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An exciting concept is emerging in San Diego County that could reduce pressure on water rates across the region and expand opportunities for renewable energy. The system under consideration is essentially an incredible “battery” that could store up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy. There’s still a lot of work to be done to determine whether this idea pencils out — but it’s important even at this early stage because it highlights how the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies are continually seeking ways to make the best use of the region’s water infrastructure.

San Diego Unified officials have shut off some drinking fountains at district headquarters after high levels of lead were discovered in the water. Bottled water is being provided to employees and the public at the Education Center, a district spokesman said. Water was discovered at 18 parts per billion (ppb) at the Education Center in the 4100 block of Normal Street where the school board meets, a spokesman confirmed Tuesday.

After years of planning for one of the biggest California water projects in decades, a key question remains unanswered: Who exactly will pay for it? Decision time is approaching for the agencies that will have to pick up the nearly $17-billion tab for building two massive water tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the heart of the state’s water works.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) released its final white paper on paying for the California WaterFix project yesterday. Based on my initial review, as discussed below the white paper relies on two inaccurate assumptions, which significantly bias the analysis and conclusions and provides the Board of Directors with misleading and inaccurate information.

If California ratepayers were asked whether residents and businesses should be forced to pay more than the reasonable cost of delivering water to their taps, I’d bet my bottom dollar that virtually all of them would respond in the strongest possible terms: That’s not fair or legal. Essentially the same question is at the heart of the San Diego County Water Authority’s July 31 petition for review by the state Supreme Court: Can the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California charge San Diego County more than the cost of providing the services we purchase?