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60,000 Gallons of Sewage Spills in Escondido

Up to 60,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the storm drain system that goes to Lake Hodges just before 11 a.m. Sunday, according to the City of Escondido. The sewage spill happened in the Westfield Mall parking lot off Interstate 15 in south Escondido. City workers secured the broken line and a nearby pump station by 1 p.m. Sunday. The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and State Office of Emergency Services all responded.

OPINION: Editorial: Where to Now on L.A. Water, Mr. Mayor?

After Tuesday’s vote by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to participate in a giant water delivery project more than 300 miles to the north, Los Angeles is left to wonder: Are we all in on the delta tunnels and their $17 billion price tag ($4.3 billion for Southern California)? Are we all out? Does Mayor Eric Garcetti have a better alternative, and will he try to stop the tunnels project from moving forward?

San Diego waterways are not being tested for hepatitis amid health crisis

No one is monitoring San Diego’s surface water for hepatitis A, even amid a deadly, human waste-fueled outbreak of the disease that can spread through area waterways.

That’s according to a letter from federal officials to U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, who last month asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take “the immediate steps necessary” to address potential waterborne transmission of the viral liver infection that has killed 18 people and sickened nearly 500 others since November.

October 7-15 Was…. Water (And Wastewater) Professionals Week: Honoring The “Silent Service.”

With the recent passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 80, October 7-15 was officially designated as “Water Professionals Week.” SCR 80, authored by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), was sponsored by a coalition of state water, wastewater and utility associations, including the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) to bring recognition to the service and contributions by the water and wastewater professionals serving the various communities across California.

A Concrete Border-Sewage-Collection Basin Plan

With the governor’s signature late Monday (October 9th), $2.1 million in state funding is on its way to the Tijuana River Valley — some of it earmarked to deal with the sewage, trash, and sediment that enters the U.S. along the border. Senate Bill 507 allocates $500,000 to update the feasibility study for capturing, controlling, and treating the waste and water that currently enters the river valley from Mexico. State senator Ben Hueso and assemblyman Todd Gloria promised to seek the funding in May.

San Diego Offers Lawn Rebate To Encourage Water Conservation

The City of San Diego now offers a rebate to encourage its water customers to conserve water by removing their water thirsty grass and installing water-wise material and efficient irrigation systems. The City’s Public Utilities Department water customers can receive a rebate up to $4,250 for residential owners and $17,000 for commercial owners. “This rebate will allow customers to become empowered in their efforts to save money on their water bills,” said Halla Razak, Director of Public Utilities.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Lends Support to Huntington Beach Desalination Project

As supporters and opponents of a proposed Huntington Beach desalination project gear up for a key meeting before the State Lands Commission, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has weighed in. In a letter to the Commission, the senior senator from California gave her endorsement to the Poseidon Water project, saying it would ” provide potable water to meet documented demand within Orange County.” Feinstein joins a long list of state political and water officials leaders, including former Senate colleague Barbara Boxer, in support of the proposed $1 billion plant to be built by Poseidon Water to provide 50 million gallons per day or enough for 400,000 residents.

OPINION: San Diego Desalination Project Should be Lesson to Orange County

Orange County water customers have a lot at stake as a proposed billion-dollar desalination project heads to the California State Lands Commission for approval. As expected, Poseidon, the plant’s developer, is making last-minute promises about the Huntington Beach project to appease concerns that have dogged the company for years. I’ve heard Poseidon’s promises before, in San Diego County, where we fought to stop them from building a virtually identical desalination plant.

OPINION: Why San Diego’s Desalination Project Should be Replicated

In December 2015, during California’s most recent drought, Poseidon Water opened a seawater desalination facility in Carlsbad which has since produced over 22 billion gallons of high-quality, drought-proof drinking water for San Diego County. As a United States senator, much of my work included finding innovative solutions to address climate change which would reduce Californian’s pain in the face of predicted droughts. As such, I supported the Carlsbad project and it pleases me that such a huge majority of Californians support seawater desalination as well.

Solana Beach OKs 2nd Phase Of Community Energy

Solana Beach took another step Wednesday toward becoming the first city in San Diego County to provide its residents with a renewable alternative to electricity provided by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. City Council members agreed to enter the second of three phases that would lead to the creation and operation of a community choice aggregation, or CCA, as early as next year through a partnership with two private companies that would oversee its maintenance and operation. Other cities would be welcome to join the partnership, they said.