“The people in Western Chula Vista and National City are getting ice age, prehistoric water that is incredibly good,” said Michael Garrod, the engineering manager at the Sweetwater Authority during a tour of the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility. “It’s 16,000-year-old water that hasn’t been touched by man’s hands. No pesticides. Nothing in it.”
Over the holidays, I had a chance to get out my crystal ball and look at water issues for the year ahead. Of course, it’s impossible to know exactly what will happen, but here are my predictions about the water-related topics to watch 2018: The return of the water tax proposal. Last summer, an 11th-hour effort emerged in the Legislature to impose – for the first time – a new statewide tax on residential and business water bills. The “water tax” was part of a bill that aims to improve access to safe drinking water for disadvantaged communities.
Here’s a sample of the staggering amount of rain that fell across San Diego County from late Monday to early Wednesday. Most of the rain came on Tuesday. Forecasters say San Diego isn’t likely to get more rain for the next 7-10 days.
A surprisingly strong storm swept through San Diego County on Tuesday, causing scores of traffic accidents, leaving thousands without power, shuttering beaches and sinking at least one boat. While property damage and flooding were limited, the downpour flushed sewage-tainted pollution from Tijuana into South Bay beaches as far north as Coronado. The first major storm of season brought more than 2 inches of precipitation and winds up to 55 mph along parts of the coast and as much as 4 inches in the mountains with 70 mph gusts.
Despite this two-day rain storm that’s wrapping up, overall, we’ve had a very dry fall and winter. Jeff Stephenson, a principal water resources specialist for the San Diego County Water Authority, spoke with Morning Extra about the impact the recent rain will have and how the water supply for 2018 is looking. Visit WaterSmartSD.org for information about low-water landscaping classes, rebate offers, a home water-use calculator and other resources.
In the mountains above coastal Santa Barbara County, the vegetation is typically so deep and lush that it can soak up a half-inch of rainwater before it flows downhill. But that was before the Thomas fire swept through in December, burning those trees and brush to the ground. Now, the rain has no buffer, and that is cause for alarm.
A strong Pacific storm that will hit Southern California early this week could bring up to 1½ inches of rain to San Diego and a dusting of snow to local mountains Tuesday. Forecasters say the storm system will arrive late tonight with a few light showers and increasing winds, with heavier rain, strong winds and snow in mountain areas above the 5,000-foot level by Tuesday.
Officials across the region are preparing for the first major storm of the winter, which could cause significant flooding and property damage and snarl morning and evening rush-hour commutes. The National Weather Service predicted that up to an inch of rain along the coast, and roughly twice that in the mountains, would soak the region starting late Monday night into this morning. Foothill communities above 5,000 feet could see light snow flurries.
After a record setting dry start to our water year, heavy rain is back in SoCal this week. Light rain is falling for the Monday morning commute, with heavier and more widespread showers hitting the region as the day progresses. A flash flood watch goes into effect Monday at 4 p.m. and going though Tuesday night.
Below the streets of La Mesa, a big project is taking place. San Diego’s Water Authority is in the process of relining four miles of pipes that have been around for nearly 60 years. News 8’s Shawn Styles goes underground to give you a closer look at the work.
