You are now in California and the U.S. Home Headline Media Coverage category.

Californians Cut Water Use 13% in October; Still Behind Goal

/in , , /by /AP Newsby Kathleen Ronayne

Californians stepped up their water conservation in October, a move made easier by a massive storm that dumped record rain in some parts of the state but still wasn’t enough to combat the drought.

Collectively, people reduced their water use by 13.2% compared to last October, a major jump from prior months when water conservation lagged. Still, total water usage is down just 6% since July compared to the same period last year, far short of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 15% goal.

Full Story

Drought-Tolerant Plant Giveaway Popular in Fallbrook

/in , , /by /Water News Network

More than 130 people took advantage of a drought-tolerant plant giveaway program offered by the Fallbrook Public Utility District. Since picking up their free succulents in November, homeowners have started their drought-tolerant home garden projects.

Participants were provided empty flats and invited to select from an assortment of three-inch potted succulents to suit their needs. Each person took home approximately 28 plants.

Full Story

10 Minutes With Sandra Kerl

/in , , /by /Brown and Caldwellby Wendy Broley and Mike Puccio Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl recently sat down with Brown and Caldwell’s Wendy Broley, director of technical practices, and Mike Puccio, Southern California operations director, to talk about her experience dealing with unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, and drought.

Full Story

California Considers $500 Fines for Water Wasters as Drought Worsens, Conservation Lags

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

As California descends deeper into drought, officials are growing increasingly troubled by dwindling water supplies and the public’s lackluster response to calls for conservation, with residents in recent months falling short of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for a voluntary 15% reduction in usage.

Now, as the West tips toward crisis, state water regulators are considering adopting emergency regulations that will prohibit certain actions in an attempt to curtail water waste and help conserve supplies.

If approved, the proposal could usher in a wave of water regulations that hearken back to previous droughts while underscoring the seriousness of the current one.

Full Story

Camarillo Doubles Potable Water Supply with New Desalination Plant

/in , , /by /WaterWorld Magazine

The city of Camarillo, Calif. has announced the start-up and commissioning of its North Pleasant Valley Groundwater Desalter Plant, moving the city closer to a more self-reliant potable water future.

Full Story

More Rain On the Way for San Diego

/in , /by /KPBS-FM/TVby Leslie Gonzalez

San Diego County got some precipitation Tuesday morning, and more rain is expected Thursday. But it’s a drop in the bucket since the county’s last storm in October.

National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Tardy said San Diego County is expected to receive .01 to .05 inches of rain Tuesday, and heavier rainfall, approximately .25 to .50 inches, on Thursday over Valley Center and Alpine.

“There will be no major storm. We can expect Pacific storms to bring in colder weather, which will replace the dry air and reduce fuel weather (fires),” he said.

Full Story

Officials Sign California-Denmark Water Collaboration Agreement

/in , /by /WaterWorld Magazine

On Nov. 30 the city of Oceanside, Calif. and Denmark officials celebrated the signing of the California-Denmark agreement for water sector collaboration on Water Technology Day 2021.

The memorandum of understanding is between the Danish Water Technology Alliance and the San Diego Regional Water Tech Alliance. The Danish Water Technology Alliance builds bridges between the North American and Danish water sector, with the aim of sharing information and fostering collaboration.

The event was held at Oceanside’s San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility in the Pure Water Oceanside center, to highlight the project and educate the delegation. Pure Water Oceanside will be the first water reuse project to go online in San Diego County. Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez and Water Utilities Director Cari Dale received the Minister for the Environment of Denmark, and her delegation, to provide a tour of the project and discussed a shared alliance to local, national, and international water security.

Full Story

Utilities Tap Water ‘Microgrid’ Tech for New Supply

/in , /by /E&E Newsby Jeremy P. Jacobs

As drought continues to strangle the American West, some small water providers are exploring new technologies to boost their supplies.

The technologies range in size and scope. One involves towing buoys off the coast of California that desalinate water and pipe it ashore. Another can recycle nearly all the water within an apartment building on site.

Full Story

Judge Reviews Biological Opinions in Water Dispute

/in , /by /AgAlertby Christine Souza

A federal judge is reviewing a proposed order requesting approval of an interim operations plan for 2022 that would affect Central Valley Project and State Water Project agricultural water users.

U.S. District Court Judge Dale Drozd in Fresno is reviewing legal filings submitted last month by the Biden administration in consultation with the Newsom administration.

 

Full Story

Opinion: Desalination Plant Company Not Shy About Asking for Government Handouts

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Steve Lopez

We all know we’re in the midst of a terrible drought in California.

And we all know we’ve got an 1,100-mile coastline.

Is desalination the answer to our problems?

No. It comes after water conservation and recycling, and is just one tool among many that might prevent the state from going dry.

Full Story