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San Diego Explained: San Marcos Water Shortage Just A Figment

On paper, there’s enough water for San Diegans for years to come. The exception is in San Marcos. Every five years, urban water agencies across California must prepare reports showing they won’t run out of water. Almost every San Diego water agency projects they will have enough water for the years to come. But the Vallecitos Water District, which provides water to 97,000 people in and around San Marcos, has projected a huge shortage: 3.7 billion gallons a year by 2020. Vallecitos is the only district in the state that projects such a shortfall.

Coastkeeper Says Latest Water Conservation Report Highlights Need For Efficiency In Drought

According to monthly conservation numbers released by the State Water Resources Control Board today, water conservation in California has continued to drop since the 25 percent statewide conservation mandate was weakened.

 

California Drought Bill Victory Could Be Short-Lived: Sen. Barbara Boxer Pledges Filibuster As One Of Her Last Acts

The water policy measure overwhelmingly passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday to build long-term water infrastructure across the Golden State is headed for a showdown with outgoing Sen. Barbara Boxer, who plans to mount a filibuster in the Senate on Friday as one of her final acts in Congress. The overall bill — which Boxer co-authored — authorizes hundreds of water projects across the country, including new infrastructure to fix lead issues in Flint, Mich., and projects connected to the Los Angeles River, Salton Sea and Lake Tahoe.

Calif. Water Savings Steadies

Californians did a good job of saving water in October, a month of heavy rainfall amid easing drought conditions in a state enduring five straight dry years, regulators said Tuesday. Cities used 19.5 percent less in October compared with 2013, shortly before Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency. That’s up from 18 percent in September, and it reverses past months of backsliding since the state lifted mandatory cutbacks of up to 25
percent, officials said. October’s savings show that residents are committed to conserving, said Felicia Marcus,
chair of the State Water Resources Control Board.

Utility seeks public input on water rules

Last week, state water officials released a draft report on the implementation of long-term water conservation requirements established to meet Gov. Jerry Brown‘s May 9 executive order and are now seeking public input.

Water agencies have been asked to adopt new standards for urban water use by 2020 that include setting targets for indoor and outdoor water use. There are many prudent actions and long-term measures for us to take in order to make conservation a way of life,” Foothill Municipal Water District Board President Rich Atwater said in a statement.

Farm Bureau Supports Federal Water Legislation

Urging Congress to allow California to take full advantage of coming winter storms, the California Farm Bureau Federation said today it supports the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act slated for a vote this week.

“As California faces a potential sixth consecutive drought year, it’s critical for Congress to do what it can to assure we can capture as much water as possible from winter storms, while maintaining protections for the environment,” CFBF President Paul Wenger said. “The WIIN bill offers a balanced solution to help pay for long-overdue water supply, conservation and recycling projects.”

Water Conservation Rules Could Get a Lot More Complicated Under New Proposal

Despite a wet start to the fall in Northern California, nearly two-thirds of the state remains wracked by extreme drought. In the future, climate change is likely to make dry periods more frequent, more intense and longer. Competition for water will increase, as will population.

So it’s no surprise Gov. Jerry Brown says we need to “make water conservation a way of life in California.” But what’s the best way to get Californians to keep saving? A new proposal from five state resource agencies aims to re-define water conservation in the state.

OPINION: Feinstein Gets It Right In California Water Fight, Finally

California’s House Republicans have been fighting for years with senators, in particular Dianne Feinstein, over how to improve water infrastructure and help farmers in the Golden State. Now, at long last, it appears something will get done. House and Senate leaders have agreed to add a provision crafted by Feinstein, California’s senior Democratic senator, to an omnibus water infrastructure bill that is expected to pass this month.

State Agencies Considering New Water Restrictions

(San Diego) California’s extreme drought has been going on for five years. Water saving measures were put in place but when communities eased up on restrictions, so did people. Several state agencies have come up with a new plan to create more water restrictions. The whole idea is to make conservation efforts from the past couple of years permanent, so there’s enough water to go around. Water is a limited resource in California. It’s gotten so bad, when some people turn on their facets, there’s nothing coming out.

Imperial Valley Water Officials Set Ultimatum To Protect Salton Sea

Imperial Valley’s water district, the Imperial Irrigation District, is demanding state water officials have a 10-year plan for the management of the Salton Sea by the end of the year or it will not agree to a proposed Colorado River drought deal. The Salton Sea is shrinking due to a water transfer deal that sends water to San Diego County and the Coachella Valley. As the lake recedes, wildlife habitat is being lost and playa, the lakebed, is exposed, causing a health hazard due to an increase of dust in the air.