San Diego County / Southern California

The latest news and analysis covering water issues in the San Diego County region and Southern California.

Public Hearing Tuesday On Higher Poway Water, Sewer Rates

A busy agenda for Tuesday night’s City Council meeting includes a public hearing on proposed water and sewer rate hikes and a negotiating agreement with two developers interested in building within Poway Road’s newly-designated Town Center. The council is proposing water rate increases of 3.5 percent for water use and 5.5 percent for the fixed […]

Water-Rights Lawsuit Ends After 66 Years

After 66 years of litigation and more than 50 years of settlement talks, the longest-running federal civil case in San Diego has ended. The Fallbrook Public Utility District board of directors voted unanimously Monday to end a water dispute with the U.S. government over rights to water that flows from the Santa Margarita River. “After […]

To Desalinate or Not to Desalinate: UCI Debate Over Controversial Proposed Huntington Beach Plant

Academics, advocates and activists met for a panel discussion at UC Irvine to hash out the pros and cons of a proposal to build a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, with environmentalists once again warning it would damage marine environments and raise water bills. “There is nothing simple about desalination,” said panelist Ray Hiemstra, associate […]

Lessons Learned? Lilac Fire Tested Strategies Drawn From ’07 And ’03 Fires

After more than a decade of studying wildfires, San Diego County took its final exams last week. Did we pass? Authorities say the region is far better equipped to handle swift, wind-whipped flames than it was during the firestorms of 2007 and ’03. “We’re about $460 million more prepared,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob said Friday, “both […]