Media Coverage Archives

Parking, Water, Budget Woes Loom as San Diego City Council Reconvenes in 2026

The San Diego City Council reconvenes on Monday after a two-week winter recess with a host of contentious issues to deal with. One of the first orders of business is a report on the five-year financial outlook of the city’s water and wastewater utility funds. Last October, the council approved two years of steep water rate hikes in order to pay for federally mandated water infrastructure and the rising cost of water purchases.

The financial outlook report, however, states that two years of rate increases will not be enough to keep the utility funds solvent. Finance officials say, barring significant changes in costs or revenues, the city will have to raise water and sewer rates by 11.5% in fiscal year 2028, 11% in fiscal years 2029 and 2030 and 5% in fiscal year 2031.

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First Time in 25 Years: U.S. Drought Monitor Shows No Dry Areas in California

For the first time in 25 years, the US Drought Monitor shows that no area of California is experiencing unusually dry or drought conditions. The Drought Monitor tracks and reports on the development or recovery of short and long-term drought patterns across the U.S.

Experts analyze recent rainfall, snowpack, streamflow, soil moisture and climatology to assess the severity of drought conditions, ranking them on a scale ranging from “abnormally dry” to “extreme drought.”

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U.S., Mexico Reach Long-Sought After Water Shortage Agreement Under 1944 Treaty

January 8, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Lockhart Post-Registerby Anthony Collins

The United States and Mexico have reached a long-sought understanding under the 1944 Water Treaty that promises immediate relief for Texas farmers and ranchers while setting a path to repay years of overdue water deliveries from the Rio Grande.

Under the agreement announced today, Mexico will begin releasing 202,000 acre-feet of water to the United States starting the week of December 15, 2025, addressing obligations from the current five-year treaty cycle and helping repay deficits carried over from the previous cycle. Officials from both nations said negotiations are ongoing, with a comprehensive repayment plan expected to be finalized by January 31, 2026.

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Newsom’s Signature Water Tunnel Is Set Back by California Court Ruling

January 8, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

In a decision that could complicate Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to build a giant water tunnel and remake California’s water system, a state appeals court has rejected the state’s plan for financing the project.

The 3rd District Court of Appeal ruled against the state Department of Water Resources’ plan to issue billions of dollars in bonds to build the 45-mile tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

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Otay Water District Responds to Water Main Break In East County

January 8, 2026/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Sierra Stewart /Fox 5 San Diegoby Rhea Caoile

Officials with the Otay Water District are working to determine what caused a main break in East County near Jamul. The water main break was reported in the area between 12563 and 12575 Old Campo Road between Spring Valley and Jamul on Wednesday.

According to the district, staff are working to identify what led to the main break and determine what repairs are needed.

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New Study Issues Dire Warning About Worsening Conditions in Major U.S. River: ‘The Outlook … Does Not Look Good’

January 7, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /The Cool Downby Alyssa Ochs

The Rio Grande Basin is experiencing pronounced aridification, with a trend toward persistently warmer, drier conditions. These conditions now mark a “new normal” for the region and exemplify a broader pattern among bodies of water worldwide.

As the Alamosa Citizen reported, the Rio Grande Basin experienced atypical weather patterns in 2025, characterized by prolonged warm, dry periods followed by late-season heavy rains.

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Latest Snowpack Measurements Show California Water Supplies in Decent Shape

January 7, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /The LAistby Jacob Margolis

Despite a slow start, California’s snowpack has started to catch up to historical averages for this time of year across the central and southern Sierra Nevada. The northern portion of the mountain range — responsible for roughly 30% of Southern California’s water — continues to lag behind.

The northern Sierra is at 61% of normal, while the central Sierra is at 93%. The southern Sierra is at 114%. Large amounts of Southern California’s water come from the Sierra Nevada.

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California’s Reservoirs on a Path to 3rd Great Water Year

January 7, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Fox 2 KTVUby Tom Vacar

Widespread rains throughout Northern California are pointing to a third straight, great water year, something we cannot take for granted.

Our emphasis is on the overall supply with attention to the six mega reservoirs that hold an almost unbelievable amount of water.

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OPINION: San Diego’s Population Is Growing Faster Than Other CA Metros — Thanks to the City

January 6, 2026/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Sierra Stewart /Times of San Diegoby Bill Fulton

The popular idea in San Diego these days is that we’re not growing – and if we are, it’s probably out in sprawly areas in the North and East County.

But new data from state demographers reveal the opposite is true. In the last three years, San Diego has added more population than any other county in the state except Riverside – and the vast majority of that growth has taken place in the city of San Diego.

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