On his first visit to Melbourne in 2009, Stanley Grant, a drought expert and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Irvine, had a question for his taxi driver. “How’s the drought?” he asked. “It’s about 28 percent,” came the reply. Grant was puzzled. But shortly afterward, they drove past an […]
A drop-off in Californians’ water conservation efforts seems to have leveled off, state officials said Tuesday, though residents still used more water during the month of September than they did the same month in 2015. The news comes one month after the State Water Resources Control Board expressed concern that savings were slipping. Earlier, the […]
Many residents in California’s agricultural regions rely on groundwater from private wells rather than from municipal supplies for clean drinkable water. Test results on many of these wells have revealed excess nitrates and other dangerous elements. Indisputably, all state residents deserve clean potable water. Cris Carrigan, director of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Office of Enforcement, issued confidential letters to growers in […]
After undergoing emergency surgery to remove life-threatening masses, Gov. Jerry Brown’s beloved corgi has again been called into service. Sutter, having recently returned home following the cancer diagnosis, was at Brown’s side when he campaigned for a 2012 sales and income tax hike, Proposition 30. At the Capitol, amid tense budget negotiations, the pooch appeared […]
Once thought to be the wave of the future, turning seawater into drinking water is proving to be a tough sell in California. Desalination of ocean water has long held promise, but the dream of sticking a straw in the ocean and getting unlimited clean water by simply opening the spigot of technology — that’s looking […]
Rainfall totals in October in the Sacramento area have reached 4 and one-third inches, a whopping 493 percent above normal. But that doesn’t mean California’s five year drought is over. “One good wet month does not a drought buster make,” said Doug Carlson, spokesperson for the Department of Water Resources. Although in the past a wet October […]
OPINION: Australia’s Lesson For A Thirsty California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Sylvia RowleyOn his first visit to Melbourne in 2009, Stanley Grant, a drought expert and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Irvine, had a question for his taxi driver. “How’s the drought?” he asked. “It’s about 28 percent,” came the reply. Grant was puzzled. But shortly afterward, they drove past an […]
A ‘Welcome Number’ On Water Savings
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Record (Stockton)A drop-off in Californians’ water conservation efforts seems to have leveled off, state officials said Tuesday, though residents still used more water during the month of September than they did the same month in 2015. The news comes one month after the State Water Resources Control Board expressed concern that savings were slipping. Earlier, the […]
Groundwater Policy Confusion at State Level
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /California Ag Today (Clovis)by Patrick CavanaughMany residents in California’s agricultural regions rely on groundwater from private wells rather than from municipal supplies for clean drinkable water. Test results on many of these wells have revealed excess nitrates and other dangerous elements. Indisputably, all state residents deserve clean potable water. Cris Carrigan, director of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Office of Enforcement, issued confidential letters to growers in […]
‘Pee on 53’ – Brown Invokes Sutter Against Measure on Delta tunnels
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Christopher CadelagoAfter undergoing emergency surgery to remove life-threatening masses, Gov. Jerry Brown’s beloved corgi has again been called into service. Sutter, having recently returned home following the cancer diagnosis, was at Brown’s side when he campaigned for a 2012 sales and income tax hike, Proposition 30. At the Capitol, amid tense budget negotiations, the pooch appeared […]
Desalination: Why Tapping Seawater Has Slowed to a Trickle in California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco)by David Gorn Mentioned: Carlsbad Desalination PlantOnce thought to be the wave of the future, turning seawater into drinking water is proving to be a tough sell in California. Desalination of ocean water has long held promise, but the dream of sticking a straw in the ocean and getting unlimited clean water by simply opening the spigot of technology — that’s looking […]
Sacramento Region Sees One of Wettest Octobers on Record
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /FOX40 (Sacramento)by Lonnie WongRainfall totals in October in the Sacramento area have reached 4 and one-third inches, a whopping 493 percent above normal. But that doesn’t mean California’s five year drought is over. “One good wet month does not a drought buster make,” said Doug Carlson, spokesperson for the Department of Water Resources. Although in the past a wet October […]