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State Bills Seek to Cut Children’s Exposure to Lead

When a therapy dog refused to drink at a San Diego grade school, it was the first clue that something was wrong with the water. Tests revealed why the pup turned up its nose — the presence of polyvinyl chloride, the polymer in PVC pipes that degrade over time. But further analysis found something else that had gone undetected by the dog, the teachers and students of the San Diego Cooperative Charter School, and the school district: elevated levels of lead.

BLOG: Water Conservation Garden Leads County Efforts in Water Efficiency

In the heart of El Cajon, easily undetectable to the naked eye, lies a little slice of paradise and a great resource for those wanting to know more about San Diego County’s efforts in water efficiency. The Water Conservation Garden is a six-acre outdoor space and educational exhibit that showcases water efficiency through a series of beautiful and immersive themed gardens, such as a native plant garden and a vegetable garden, as well as how-to displays on mulching and irrigation techniques.

Met Water Chief Talks About Expansion Projects

Recently a North County water district hosted Jeff Kightlinger the general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, an entity almost big enough to be a country in its own right, but whose boss is not above making presentations to the member agencies of the large supplier of much of the water we drink. In San Diego County, which has worked strenuously over the years to develop its own supply network, the water the Met sells doesn’t make up the lion’s share, but it’s still a vital share.

Floating Solar Power: A New Frontier for Green-Leaning Water Utilities

Lakes and ponds used by water utilities have long been viewed with a single purpose: holding water. Now a handful of pioneering water utilities are looking at their aquatic real estate with a new purpose in mind: solar energy generation. Large-scale floating solar projects have been installed in Japan and China, as well as on ponds at California wineries. But solar energy has remained primarily a terrestrial endeavor because, in most cases, it is simpler and cheaper to mount photovoltaic (solar) panels on land.

Met Chief Updates Rincon Del Diablo Board

The Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District Wednesday hosted Jeff Kightlinger the general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, an entity almost big enough to be a country in its own right, but whose boss is not above making presentations to the member agencies of the large supplier of much of the water we drink. In San Diego County, which has worked strenuously over the years to develop its own supply network, the water the Met sells doesn’t make up the lion’s share, but it’s still a vital share.

Potential Energy Project Could Benefit Water Ratepayers

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.

Salton Sea Geothermal Plant Canceled by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy

It’s been 14 years since California officials first approved the Black Rock power plant, which would have tapped a powerful geothermal reservoir along the shore of the Salton Sea and generated enough climate-friendly electricity to power about 200,000 homes. But the long-planned geothermal plant in Imperial County was never built — and now its developer appears to be pulling the plug.

District Finds High Levels of Lead in Education Center Water

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.

LA County Ratepayers Rally Against the Brown/Trump Water-Stealing Delta Tunnels

This afternoon starting at 2 p.m., MWD will hold a workshop to discuss the release of their financing plan and the projected cost to Los Angeles ratepayers. “Ratepayers will converge at today’s meeting today to protest this unfair rate and tax hike,” according to Brenna Norton of Food & Water Watch in a news advisory. The average L.A. customer would see their water bills rise from $200 to over $393 annually for up to 75 years, according to an independent analysis by EcoNorthwest.

A Nearly $17-Billion Water Project is Being Planned for California. What Will it Cost the Southland?

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.