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Giant Beach Ball Sparks Countywide Conversations On Water

/in , /by /Water News Network

In the wake of a successful summer kickoff event aboard the USS Midway on June 21, the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies are taking the new Brought To You By Water outreach and education program to events throughout the region this summer, including farmers’ markets, concerts in the park, and street fairs. The program’s visual ambassador — a 10-foot-diameter beach ball emblazoned with the ‘Brought to You by Water’ logo — has proved to be a hit.

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Water Authority Prevails In Open Meetings Lawsuit

/in , /by /San Diego Metro Magazine Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Superior Court Judge John S. Meyer ruled in favor of the San Diego County Water Authority on July 20 in a lawsuit that alleged the agency violated the state’s primary open meetings statute, known as the Brown Act. San Diegans for Open Government, represented by Cory Briggs, sued the Water Authority on June 12, 2017, claiming violations of the Brown Act.

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Inspiring Change At The Water Conservation Garden

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

WaterSmart landscapes are transforming San Diego County’s neighborhoods in part due to the work of Paul Redeker and his colleagues at The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon. “We’re a learning center, not just a place where you’re surrounded by beautiful plants,” said Redeker, who recently returned for a second run as director of horticulture and facilities the garden. “All of our exhibits are geared toward teaching. We are all about educating the public to be inspired to make changes in their lives because we’re literally at the end of the water pipeline.”

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Coping With The Heat Wave? No Sweat. Well, Some Sweat. But Things Could Be Worse

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Gary Robbins, Cliff Kapono and Rob Nikolewski

n the Anza-Borrego desert, where a puff of wind can leave you choking on peach-colored dirt, Andrea Taylor got straight to the point Tuesday when asked to describe the weather. “It’s hotter than hell,” said Taylor, who works in the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association office in Borrego Springs. “I think that’s the official statement.” The temperature peaked at 118 degrees at Borrego Springs on the second day of a heat wave that is expected to last until Thursday, when it fades, like air leaking from a balloon.

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OPINION: Beware: LA County’s $300 Million Rain Tax Is A Blank Check!

/in , /by /City Watch Los Angelesby Jack Humphreville

Even though the County does not have a well-developed stormwater or management plan, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to place on the November ballot a $300 million parcel tax to fund the County’s efforts to prevent stormwater and urban runoff from polluting the LA River, the Santa Monica Bay, and our beaches (the “Rain Tax”). The County is also claiming that its Safe, Clean Water Program will result in “mutual benefits,” including the exaggerated claim that it will capture of significant volumes of stormwater that will eventually be recycled into the local supply of drinking water.

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Environment Report: ‘The Water Department Has Lost The Public’s Trust’

/in , /by /Voice Of San Diegoby Ry Rivard

Three audits of the city of San Diego’s water department are expected to be released in coming days. Already, though, some members of the City Council are pushing for changes at the department, including the possible removal of top officials who struggled to send out accurate water bills and withheld information from the public and the press. Councilman David Alvarez said he no longer has confidence in the department’s leadership, following an investigation by Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 Responds that showed the head of the department tried to dodge oversight.

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Desert Residents Have Been Saving A Lot Of Water. Farms And Golf Courses, Not So Much

/in , /by /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)by Ian James and Evan Wyloge

Every day, millions of gallons of water flow through pipes across the Coachella Valley and pour out to nourish lawns, artificial lakes, farmlands and a total of 121 golf courses. This lush oasis in the desert owes its existence to groundwater pumped from the aquifer and an imported supply of water from the Colorado River. And during the past decade, public records show the area has made progress in using less water overall and in combating the long-term problem of groundwater overdraft.

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Flex Alert To Go Into Effect Tuesday As Scorching Heat Wave Brings Record-Breaking Temps To SoCal

/in , /by /KTLA 5 (Los Angeles)by Cindy Von Quednow and Kacey Montoya

A heat wave that is expected to bring triple-digit temperatures to parts of the southland has prompted state officials to issue a flex alert ahead of the hot weather. Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, according to the National Weather Service. Coastal areas could see temperatures between 85 to 92, while inland areas could reach 92 to 100. Triple digits to 110 are forecasted in local valleys and deserts, according to the weather service.

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State Urges Public To Cut Power Consumption Due To Heat Wave

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

The operator of the state’s electric grid is urging the public to cut power consumption on Tuesday and Wednesday to help California get through what’s expected to be a record-breaking heat wave. The Flex Alerts are the first issued this year by the California Independent System Operator Corp. (CAISO) and will remain in effect from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days. “This heat wave could be like a long one we had in 2006, when lots of records were set and there were power problems,” said Alex Tardy, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Rancho Bernardo.

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Audit Of Water Department Billing Complaints Expected To Be Released Tuesday

/in , /by /NBC 7 (San Diego)by Dorian Hargrove, Tom Jones and Consumer Bob

A highly anticipated City Auditor report examining the city’s response to high water bills is expected to be released on Tuesday.  While the audit is just one of four investigations into a surge of complaints about fluctuating water bills, it will be the first opportunity for elected officials and the public to learn more about what caused the flood of complaints earlier this year.

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