San Diego officials are optimistic that a long-term fix to stop persistent cross-border sewage flows is close. There is now money available and more than two dozen projects are already vetted, but it could still be years before the majority of the flows stop.
The Imperial Irrigation District is celebrating California’s new state budget. In spite of coronavirus-caused spending cuts, it will get the funding it needs for two important environmental projects.
The Orange County Water District has been awarded a $3.6 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) grant program for use toward the construction of its Groundwater Replenishment System Final Expansion project. Operational since 2008, the GWRS is undergoing its second and final expansion.
San Diego County beaches earned nearly one-fourth of the spots on Heal the Bay’s annual Honor Roll for excellent year-round water quality, according to the environmental group report released Tuesday.
According to Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay, 42 out of more than 500 beaches across the state earned spots on the Honor Roll, which is reserved for beaches that score grades of A+ for water quality during all seasons and weather conditions.
Of those 42 beaches, 20 are in Orange County, the most for any county in the state. San Diego County has 10 beaches on the list, including five in Carlsbad. Los Angeles County has three — Palos Verdes Cove, Palos Verdes Long Point and Redondo State Beach at Topaz Street.
The West Basin Municipal Water District announced the completion of a recycled water pipeline at Sares Regis Group’s Torrance Commerce Center on the site of the former Toyota Motor North America Inc. headquarters campus.
The pipeline will use water from the district’s water recycling facility in El Segundo instead of drinking water to irrigate the landscape surrounding three new buildings, according to the June 11 announcement.
Ten San Diego beaches scored perfect marks, while one Mission Bay location failed to make the grade, on the 30th annual “Beach Report Card” by the nonprofit Heal the Bay.
The annual report assigns letter grades to beaches, based on bacteria levels found in water samples throughout the year. Those grades represent an effort to translate scientific test results into readily understandable information for beachgoers.
Tim and Brianna Montgomery of La Mesa transformed a thirsty lawn to a welcoming, water-efficient English inspired cottage landscaping, winning the Helix Water District 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The contest is an annual competition recognizing outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on overall attractiveness, design, efficient irrigation, and appropriate plant selection and maintenance.
With no increase to ratepayers for the foreseeable future, the Helix Water District’s governing board passed the district’s fiscal year 2020-21 budget earlier this month.
This year’s budget of $80.1 million is only slightly above last year, which was $79.5 million.
A rare storm that dropped at least one-tenth of an inch of rain on much of the county Monday morning made this the wettest June in San Diego in at least 25 years.
“Did someone forget to call Mother Nature to let her know it’s almost July?” the local National Weather Service office asked on Twitter.
As coronavirus beach restrictions continue to complicate summer plans, Californians have at least one thing to look forward to: Most of the coast is much cleaner than in years past.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
