You are now in Home Headline Media Coverage San Diego County category.

Key Hearing on Poseidon Desalination Plant Delayed Two Months

/in , , /by /The Orange County Registerby Martin Wisckol

Ongoing disagreements between Poseidon Water and state regulators over a proposed desalination plant in Huntington Beach have resulted in a March 17 permit hearing being postponed at the company’s request.

Poseidon is seeking the final permit needed, from the state Coastal Commission, before it can finalize contract terms with the Orange County Water District and begin construction on a controversial, $1.4 billion plant that would produce enough drought-proof water for 400,000 people. The hearing slated for next month is now expected in May.

Full Story

Here’s Why You Might See Red Dye in the Water Near Del Mar Bluffs

/in , /by /FOX 5by Jamie Chambers

Bluff erosion along the coastal city has shut down train travel and endangered beachgoers.

Now, a new test has been set up to understand how rainwater destabilizes the bluffs in Del Mar.

The San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG, is using red dye to color water and then flush it down the storm drains to see where the water runs out of the bluffs into the ocean.

Full Story

PWD to Offer Water Use, Conservation Courses to Customers

/in , /by /Antelope Valley Pressby Allison Gatlin

The Palmdale Water District Board of Directors gave the go-ahead to staff to develop a water education class, which customers could attend in lieu of paying fines for overuse, should mandatory water restrictions be put in place.

Suggested by Director Amberrose Merino, the class is modeled after one used successfully in Santa Cruz in 2014, which offered customers a one-time waiver of fees for overuse if they attended a course about water use and conservation.

“They actually had a really successful program,” Resource and Analytics Supervisor Claudia Bolanos said.

Full Story

Poseidon Vows 100% Clean Energy for Desalination Plant in Huntington Beach

/in , , /by /The Orange County Registerby Martin Wisckol

As Poseidon Water gears up for next month’s final permit hearings on its controversial Huntington Beach desalination proposal, the company signed a non-binding agreement Tuesday, Feb. 22, recognizing a “goal” of 100% clean energy for the massive power needs of the plant.

The surge of new greenhouse gases resulting from those needs is among numerous objections to the operation, and opponents remain skeptical Poseidon will follow through with its 100% clean energy promise.

Full Story

Winter Storm Brings Much Needed Water and Snow to Southern California

/in , , /by /KUSI News

Cold, windy and occasionally wet conditions will continue across San Diego County through Wednesday, with widespread rain and mountain snow possible before things warm up later in the week.

“Hazardous travel is expected, especially through the mountains,” according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning will be in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday in the San Diego County mountains, with snow accumulating up to a foot in some areas, with as much as 18 inches on higher peaks.

Full Story

Biden Says Commercial-Scale Lithium Extraction Possible in Imperial Valley by 2026

/in , , /by /Desert Sunby Erin Rode

As the Imperial Valley begins its transformation into what some are calling Lithium Valley, one company says it could have lithium production at commercial scale by 2026, President Joe Biden said Tuesday at an event with Gov. Gavin Newsom, industry executives, community representatives and labor leaders.

Biden met with the group to announce several investments in domestic production of critical minerals and materials, including lithium extraction in Imperial County.

Full Story

Winners Announced in Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest

/in , , /by /Water News Network

Amateur photographers turned their lenses on skies and streams, coyotes and cactus, and overlooked details in nature to produce seven winning images in the 15th annual Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve photo contest. The winners were announced this week at the Olivenhain Municipal Water District February 2022 board meeting.

The seven photos are now on display in the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty through April 30, 2022. The Escondido Creek Conservancy contributed printing services to showcase one of the North County’s favorite hiking spots.

Full Story

Regional Water Delivery System Repairs Start March 1 in Bonsall

/in , , /by /Village News Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Water Authority is proactively fixing a 90-inch diameter pipeline in Bonsall as part of the agency’s long-term commitment to maintaining regional investments in water supply reliability and affordability.

Water Authority staff detected potential pipeline weaknesses just north of West Lilac Road in late January using real-time acoustic fiber-optic monitoring. This technology locates distressed sections of pipelines even while they are in use as part of the Water Authority’s high-tech asset management program.

Full Story

As Drought Worsens, California Launches Website to Track Statewide Water Conditions

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein

The Department of Water Resources launched a new website to help Californians easily access information on local and statewide water conditions — down to their own region and even neighborhood.

The California Water Watch site was introduced Friday as the state reported the driest January and February since weather records have been kept.

The website provides real-time information on precipitation, temperature, reservoirs, snowpack, groundwater, streamflow, soil moisture and vegetation conditions as well as forecasts.

Full Story

IID Sells Land to HKG, Retains Subsurface Rights

/in , /by /The Desert Reviewby Betty Miller

Imperial Irrigation District has been negotiating with Hell’s Kitchen Geothermal, LLC (HKG) to transfer land near the Salton Sea to the company, plus allow geothermal drilling of the heated brine and mineral extraction.

Recently, IID entered into negotiations with HKG to transfer approximately 3,144 acres, which includes the 1,880 acres currently under lease with HKG. Documents showed at the IID’s regular Feb. 15, meeting that under the proposed transfer, IID would retain its rights to all subsurface resources, including geothermal and mineral resources.

 

Full Story