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A Massive Aquifer Lies Beneath The Mojave Desert. Could It Help Solve California’s Water Problem?

/in , /by /The Washington Postby Scott Wilson

The landscape here is more Martian than Earthly, rust and tan plains that rise in the distance to form the Old Woman Mountains to the east and the Bristols and Marbles to the north and west. Almost everything here is protected by the federal government. The opportunity or threat, depending on your point of view, lies beneath the dusty surface that, after a recent rain, blooms with sprays of yellow desert dandelion. There is water here in the Mojave Desert. A lot of it.

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OPINION: Why Are We Still Conserving Water?

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Steven P. Dinkin

The National Conflict Resolution Center handles many disputes involving minor family tensions that escalate into major sources of friction. We explore this category today with an example of a couple locked in disagreement over water conservation practices. Partner A, who grudgingly agreed to curtail water usage during the drought, believes the current onslaught of rain is a license to take long showers and run the tap while brushing teeth. Partner B, who is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, sees no reason to backslide into wasteful habits. Like most domestic standoffs, this was prompted by a “presenting issue” (an argument over water conservation), but it involves more complex challenges of handling 24/7 diverging views and clashing priorities.

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First Of Three Back-To-Back Storms Moves Into San Diego County

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

The first of three moderate rain storms spread out across San Diego County Saturday, where it dropped up to a half-inch of rain at the coast, according to the National Weather Service. As of 4 p.m., the fairly warm system from the central Pacific had soaked Solana Beach with 0.52 inches, Fallbrook with 0.72 inches and Palomar Mountain with 1.48 inches. Other areas saw much less precipitation, such as the San Diego International Airport with only 0.17 inches. A wind advisory is in effect until midnight in the mountains. Forecasters say isolated showers could last into Sunday.

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Oceanside Takes Step Toward Water Independence With $2.6 Million Grant

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Phil Diehl Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Oceanside announced it will receive a $2.6 million federal grant to build two more of the wells that the city has used for more than 20 years to supply a portion of its drinking water. The wells pump brackish water from what’s called the Mission Basin, an area near the airport, the old swap meet property and the San Luis Rey River. The city filters the water using the same reverse osmosis process used on a much larger scale in Carlsbad to desalinate seawater.

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How Atmospheric River Storms Tamed California’s Drought

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

California’s unusually wet and cold winter has caused epic snow, serious flooding and a renewed interest in umbrellas and portable heaters. But the atmospheric river storms have also put a huge dent in the state’s water woes — at least for now. It’s common in a wet winter, though not a guarantee. Here’s a rundown on how this winter’s storms have affected California, from the pages of The Times.

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Get Up To $250 In Drought-Resistant Plants Thanks To New Program

/in , /by /Monrovia Patch (Monrovia, Calif.)by Emily Holland

The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is launching the region’s first ever Residential Plant Voucher Program to incentivize residents to transform their landscapes with drought-tolerant plants and develop water-efficient gardening practices, it was announced Friday. The program will provide up to $250 dollars of water efficient plants from Garden View Nursery to qualifying residents, the water district press release said. The nursery was picked because it’s centrally located within Upper District’s area of service in Irwindale and has a wide selection of native plants and trees, the press release said.

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Hearing Tuesday On Water, Sewer Rates

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Steve Dreyer

Proposed increases in city water and sewer rates will be the subject of a City Council public hearing on Tuesday night. City staff is recommending the water commodity (use) rate increase by 4.5 percent and the fixed water meter charge be increased by 7.5 percent. The staff report also recommends a 3.35 percent increase in the sewer commodity rate and a 3.25 percent hike in the sewer service charge. However, the temporary Drought Recovery Surcharge, in effect since January 2016, expired Dec. 30, meaning customers began receiving a 75-cent-per-unit break on their bills last month. A unit is 748 gallons. Assuming a single-family household uses 25 units of water the bi-monthly bill has included a $16.50 surcharge.

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New Water Authority Chief Named

/in , /by /The Voice of San Diego Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The Board of Directors of the San Diego County Water Authority announced out of closed session that they had made Deputy General Manager Sandy Kerl the acting general manager of the agency. She begins in that role March 1. Current General Manager Maureen Stapleton announced her retirement recently. But she won’t retire right away. She will use almost a year and a half of accrued vacation to stay on the books until July 2020, when she will officially retire. Stapleton got a round of kudos from her counterparts.

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Stapleton Celebrated For Decades Of Leadership In San Diego Region

/in , /by /Water News Network

State and federal dignitaries praised retiring San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton today for decades of public service and her achievements in securing safe and reliable water supplies for the region. Stapleton announced her retirement from the Water Authority earlier this month, prompting several commendations during the Water Authority Board of Directors regular February meeting. California U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein said in a letter that she valued Stapleton’s expertise on water issues. “During your more than 40 years of public service, you have demonstrated a deep commitment to your profession and the region,” wrote Feinstein.

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OMWD Recognized For Water Advocacy In Washington

/in , , /by /Del Mar Times

The Association of California Water Agencies recognized Olivenhain Municipal Water District Feb. 27 with its “Most Effective Agency on Federal Issues” award. The award was presented to OMWD General Manager Kimberly Thorner at ACWA’s annual conference in Washington, DC. In 2018, OMWD engaged House and Senate committees as well as staff from the US Bureau of Reclamation and Government Accountability Office on the Title XVI program that facilitates water reclamation and reuse. The program has been an important funding mechanism for the development of recycled water infrastructure that ultimately increases the reliability of California’s increasingly taxed water supplies.

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