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San Vicente Pumped-Storage Electricity Project Moves Ahead

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

The San Diego County Water Authority and city of San Diego have decided to move forward with environmental review of a pumped-storage electricity generating plant at the San Vicente Reservoir in East County.

The project entails creating a new, smaller reservoir above the giant city-owned lake, a tunnel between the two, and underground pump turbines. Water would be pumped to the upper reservoir when there is excess power on the grid, then drawn down to generate electricity when needed.

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Fight Over Controversial Huntington Beach Desal Project Enters Final Lap in March

/in , /by /Voice of OCby Brandon Pho

A 20-year fight over the Poseidon Water company’s contested Huntington Beach desalination proposal will enter its last lap on March 17, the day the California Coastal Commission is set to hear it in what could be the project’s final regulatory hurdle.

Official word on the hearing date came to Voice of OC in a concise Tuesday night email from commission spokesperson Noaki Schwartz:

“Hearing will be March 17.”

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This S.F. Bay Area City Just Had Its Driest January on Record

/in , /by /San Francisco Chronicleby Jessica Flores

Last month was among the driest Januaries on record, according to data collected in cities across the Bay Area, with one South Bay city recording an almost immeasurably small amount of precipitation.

The uniquely dry start to 2022 is expected to continue, according to National Weather Service meteorologists, with little chance of rain expected until mid-February.

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Credit Agencies Cite Water Authority Diversification, Reliability for Strong Ratings

/in , , /by /Water News Network Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The three major U.S. rating agencies reported strong credit ratings and credit quality for the San Diego County Water Authority kicking off 2022. Newly released analysis by Fitch Ratings, S&P Global, and Moody’s allow the Water Authority to optimize its debt portfolio and minimize the cost of financing vital water reliability projects.

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Long-Duration Storage Projects Gaining Steam

/in , , /by /California Currentby Elizabeth McCarthy Mentioned: San Diego Water Authority
Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Just days after the California Energy Commission announced the first application in the state for storage using compressed air, another long-term storage proposal advanced: a 500 MW project that would use pumped storage at the San Vicente Reservoir in eastern San Diego County.

The City of San Diego and the San Diego Water Authority board have begun negotiations with BHE Kiewit, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, on the financing and building terms for the estimated $1.5 billion pumped storage facility. The city and the water agency also approved two contracts totaling $6.2 million for an environmental impact analysis and for preparation of an interconnection agreement with the grid operator plus a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, all on Jan. 27.

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California Snowpack Dwindles After a Dry January

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Hayley Smith

California’s second snow survey of the season arrived on the heels of one of the state’s driest Januarys on record, and officials are warning that a third dry year is possible unless more rain and snow arrive soon.

Surveyors from the California Department of Water Resources gathered Tuesday at Phillips Station near South Lake Tahoe to announce their latest findings. Statewide snowpack has dwindled to 92% of average for the date, they said.

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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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