You are now in Media Coverage San Diego County category.

California and six other states that rely on the Colorado River have been unable to agree on how to divide its water for years. Now, the federal government is stepping in to decide. As early as this week, the federal government may adopt new rules for sharing water on the drought-stricken river. The Lower Basin states, which include California, are expected to face major cutbacks.

KJZZ reporter Alex Hager has been following the anticipated federal plan. He joined Midday Edition on Wednesday to discuss the impacts the new rules could have on cities like San Diego, which has long depended on the Colorado River but now has excess water to sell.

Monday is slated to be hot and humid once again as a heat advisory and an extreme heat warning remain in effect for San Diego.

A heat advisory continues for the coast, inland valleys and mountains until 8 p.m. Monday. The extreme heat warning also continues for the deserts until 8 p.m. Monday.

Most people who spend some time in San Diego understand that it’s a coastal desert city. “Desert” being the main word here. Because of this understanding, many adjust their behavior into conserving a desert’s most priceless commodity: water.

People take out their green grass and plant cacti and succulents; they don’t wash their car as much; they use less water in their normal day-to-day living and chores. And up to now, those residents who use less water were rewarded by a city of San Diego water rate system in which customers who use less water paid a lower rate, and those who use more water paid more.

Near seasonal temperatures are expected through the first half of the week in San Diego County, with an increase in both high and low temperatures for the middle to end of the week, the National Weather Service said Sunday.

An isolated shower or two may develop over the highest mountain peaks Sunday and Monday afternoon, with no impacts expected and drier conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NWS said. There is an increased chance for afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms over the mountains Thursday and Friday.

When I was a budding water reporter at Voice, I knew – if I was confused, which I often was – I could call Gary Arant and he’d set me straight.

The former general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District stood out among the San Diego County Water Authority’s 34 board members because he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind – in a loveable, grouchy grandfather kind of way.