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Winter Storm Brings Much Needed Water and Snow to Southern California

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.

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

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.

Winners Announced in Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Photo Contest

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.

Regional Water Delivery System Repairs Start March 1 in Bonsall

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.

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

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.

IID Sells Land to HKG, Retains Subsurface Rights

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.

 

Oceanside Water Utilities Staff Honored at the California Water Environment Association Awards Banquet

On January 29, 2022, City of Oceanside Water Utilities employees were honored at the annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) San Diego awards banquet. Four City employees from the San Luis Rey Wastewater Treatment Plant were appointed to the CWEA Board, while another received a prestigious award for his outstanding service and exemplary work in the maintenance field. Mike Mensing, Mechanical Technologist I, was awarded the title of Mechanical Tech of the Year for the San Diego CWEA Section.

Why Are San Diego Water Rates So High?

Conservation efforts combined with projects across San Diego are playing a role in putting the county in a better position to weather a drought, but is also leaving the county with some of the highest water rates in the state — higher than Los Angeles County.

A new report by Arizona State University environmental economist Michael Hanemann offers an analysis of water rates in San Diego County. He found that the San Diego County Water Authority’s wholesale rate for untreated water is $400 more per acre-foot than the Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles.

EMWD Receives $4.5 Million Funding Authorization for Desalination Program

Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) this month was awarded nearly $4.5 million by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to further expand EMWD’s groundwater desalination infrastructure.

EMWD has long been one of the most successful agencies in the nation at working with state and federal funding partners to secure external funding opportunities, helping to reduce the cost of infrastructure construction that would otherwise be paid for by customers.

Think Blue San Diego Relaunches

San Diego, California, is relaunching the new and improved Think Blue San Diego.

This is a public awareness effort to educate people on how a modern storm water system helps ensure clean water and clean beaches for the future.

Think Blue San Diego is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, reported the city.