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Sweetwater Authority Approves $46 Million Budget For Next Fiscal Year

/in , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Hernandez

The Sweetwater Authority anticipates that it will buy less imported water and supply customers with more from its own water supply in the upcoming fiscal year than in 2018-19, thanks primarily to above-average rainfall. The South Bay water agency estimates that the amount it will spend to purchase water will drop from $15.2 million in 2018-19 to $10 million in the fiscal year that begins in July. The projected decrease is reflected in the $46 million operating budget adopted by the governing board last week. Among notable increases in expenses in the 2019-20 spending plan, the Sweetwater Authority expects an 11 percent increase in employer pension contributions and an 8 percent increase in health insurance costs.

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Insects Plague Rancho Santa Fe’s Eucalyptus Trees

/in , /by /Rancho Sante Fe Reviewby Karen Billing

With the spring and onset of summer comes the return of the lerp psyllid insect to Rancho Santa Fe’s trees, an insect that eats up red gum eucalyptus foliage and leaves behind a big mess. The weather being cold and rainy for the last two winters has helped—the lerp psyllid population dies down in the cold months and that, in combination with the abundant rain, has reduced the overall stress on the trees, they are able to sustain themselves a bit better, said Caitlin Kreutz, RSF Association Parks and Recreation assistant manager. But with the return of warmer weather, the lerps are back.

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Fallbrook PUD Offers Plant Vouchers For Sustainable Landscaping

/in , /by /Water News Network

The Fallbrook Public Utility District will offer residents in its service area free low-water or drought-tolerant plants beginning July 1. The district will give qualified residents vouchers redeemable for plants at Silverthorn Ranch Nursery in Fallbrook, which produces plants using recycled water. “Customers will go through an application process and qualified applicants will receive free plants to install in their landscape,” said Mick Cothran, Fallbrook Public Utility District engineering technician. “We want to encourage and help our customers replace turf with plants that don’t require a lot of water, and show them drought tolerant plants can be beautiful additions to their landscaping.”

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Seabin Makes Difference In Cleaning Water In San Diego Marina

/in , /by /KPBS (San Diego)by John Carroll

Pollution in the oceans of the world is a major problem. It’s also a problem close to shore. But a relatively small invention called the Seabin is making a big difference in cleaning San Diego’s coastal waters. In San Diego on Friday, Seabin CEO and co-founder Pete Ceglinski showed KPBS how the device works at Cabrillo Isle Marina on Harbor Island. A container with a fiber lining catches debris and oil, which is sucked into the unit, similar to how a pool filter works. It filters the water and flushes clean water out the bottom. It’s emptied once or twice a day.

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Switchfoot Guitarist Jon Foreman Sings Praises Of San Diego Water Supply Reliability

/in , /by /Water News Network

The San Diego County Water Authority has partnered with San Diego singer and guitarist Jon Foreman of Switchfoot to create a series of videos highlighting the value of water to the region’s economy and quality of life. From sustaining world-famous tourist destinations to making world-class guitars, the San Diego lifestyle wouldn’t be possible without clean and reliable water supplies delivered by the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies. “It takes a huge investment from the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies to maintain the pipes that deliver water across our region,” Foreman says in one of the videos.

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OPINION: Cap-And-Trade Fees Were Supposed To Have Dedicated Uses. Lawmakers Don’t Care.

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribune

In 2006, when California adopted Assembly Bill 32 — the state’s landmark climate change law forcing a long-term shift to cleaner forms of energy — the measure initially faced concerns that it would increase the energy bills of poor households. Lawmakers responded to this concern by including language in the bill that said emission fees paid by polluters in the state cap-and-trade market set up by the measure would be used not just for projects that helped the environment but to limit the measure’s effects — including higher gas prices — on the poor.

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Wave Water Park Proposed For Former Drive-In Site In Oceanside

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Phil Diehl

Zephyr Partners last week floated the idea of a wave water park as part of a development proposed for the former Oceanside drive-in property, more than 90 acres along the San Luis Rey River just east of the city’s airport. The perfect machine-made wave would attract surfers from hundreds of miles away and would capitalize on the city’s beach-town reputation, said Michael Grehl, a senior vice president for Zephyr.

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Long Beach Joins International Dancers To Bring Attention To Water Issues

/in , , /by /Press-Telegram (Long Beach)by Stephanie Stutzman

Dancers are coordinating around the world Saturday to bring attention to water issues that impact global environments. The event is called Global Water Dances and features a collection of dancers from different backgrounds from around the world. The first organized dance happened in 2011 and involved dancers from 67 locations. On Saturday, dancers in more than 150 locations will be participating. Long Beach first performed in 2017, led by artistic director Vannia Ibarguen, at Rosie’s Dog Beach. This year, the performance is happening at Marine Stadium Park, and the public is welcome to spectate as well as participate in the show.

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Teresa Acosta Joins Race For Carlsbad City Council District 4

/in , /by /North Coast Current (Encinitas, Calif.) Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Carlsbad business owner Teresa Acosta announced June 12 that she is running for a seat on the City Council next year, the second non-incumbent in the race for District 4. Acosta joins Phil Urbina, who launched his campaign April 28. The 2020 election will be the second for Carlsbad under a new district-based system of representation. “I am passionate about living in Carlsbad and am running to put my experience, skills, and energies to work on the council to maintain our top-notch quality of life,” Acosta said in her announcement. “I will focus on key infrastructure issues, safe neighborhoods, environmental stewardship, and supporting our local small businesses.”

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San Diego Can Expect ‘June Gloom’ Into Next Weekend

/in , , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Gary Robbins

Those few days of warmth and sunshine San Diego experienced about a week ago suggested that the ‘June gloom’ was coming to an end. But it isn’t. The National Weather Service says the marine layer will thicken and creep inland this week, lasting into the weekend. That will keep daytime high temperatures at or below average for mid-June. The highs will range from 69-72. Full or partial clearing is possible in the late morning or early afternoon at some beaches. But the weather will otherwise be coolish and, in the early morning, drizzly. Forecasters say that inland areas will clear more quickly. Ramona is expected to hit 80 on Wednesday and Thursday.

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