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Column: You Do Know That, in Most Cases, Bottled Water Is Just Tap Water?

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby David Lazarus

Since the start of the pandemic, thirsty Americans have drowned their sorrow in bottled water. Even before the coronavirus blew into all our lives, bottled water was, and has been for years, the No. 1 beverage in the United States, surpassing soft drinks as the choice of increasingly health-conscious consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated things.

According to a recent report from the International Bottled Water Assn., sales of bottled water exploded last year “as consumers stocked up in order to stay home amid the coronavirus crisis.”

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Jared Huffman: Support is Needed to Help Pay Water Bills

/in , /by /Times Standardby Sonia Waraich

State residents have been struggling to keep up with their water bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, but government officials say help is on the way.

Survey results from the State Water Resources Control Board released in late January estimate about 1.6 million or 12% of households across the state have not paid their water bills resulting in an estimated $1 billion in statewide household water debt. The average household debt is $500.

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Agencies Seek Relief Funds to Cover Delinquent Water Bills

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Water agencies across the region are seeking help from the County of San Diego and the 18 incorporated cities in the county to provide essential financial relief for households throughout the county that are facing growing water bill delinquencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Opinion: We Can Find Common Ground to Solve Challenging Water Issues

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Cannon Michael and Ann Hayden

Despite a seemingly endless era of upheaval – a surging pandemic, contentious election cycle and racial strife – we still have the responsibility to address pressing issues that cannot wait for calmer times. The future of California’s water is one of those issues. While collaboration and relationship building have been made even more challenging due to distancing required by COVID-19, we believe that water is an issue where we can rise above party lines and entrenched perspectives.

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$15 Million Credit Line Will Help Antioch Build Desalination Plant

/in , , /by /The Mercury Newsby Judith Prieve

Despite a seemingly endless era of upheaval – a surging pandemic, contentious election cycle and racial strife – we still have the responsibility to address pressing issues that cannot wait for calmer times. The future of California’s water is one of those issues. While collaboration and relationship building have been made even more challenging due to distancing required by COVID-19, we believe that water is an issue where we can rise above party lines and entrenched perspectives.

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Water Supply and Delivery Projects are the Pipeline for Economic Opportunity

/in , , /by /Valley Newsby Greg Thomas

While health and safety of our water supply remains our top priority, reliable water service is an enabling force for economic growth and improves the quality of life for families. According to a recent study by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Value of Water, the United States needs to invest $109 billion per year in water infrastructure over the next 20 years to close the water infrastructure gap.

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Opinion: Three Lessons for California’s Water Funding Challenges in Today’s Recession

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Ellen Hanak and Jelena Jezdimirovic

California’s water managers have had their hands full keeping our water systems safe and operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. But their work on addressing the fiscal consequences of the deep economic recession is just beginning. Three lessons from the Great Recession of 2007-09 could guide more effective policy responses today.

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Rancho Water to Refund Bonds and Cover Loss from Shelved Rate Increases

/in , /by /Valley Newsby Jeff Pack

During a joint regular meeting of the Rancho California Water District finance and audit committee and a special meeting of the board of directors, Thursday, Sept. 3, the district committee agreed to implement the 2020 Plan of Finance and authorize RCWD’s general manager to negotiate and enter into agreements for proposed bond issuances to save the district an estimated $1.3 million.

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COVID-19 Pandemic Should be a Wake-Up Call for Water Security

/in , , /by /PHYS.ORGby University of Birmingham

Urgent action on water security is essential to better prepare societies for future global health crises, say experts at the University of Birmingham in the U.K. and Northwestern University in the U.S.

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California Senate Leaders Propose Economic Recovery Plan

/in , , /by /Water News Networkby Ed Joyce Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer today praised planning efforts by state Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins of San Diego and other state Senate leaders to help guide California’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The senate plans include funding to create jobs, boost infrastructure investments and to protect renters and landlords.

“We are very appreciative of President pro Tem Toni Atkins’ efforts to advance immediate action on economic recovery and creative solutions to jump-start California’s economy without exacerbating the already-challenging fiscal conditions being experienced at the state and local government levels,” Madaffer said. “We look forward to engaging on the details and partnering with the state to move forward on shovel-ready water and energy infrastructure projects that can help the state’s economic recovery gain traction.”

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