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Biden Admin Completes Under-The-Wire Endangered Species Rules for California Water Projects

/in , , /by /Politicoby Camille von Kaenel

The Biden administration signed off on Friday on its plan for how to run the massive system of pumps, canals, reservoirs that moves water across California, just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office with a very different vision.

The Bureau of Reclamation’s record of decision closes a four-year process to overturn Trump’s previous rules for the Central Valley Project, which both environmentalists and the state of California claimed did not adequately protect endangered fish like the Chinook salmon and Delta smelt and sued over.

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5.5 Billion Gallons of Water Released From Lake Hodges Dam in Past Two Years

/in , , /by /CBS 8 San Diegoby Jenny Day Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

As we watch our water bills rise and are asked to consistently conserve water in a drought – billions of gallons of water are being dumped from the Lake Hodges Dam and there are concerns more water will be wasted this winter.

It’s been a dry fall, but we are expecting rain in the coming months and because the dam is badly in need of repairs, water levels have to be kept very low right now – meaning more of this precious resource will be released into the ocean.

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Pure Water Construction Snafu That Cost the City Millions Is Creating a ‘Pure Nightmare’ on One Major Road

/in , , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Garrick

A flooding problem that’s inflating the price tag of San Diego’s Pure Water recycling system by many millions is also creating another problem that’s frustrating people from Mission Valley to Point Loma.

The seemingly never-ending closure of westbound Friars Road at a key choke point between Napa Street and Sea World Drive is causing major congestion during rush hour and doubling commute times for many.

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Rising Water Costs in San Diego Is a Never-Ending Story

/in , , /by /Voice of San Diegoby McKenzie Elmer

The cost of water in San Diego will continue to skyrocket but we don’t have a good idea where or whether it will stop.

The city of San Diego recently revealed its own water rates will rise a whopping 61 percent through 2029, adding about $57 per month to the average water bill. Part of the reason is the San Diego County Water Authority, which sells water to the region’s 22 water districts, is paying off debt and deals it took on many years ago to claim more Colorado River water and tap into ocean water for drinking. Another reason is cities like San Diego are building their own expensive wastewater recycling systems.

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Climate-Change Adaptation for California’s Land, the Sea and Water Supply

/in , , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Michael Smolens

California state government and many local agencies put a premium on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

But recent developments underscore the parallel emphasis on adapting to the effects of global warming — from advances in sea-level rise strategies to stretching water supplies to thinning forests at high risk for wildfire.

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Defina Gonzalez is sworn in to the Otay Water District Board of Directors. Photo: Otay Water District

Delfina Gonzalez Sworn In To Otay Water District Board

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Delfina Gonzalez was sworn in at a special Otay Water District board of directors meeting on December 6. Gonzalez was elected to represent Division Two in the November 2024 election.

“I am honored to have been elected by the community of division two and proud to serve Otay’s ratepayers,” said Gonzalez. “My vision is to prioritize long-term planning, responsible water usage, fiscal accountability, and customer service. I am committed to fostering sustainable, pragmatic solutions for South Bay’s water needs, growth, and the well-being of families and businesses.

“The District has accomplished a great deal through its board and staff, and I am dedicated to being part of this team to continue executing the District’s mission.”

Gonzalez Contributes Wide Range of Experience

Defina Gonzalez participates in her first Otay Water District board meeting. Photo: Otay Water District

Defina Gonzalez participates in her first Otay Water District board meeting. Photo: Otay Water District

Gonzalez brings a multifaceted career to the board, spanning education, labor organizing, business ownership, and community relations. With more than 25 years of dedicated service to Chula Vista and the South San Diego region, she has been a strong advocate for civic engagement and water policy.

Gonzalez previously served on the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Sweetwater Authority and is an elected member of the San Diego County Central Committee, where she has contributed to critical discussions on water policy and political advocacy. Additionally, she has been active in the City of Chula Vista’s district four civic initiatives.

Her professional experience includes her role as a childcare coordinator and department specialist at Southwestern College, where she enhanced educational programs and organized events include the annual Day of the Young Child Conference.

Gonzalez also owned an event planning company, managing large-scale city events. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she is known for her ethical leadership, expertise in policy development, financial literacy, and community engagement.

Gonzalez Is Water Academy Grad

Gonzalez’s commitment to public service is reflected in completing the San Diego County Water Authority’s Citizens Water Academy. She is also a board member of I Am Green, a nonprofit addressing homelessness and promoting eco-friendly and environmental solutions for a greener future.

Originally from Spring Valley and a lifelong San Diegan, she resides in Chula Vista with her husband, Reyes, and is the proud mother of three adult children. During her free time, she enjoys participating in cultural events, church activities, and spending time with her dogs.

Director Gonzalez’s term will run from December 2024 through December 2028.

The five-member Otay Water District Board of Directors is the governing body of the District. It is responsible for setting rates for service, taxes, policies, and ordinances, adopting the annual budget, and other matters related to the management and operation of the water agency. Voters elect each director within one of five divisions to represent the public’s interest on the Board. Directors serve four-year terms in office.

 

 

Map Shows US Cities Where Thousands Have No Running Water

/in , , , /by /Newsweekby Hatty Willmoth

New York City is the water poverty capital of the United States, according to a study citing census data, with 56,900 residents living without access to running water in 2021.

In second place was Los Angeles, with 45,900 people, followed by San Francisco, with 24,400. In Chicago and Houston, more than 22,000 residents do not have access to running water.

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OPINION: California’s Next Water War Won’t Concern Agriculture. It Will Be About AI

/in , , /by /Sacramento Beeby Dean Florez

For decades, California’s water debates have centered on a familiar tension: agriculture versus urban consumption. Agriculture, which consumes 80% of the state’s developed water supply, has long dominated discussions about conservation and efficiency. Yet, a new contender is emerging, one poised to dwarf agriculture in water demand and reshape the state’s water future: artificial intelligence (AI).

California’s agricultural sector is the backbone of the nation’s food supply, using approximately 34 million acre-feet of water annually — over 11 trillion gallons. This water sustains crops like almonds, grapes and rice, many of which are highly water-intensive and vital to the state’s economy. For decades, agriculture has been framed as the primary focus of water conservation efforts, with farmers frequently cast as both stewards and villains of California’s strained water resources.

 

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Water Transfers, Conservation Partnerships Deliver Benefits to Regional Ratepayers

/in , , /by /The Coast News Group Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

For the second year in a row, the San Diego County Water Authority and its partners have struck a deal to conserve water in Lake Mead, support the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River and save local ratepayers money. 

The agreements between the Water Authority, the Imperial Irrigation District, and the Metropolitan Water District, with funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, are designed to promote voluntary water conservation. The 2024 agreement was announced during a meeting of the Colorado River Board of California at this year’s Colorado River Water Users Association’s conference in Las Vegas.

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Back-To-Back-To-Back Atmospheric Rivers Are Expected to Soak the West Coast

/in , , /by /New York Timesby Amy Graff

A barrage of storms known as atmospheric rivers is expected to soak the West Coast over the next eight to 10 days, raising the risk of flooding, power outages and holiday travel disruptions leading up to Christmas in a region that has already experienced significant weather activity this season.

The bulk of the rain and snow is likely to fall between British Columbia and Northern California, with Washington and Oregon poised to have some of the wettest, sloppiest weather.

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