California requires “several more storms” to make up for an unusually dry January that has plagued the southern half of the state, according to State Climatologist Michael Anderson.
California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) is pushing back on President Trump’s recent claim that the U.S. military entered the state and “turned on the water” in the wake of devastating wildfires that left lasting damage in the southern part of the state.
The White House on Sunday released an executive order by President Trump that laid out a plan to exert the federal government’s role in California’s complex water management operations and claimed its authority to overrule state officials. The order, dated Friday, comes after Mr. Trump traveled to the state to see the devastation from wildfires that have been raging in Los Angeles for weeks.
Los Angeles County officials missed dozens of opportunities for water infrastructure improvements that experts say probably would have enabled firefighters to save more homes during the Palisades fire, public records show.
As crews battled the blaze, attempting to extinguish flames that burned huge swaths of L.A. County and killed at least 11 people, some hydrants ran dry.
The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is considering the findings of a seven-month investigation into accusations against General Manager Adel Hagekhalil — a process that has revealed competing claims of discrimination and exposed deep divisions among leaders of the state’s largest urban water supplier.
The board met twice in closed session this week to consider the findings of five completed investigations, which have not been made public. Board members then voted to continue Hagekhalil’s leave of absence until their next meeting Wednesday.
As President Donald Trump prepares to tour wildfire damage in California, he’s zeroing in on one of his frequent targets for criticism: State water policy. Since the fires broke out Jan. 7, Trump has used social media and interviews to accuse the state of sending too much water to the Pacific Ocean instead of south toward Los Angeles and highlighted how some hydrants ran dry in the early hours of the firefight in Pacific Palisades.
With red flag fire weather warnings finally set to end Friday morning, Southern California is set for its first real rains of the winter, which would provide some welcome relief in the region’s seemingly endless firefight. Yet there is concern that this weekend’s rains could provide only temporary relief. After this weekend, a dry spell could return — raising serious questions about whether dangerous fire weather could return sooner than later.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to withhold federal disaster aid for wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles unless California leaders change the state’s approach on its management of water.
It would be impossible to overstate the complexity of water supply management in California. Hundreds of federal, state and local agencies decree who or what is supplied with water, when and how much will be delivered, and the prices recipients must pay.
San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano has appointed new leadership for the Board’s committees and regional boards. These positions are responsible for running vital committees that impact all aspects of the Water Authority’s operations and representing the Water Authority on key regional bodies.
“I am proud to announce these appointments, which reflect the expertise, dedication, and leadership needed to advance our priorities for the San Diego region,” said Chair Serrano. “This group of leaders brings diverse perspectives to the table and shares my commitment to keeping water rates low, ending the era of litigation that has stood in the way of collaborative decision-making for the Southwest, fostering regional collaboration across Southern California, and ensuring a sustainable future for San Diego County.”
Board Chair Nick Serrano.
The new San Diego County Water Authority committee chairs are:
• Ismahan Abdullahi (City of San Diego) – Administrative & Finance Committee
• Amy Reeh (Yuima Municipal Water District) – Engineering & Operations Committee
• Neal Meyers (Olivenhain Municipal Water District) – Imported Water Committee
• Valentine Macedo, Jr. (City of San Diego) – Legislation & Public Outreach Committee
• Marty Miller (Vista Irrigation District) – Water Planning & Environmental Committee
Chair Serrano also appointed Chair Emeritus Mel Katz (City of Del Mar) to be San Diego’s new delegate to the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California. Katz replaces former MWD Director Tim Smith (Otay Water District), who retired from this position late last year. Katz was officially sworn-in to his new role as an MWD delegate last week.
In addition, Board Secretary Joy Lyndes (San Dieguito Water District) will serve as the Water Authority’s primary representative to SANDAG.
“Together, we will continue to build on the progress we’ve made, tackle the challenges ahead, and deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of our communities,” Serrano said. “I have full confidence in this team’s ability to advance our collective vision for a stronger, more affordable, and more resilient water future.”
The Water Authority’s 22 member agencies are represented through a 34-member Water Authority Board of Directors. At least one director from each agency sits on the Board. The Board establishes and administers policies for the Water Authority, and generally holds its regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month with special workshops and other meetings as needed.
