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‘The Air is Toxic’: How An Idyllic California Lake Became a Nightmare

/in , /by /The Guardian

Just to be safe, Noemí Vázquez keeps inhalers in almost every room of her house. She stashes them in her kitchen cupboard, a couple in her purse, one in the bathroom, and, of course, by her bedside.

And then there’s the large, black Puma knapsack where she keeps her nebulizer, several inhalers, and the montelukast pills she takes to treat her wheezing. Her four-year-old granddaughter has her own asthma kit – a neon pink and purple Trolls-themed lunch box that holds a small, child-sized nebulizer and a few inhalers. “She’s smart! She knows: this is her bag,” Vázquez said.

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Helix Water District Moving Forward With Water Shutoffs

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Karen Pearlman

Helix Water District, which provides water for much of East County, will reinstate late fees starting in August and renew water shutoffs on Oct. 1.

The utility’s governing board voted 4-1 on Wednesday to support staff’s decision to bring back late fees and shutoffs for nonpayment. Customers suffering financial hardship had been given a grace period during the pandemic.

The district currently has 546 accounts in arrears for a total of more than $470,000. Helix officials say that 475 of those accounts are residential.

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San Diego Gets State Funding for Ocean Beach Pier Repairs, Energy Storage, Pure Water Program

/in , , /by /10 News San Diegoby Mark Saunders Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

A windfall of state funding is coming to San Diego, including money for Ocean Beach Pier repairs, an energy-storage project at San Vicente Reservoir, and the city’s Pure Water program.

Money from California’s state budget, signed last week, will fund the series of San Diego projects and programs.

“The dollars that San Diego is receiving from the state will upgrade critical infrastructure, help us fight homelessness, ensure a reliable supply of clean water, enhance our arts and culture and much more,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said.

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SoCal Has Water Reserves That Will Last Through This Year, Beyond

/in , , /by /Spectrum News 1by Sarah Pilla

One of the keys to solving the effects of severe drought in California by keeping the water supply high is drought-tolerant landscaping.

Jerry Kohn, CEO of Edify Landscape Design, said it makes all the difference in conserving water compared to grass yards.

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Why Southern California Has Largely Been Spared by the State’s Worst Drought Conditions

/in , , /by /KCRWby Caleigh Wells

Los Angeles received less than half its average rainfall last year, most of the state is in a drought emergency, and Governor Gavin Newsom has asked all residents to reduce their water usage by 15%. But a stroll through any well-watered neighborhood in Southern California would suggest otherwise.

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Trio of Waterwise Landscapes Win Vista 2021 Contest

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

Three homeowners in the Vista Irrigation District won recognition recently from the VID board of directors in its 2021 WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

The annual contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient irrigation methods.

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Setting Objectives for Waterwise Landscaping Success

/in , , /by /Water News Network

It takes time to learn about the concepts behind the watershed approach to creating a healthy and sustainable landscape. Once you have these concepts mastered, the most important step of all comes next.  Consider the goals you want to achieve in your garden for landscaping success.

It might be difficult to know where to start. Many people accept an ocean of green but thirsty lawn and never give much thought to landscaping goals. Consider one of these worthy objectives.

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State Budget Earmarks Millions for Pure Water, OB Pier, Other San Diego Projects

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby City News Service

San Diego leaders highlighted some major projects and programs Wednesday that will receive millions of dollars from California’s $262.6 billion budget, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last week.

“The dollars that San Diego is receiving from the state will upgrade critical infrastructure, help us fight homelessness, ensure a reliable supply of clean water, enhance our arts and culture and much more,” Mayor Todd Gloria said at a news conference held at Ocean Beach pier.

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Ramona Water District Directors Looking at Increasing Staff and Eliminating Sewer Rate Increase

/in , , /by /Ramona Sentinelby Julie Gallant

Ramona Municipal Water District directors will review the 2021-22 budget over the next month to decide, among other things, if the district should hire more staff and follow through on sewer rate increases.

Although the water district directors approved the budget in June 2020 as part of a two-year budget package, they will consider making updates based on staffing impacts from General Manager David Barnum’s retirement earlier this year and the decision to phase out the untreated water system to save the district $42 million in deferred maintenance costs and $1.2 million in annual maintenance costs.

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Proposed San Diego Sewer Rate Spike for Single-Family Homes Moves to September Vote

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Garrick

Sewer rates for San Diegans in single-family homes would increase nearly 17 percent next year and a total of 31 percent over the next four years under a revised rate hike proposal scheduled for a Sept. 21 City Council vote.

The proposal would reduce sewer rates for most businesses, condos and apartments based on two comprehensive studies showing those customers have been paying too much, while single-family homes haven’t been paying enough.

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