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California Ballot Measure to Build More Reservoirs, Water Projects Dies Due to Lack of Signatures

/in , , /by /The Mercury Timesby Paul Rogers

Supporters of a proposed November ballot measure to provide billions of dollars to build new dams, desalination plants and other large water projects in California announced Tuesday they are ending their campaign due to lack of signatures and funding.

“Despite crafting an initiative that would solve California’s challenge of chronic and worsening water scarcity, and despite recent polling that indicates over 70% of California’s voters support increased state spending on water infrastructure, the campaign has been unable to attract the financial support necessary to gather the required 1 million signatures,” the campaign said in a statement.

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Marin Water District Proposes Prohibiting Decorative Turf

/in , , /by /Marin Independent Journalby Will Houston

The Marin Municipal Water District is proposing a ban on decorative grass at commercial and municipal properties to reduce demand on local reservoir supplies.

The proposal would require most nonfunctional turf be removed over several years. Under the proposal presented by staff last month, commercial properties would be barred from installing new decorative turf beginning in March.

The prohibition would not affect residential properties, churches, homeowners association common areas, sports fields, golf course greens and play areas such as in schools and parks.

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Interior Department Approves $1B to Clean Up Abandoned Wells

/in , /by /US Newsby Drew Costley

The Department of Interior is spending $1.15 billion to cap abandoned oil and gas wells across the United States.

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Otay Water District Invests in Preventive System Maintenance

/in , , /by /Water News Network

As part of its preventive maintenance program to safeguard its water supply and reduce water loss, the Otay Water District is conducting leak inspections of its pipeline system. Leak detection and repair programs save water by ensuring water system integrity. The District uses state-of-the-art equipment to inspect its water distribution system for leaks in pipelines, meters, and valves. The equipment is designed to “listen” for leaks and can pinpoint the location of even the smallest water leak. Once identified, crews will schedule the needed repairs.

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Partners Agree to Move Ahead on 500 MW San Vicente Energy Storage Facility

/in , , /by /Hydro Reviewby Hydro Review Content Directors Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Partners the City of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority will begin negotiations on a project development agreement with the BHE Kiewit Team to develop Phase 1 of the potential 500 MW San Vicente Energy Storage Facility Project.

The proposed project, which could generate enough energy for about 135,000 households, is subject to a full environmental review and regulatory approvals. If the authority and the city decide to proceed after completing environmental review, the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility would provide up to 500 MW of long-duration stored energy to help meet peak electrical demands throughout southern California and help meet California’s renewable energy goals.

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California Drought: Sierra Nevada Snowpack Falls Below Average After Dry January

/in , , /by /The Mercury Timesby Paul Rogers

Like the 49ers fourth-quarter lead in Sunday’s NFC Championship game, California’s once-impressive Sierra Nevada snowpack is steadily shrinking.

Only a month ago on New Year’s Day, after big atmospheric river storms in October and December, the statewide Sierra snowpack stood at an impressive 168% of normal for that date, boosting hopes that the state’s severe drought might be ending.

But on Monday, the magnificent became mediocre: The snowpack had fallen to just 93% of its historical average.

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What Dry January Means for Central California Farmers

/in , , /by /ABC 30by Dale Yurong

The snowpack which feeds into Pine Flat Dam is a healthy one.

It’s a little above average at this point, according to the first snow survey of the season conducted by the Kings River Water Association.

“What we’re told is this is the kind of year, the kind of weather pattern where we get wet sequences followed by extended dry sequences and that’s exactly what we’ve seen this season,” says Kings River Watermaster Steve Haugen.

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Opinion: Water District Must Expand Supply by Reconsidering Desalination Plan

/in , , /by /Marin Independent Journalby Richard Ruben

What exactly is being done to solve Marin County’s drought crisis, which is now entering its fourth year? The simple answer is: Not Enough.

Don’t be fooled by the spate of blessed and brief rains. More severe droughts are practically guaranteed and this one is not yet finished despite rising reservoir levels.

Let’s focus on the bottom-line questions: What can be done to make Marin drought-proof and how much will that cost?

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Opinion: With Budget Surplus, Now is the Time to Fund Vital Water Projects

/in , , /by /Cal Mattersby Jim Nielsen and Andreas Borgeas

Over the past 40 years, California has not completed a major water storage project of statewide significance despite the state’s population nearly doubling.

Without substantial new investments and commitments to capture, store and move water throughout the state, whole communities will be subject to water scarcity and farmers will be unable to produce adequate food supplies, threatening food and national security.

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Dry January and Rain-free Forecast Puts All Hope in a Miracle March

/in , , /by /The Press Democratby Mary Callahan

There’s the kind of Dry January that follows an overly indulgent holiday season, where you swear off alcohol for the first 31 days of the new year.

Then there’s the kind we just had, where, except for a few errant spits of rain, the skies remained clear for an entire month with no significant rain in sight.

It won’t be the first time January has been dry, from a strictly meteorological perspective. And it’s not the worst thing that can happen, assuming there’s been sufficient rain in advance or in the months ahead.

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