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Water District Plans Increase of Recycled Wastewater

/in , , /by /The Malibu Timesby Jimy Tallal

Department of Water Resources (DWR) officials announced they were cutting State Water Project allocations from 15 percent of what had been requested by water districts to 5 percent, due to extremely dry conditions. The State Water Project is just one of Malibu’s water suppliers — other sources include groundwater and the Colorado River.

“We’re experiencing climate change whiplash in real time, with extreme swings between wet and dry conditions. That means adjusting quickly based on the data and the science,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth in a prepared statement.

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Strong Front Is Soaking Southern California, Triggering Flood Alerts

/in , , /by /The Washington Postby Jason Samenow and Mike Branom

Flood advisories and warnings are up for parts of Southern California as a vigorous storm system from the Pacific Ocean sweeps across the region. The rain is welcome news given the drought conditions, but the intense downpours could prove disruptive.

The National Weather Service is predicting widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches through Monday in much of southwest California, with locally higher amounts possible. Snowfall of 8 to 18 inches is predicted in the mountains above 6,000 feet, where winter storm warnings are in effect.

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No March Miracle: Bay Area, California Remains In Drought As End Of Rainy Season Arrives

/in , , /by /CBS SF BayAreaby Wilson Walker

Approaching rain this weekend is something of an ironic twist to a very disappointing winter, as California will end its rainy season, deep in drought. This year, there will be no miracle.

“That’s right, we do have a miracle Marches,” said Nelsy Rodriguez with the East Bay Municipal Utility District. “Every few years we do get a big downpour in March.”

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New Book Explores Relationship of Salton Sea and People Throughout History

/in , , /by /The Press-Enterpriseby Ruth Nolan

The Salton Sea: The very name conjures images of a one time dazzling inland Riviera and beachy playground of the Rat Pack situated in the depths of eastern Riverside and Imperial counties’ remotest deserts. It also brings to mind, for some, images of a curious, modern-day wasteland, rife with the ruins of old trailers spray-painted with graffiti art, abandoned ski boats and a rapidly receding shoreline.

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Why Californians Have Been Saving Less Water in 2022

/in , , /by /The New York Timesby Soumya Karlamangla

The latest figures on California’s water conservation are in, and they’re pretty dismal.

Despite calls to reduce consumption during our punishing drought, Californians used 2.6 percent more water in January compared with the same month in 2020, according to state data. The figures for February and March are unlikely to be much better.

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San Joaquin County Agricultural Industry Has Avoided Worst of California’s Drought

/in , , /by /Recordnet.comby Aaron Leathley

San Joaquin County has avoided the worst impacts of the drought, which has cost California $1.7 billion and more than 14,000 jobs, a recent report found.

Surface water conditions in the San Joaquin Valley are less severe than during the 2012-16 drought, and are better in the north valley than in the south, the report by University of California researchers found.

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The Deceptively Simple Plan to Replenish California’s Groundwater

/in , , /by /National Geographicby Alejandra Borunda

From afar, the rows of knobby grapevines blend into the landscape of pink-blossomed almond trees and fragrant citrus. But get up close and you’ll see something strange: The trunks of the vines are standing in several inches of glistening, precious water.

These grapes, at the Kearney Agricultural Research Center in California’s San Joaquin Valley, are part of a grand experiment that many hope will help solve the state’s deepening water crisis.

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New EPA Regional Administrator Tackles Water Needs with a Wealth of Experience and $1 Billion in Federal Funding

/in , , /by /Western Water (Water Education Foundation)by Douglas E. Beeman

Martha Guzman recalls those awful days working on water and other issues as a deputy legislative secretary for then-Gov. Jerry Brown. California was mired in a recession and the state’s finances were deep in the red. Parks were cut, schools were cut, programs were cut to try to balance a troubled state budget in what she remembers as “that terrible time.”

She now finds herself in a strikingly different position: As administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 9, she has a mandate to address water challenges across California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii and $1 billion to help pay for it. Guzman called it the “absolutely greatest opportunity.”

Guzman talked with Western Water about how her past experiences are informing her work at EPA, some of the top priorities in EPA Region 9 and how the federal bipartisan infrastructure funding law is providing a unique opportunity to address the region’s water needs, including for tribal nations and disadvantaged communities.

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LADWP Water Conservation Rebates Increase Amid Drought

/in , , /by /NBC 4by City News Service

Amid a historic drought in California, water conservation rebates were increased by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Thursday, offering residential customers $500 rebates for high-efficiency clothes-washer purchases and $250 for water-efficient toilet purchases.

The rebates were previously $400 for high-efficiency washers, which use up to 55% less water than standard ones. According to the DWP, the more efficient appliances can reduce water use by more than 11,000 gallons per year.

DWP’s rebates for water-efficient toilets were previously $150. Rebate eligible toilets use more than 30% less water than standard models.

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State Allocates Another $29.8 Million to Friant-Kern Repairs

/in , , /by /The Porterville Recorder

On Thursday, the State Department of Water Resources, DWR, announced it second round of allocation for the ongoing repairs of the Friant-Kern Canal, this time allocating $29.8 million.

In November of last year, DWR announced an initial allocation of $39.2 million for the Friant-Kern Canal repairs. The funds being allocated by DWR were included in the state budget.

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