Coronavirus Outbreak Tests Resilience Of Western Water Workforce
Water agencies throughout the West are changing their operations during the coronavirus outbreak to make sure cities and farms don’t run dry.
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Opinion: Hand-Washing Is Critical in the Fight Against Coronavirus, But What If You Don’t Have Safe Water?
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /The Hillby Peter Gleick, Heather Cooley, Laura FeinsteinThe coronavirus pandemic is shining a spotlight on the weaknesses of social, economic and health safety nets we’ve long taken for granted, including our water system.
COVID-19: Not a Threat to California’s Water Supply
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /PPICby Lori PottingerThe COVID-19 health emergency has prompted “panic buying” of bottled water that has emptied store shelves and sown confusion over water safety. We talked to Dave Eggerton—executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and a member of the PPIC Water Policy Center advisory council—about the state’s municipal water supply in light of the ongoing pandemic. ACWA is a statewide association whose 450 local public water agency members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California.
Water District Maintaining Safe Supply of Drinking Water
/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /Ramona Sentinelby Julie GallantRamona Municipal Water District is assuring its customers that they can continue to safely use and drink their tap water and that the coronavirus, COVID-19, has no impact on its water supply.
$1.5 Billion for Water-Bill Assistance Inserted in House Democrats’ Coronavirus Aid Package
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /Circle of Blueby Brett WaltonThe latest version of the House Democrats’ coronavirus emergency aid package includes $1.5 billion to help Americans pay their water bills during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
Shredded T-shirts No Substitute for Toilet Paper; Critical Sewer Spill Averted
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /Record Searchlightby Mike ChapmanThe toilet paper shortage is leading some people to resort to other ways of wiping and it caused a problem for part of the Redding sewer system Wednesday night.
Carlsbad Desalination Plant Workers Self-Isolate
/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Water News Network / WaterWorldby Ed Joyce Quoted: San Diego County Water AuthorityIn an effort to ensure continuity of operations, ten volunteers are sheltering in place at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in San Diego County. Poseidon Water‘s Jessica Jones shares this inspiring story of selfless dedication to keeping the water flowing.
“They did volunteer to operate the plant on-site for 21 days,” said Jones. “There were ten recreational vehicles brought in, so each worker has their own RV and food is delivered for them without human contact.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Poseidon Water decided to take this step to ensure there is uninterrupted production and delivery of safe and reliable water for San Diego County.
Nation’s Biggest Water Supplier Isolating Staff Over Virus
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /Bloomberg Environmentby Emily C. DooleyThe nation’s largest treated water supply district is isolating workers, reducing the number of on-site employees, and giving its executive director broad powers, in the wake of stay-at-home orders and health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Waste Industry Asks EPA to Stay Enforcement During Pandemic
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Kimberlyn Velasquez /Bloomberg Environmentby Sylvia CarignanThe waste and recycling industry is seeking flexibility from the EPA on waste permit enforcement as it anticipates the effects of the new coronavirus pandemic.
L.A. Threatens to Shut Off Water, Power of Businesses Breaking Coronavirus Rules
/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Times by Sarah Parvini and Richard WintonMayor Eric Garcetti expressed frustration and outrage that some nonessential businesses remained open despite coronavirus restrictions and vowed Los Angeles would take action against them.
Garcetti said his office was still receiving daily reports of nonessential businesses that continued to operate as normal — behavior he called “irresponsible and selfish.”
He also announced a “Safer at Home” business-ambassadors initiative that aims to bring about greater compliance from businesses that are ignoring the city’s order to close.
Such businesses should also expect to get a warning call from local prosecutors before the city takes more aggressive action, including turning off their water and power, he said.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
