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Vallecitos Water District Wins Awards for Sonic Tech Disrupting Algae Blooms

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Debbie Sklar

The Vallecitos Water District received two awards for its innovative use of technology to reduce algae blooms at Mahr Reservoir, it was announced Thursday. The district received the “Excellence in Action” national award from the WateReuse Association and the “Innovation and Resiliency” state award from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies for its use of an ultrasound technology to address water quality at the Stanley A. Mahr Reservoir with a reduced need for chemical treatment.

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Encina Power Station Demolition Begins

/in , , /by /North County Daily Star

NRG Energy began demolition of the 400-foot Encina Power Station stack this week. The apparatus mounted around the top of the stack, known as the Mende Spider, is equipped with a jackhammer that breaks the concrete in a cylindrical pattern; the pieces of the stack fall through the center of the stack and are recovered from the bottom. NRG estimates the device will remove the stack about 10 feet per day. At this rate, NRG anticipates removing the top 350 feet of the Encina stack by the end of April. The remaining 50 feet will be removed from the ground by an excavator.

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California Weighs Changes for New Water Rights Permits in Response to a Warmer and Drier Climate

/in , , /by /Western Water (Water Education Foundation)by Gary Pitzer

As California’s seasons become warmer and drier, state officials are pondering whether the water rights permitting system needs revising to better reflect the reality of climate change’s effect on the timing and volume of the state’s water supply. A report for the State Water Resources Control Board recommends tailoring new water rights permits to California’s increasingly volatile hydrology. And it warns that the increasingly whiplash nature of California’s changing climate could require existing rights holders to curtail diversions more often and in more watersheds — or open opportunities to grab more water in climate-induced floods.

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America’s Obsession With Wipes is Tearing Up Sewer Systems

/in , , /by /Bloomberg CityLabby Gerald Porter Jr.

Across the U.S., cities and towns are being forced to throw more money at solving blockages as consumers buy (and flush) more wipes than ever. Even before the pandemic, Americans were already flushing far too many wipes into the sewer system. After a year of staying at home, the pipe-clogging problem has gotten worse.

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Opinion: Too Many in Arizona Lack Water Security. It’s Time to Rethink How We Manage It

/in , , /by /AZ Centralby Chris Kuzdas and Haley Paul

The past year has shown Arizonans how critical water is to all we hold dear. It’s a pillar of public health, a precious and finite resource, and the lifeblood of our economy and food production.

Water is essential for life, and climate change is shrinking already scarce supplies. Fortunately, we also know what we can do now to help safeguard our water.

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The Water Tap: Utah’s Exceptional Drought Calls for Exceptional Measures. Or Does It?

/in , /by /The Spectrumby Joan Meiners

Last week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order declaring a statewide drought emergency. In the press release that followed, he urged Utahns to “evaluate their water use and find ways to save not only because of current drought conditions but also because we live in one of the driest states in the nation.”

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Ban On U.S. Water Shutoffs Could Have Prevented Thousands of Covid Deaths – Study

/in , , /by /The Guardianby Nina Lakhani

A national moratorium on water shutoffs could have prevented almost half a million Covid infections and saved at least 9,000 lives, according to new research. Good hygiene is essential to preventing the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. Amid pressure from public health experts and rights groups, hundreds of utilities and states suspended disconnections for overdue bills to ensure households kept running water for hand-washing and sanitation.

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California Water Officials Tell Communities To Prepare For Potential Water Shortages

/in , , /by /CBS Sacramentoby Anna Giles

An extra dry summer with potential for water shortages – that’s what state and federal officials are telling Californians to prepare for.

Predictions for 2021 are bleak. Lake levels are low and the Sacramento region is not getting the spring showers many hoped for.

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San Diego May Propose 28 Percent Sewer Rate Hikes for Single-Family Homes

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Garrick Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Sewer rates for San Diegans in single-family homes would increase nearly 19 percent next year and a total of 28 percent over the next four years under a new city proposal.

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California’s Drought is Back, but Nobody Wants to Hear it from Newsom

/in , /by /Politicoby Debra Kahn

California’s drought conditions might normally prompt calls for shorter showers and shutting off sprinklers. But Californians are in no mood to hear it after a year of pandemic deprivation. Especially from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is facing an almost certain recall election after imposing multiple rounds of business closures and constantly telling residents to stay home.

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