has taken water from Owens Lake in Inyo County. After record runoff from winter storms, many fear it could cause catastrophic damage to the aqueduct and surrounding areas. Adam Perez, manager of the Los Angeles Aqueduct for the L.A. Department of Water and Power, described the situation as have short-term benefits, but could become a big problem in the long run.

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