California’s Miserable Year Ending in Drought, Fire and Lockdowns
Most Californians, it’s safe to say, can’t wait for 2020 to end. But the year is getting in a few parting shots on its way out the door.
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Sen. Atkins to Share Legislative Vision with Water Authority Board
Editors Note: Due to the volume of activity associated with this week’s organizational activities related to the beginning of the 2021-2022 state legislative session, Senator Atkins regretfully had to cancel her appearance during this Thursday’s special Board of Directors meeting, and she expressed her apologies for the unavoidable circumstances and workload that resulted in the cancellation. Fortunately, the Water Authority is honored that state Senator Brian Jones will join the special Board meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday and offer his perspectives on 2020 and his insights on policy and fiscal issues facing California and San Diego County as we advance toward 2021.
California Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins will share her legislative vision and 2021 policy outlook at a special San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, December 10. The webcast of the meeting can be viewed at 2 p.m. here.
“I’m hopeful that we’ll hear from Senator Atkins about energy and infrastructure funding and partnership opportunities,” said Sandra L. Kerl, General Manager of the Water Authority. “This has long been one of the top legislative priorities for water and wastewater agencies – and the pandemic has highlighted the need for continued investments in these projects that produce jobs as well as generational benefits.”
Atkins has represented the region since 2000, serving on the San Diego City Council for eight years and in the state Assembly for six years. She was elected to the state Senate in 2016, where she represents the 39th district. The district includes most of the city of San Diego, and Coronado, Del Mar, and Solana Beach. She was elected Senate President pro Tem by her senate colleagues in March 2018.
A champion for California water policy
Throughout her years of public service in state and local government, Atkins has championed sound water policy. She is currently in the middle of coronavirus pandemic-related public safety and economic recovery issues. Atkins received the 2019 Safe Drinking Water Champion Award in January 2020 from the California Municipal Utilities Association in Sacramento.
As leader of the Senate, Atkins was instrumental in bringing California together to find consensus that resulted in passage of the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund of 2019. The long-term funding solution avoided a proposed water tax, ensures safe drinking water for an estimated one-million Californians, and will fix failing water systems in vulnerable communities.
Legislative partnerships are essential for a prosperous future
The San Diego County Water Authority is pursuing partnerships with state and national agencies to advance shovel-ready water and energy infrastructure projects that can help California’s economic recovery gain traction.
Over the years, the Water Authority has hosted numerous legislative roundtable events to promote collaboration with civic, business, and elected leaders to ensure continued water supply reliability for the region.
Past speakers have included Congressmen Scott Peters and Mike Levin, State Assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez and Marie Waldron, and State Senators Ben Hueso and Brian Jones. Atkins participated in the Water Authority’s Legislative Roundtable in October 2015.
Opinion: After COVID-19 Ends, Will Californians Go Thirsty?
In the midst of drought yet again, and two decades into the 21st century, California continues to operate with a water infrastructure engineered and constructed for 20th century climate conditions and populations. That’s true not only of the state’s physical network of dams and aqueducts, but of its legal and financial infrastructure as well — the pricing rules that allocate the state’s precious liquid resources among its 40 million thirsty people. The coronavirus emergency has highlighted some of the most serious stresses in the system.
Opinion: We Can Find Common Ground to Solve Challenging Water Issues
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.
Lake Jennings Trout Season Opening A Success
Lake Jennings, the Helix Water District reservoir in Lakeside, is one of San Diego County’s hot spots for trout fishing, ranked second in the county by SDFish.com. The 2020 fall trout fishing season got underway on November 20, with enthusiastic anglers enjoying safe outdoor recreation with pandemic precautions in place.
“It’s one of those family activities people can do right now,” said Kira Haley, Helix Water District recreation manager.
UC San Diego Detects Coronavirus in Wastewater Samples From Five Areas of Campus
UC San Diego says it detected traces of the novel coronavirus in five areas of campus over the weekend after it greatly expanded its search for the pathogen in wastewater samples drawn from dozens of buildings.
The positive tests could involve as many as 14 residential halls and two laundries. But school officials also said Tuesday the findings also could represent only a small number of sites and very few infections.
UCSD Detects COVID-19-Causing Virus in Multiple Wastewater Samples on Campus
UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla on Tuesday alerted students, faculty and staff that the university’s wastewater monitoring system detected SARS CoV-2 — the virus which causes COVID-19 — in multiple sites on Sunday and Monday.
“Our early detection system identified active virus in the wastewater outflow in the five campus areas from 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 22 to 1 p.m. on Monday, November 23,” Khosla said.
Lake Jennings Trout Season Opening A Success
Lake Jennings, the Helix Water District reservoir in Lakeside, is one of San Diego County’s hot spots for trout fishing. It ranks second in the county according to the recreational fishing website SDFish.com. The 2020 fall trout fishing season got underway on November 20, with enthusiastic anglers enjoying safe outdoor recreation with pandemic precautions in place.
“It’s one of those family activities people can do right now,” said Kira Haley, Helix Water District recreation manager. “Kids need to get outside and spend time in the fresh air. It was a big weekend; it was really fun.”
Through the opening weekend, Lake Jennings issued 931 permits, including 161 for children, an increase of 10% over 2019.
Showing off a string of rainbow trout along with the beautiful Lake Jennings scenery. Photo: Lake Jennings
Haley said due to safety measures, the lake staff worked hard to keep lines to a minimum.
“We are only allowing one family into the bait and tackle shop at a time,” said Haley. “One of the first things we did was get a portable register. It allows us to go up and down the line of people selling permits to those who don’t need to come into the store itself.”
Trout arrived last week from Thatcher, Idaho. The 2,500 pounds of fish travel 913 miles in an oxygenated truck to stock the lake.
“The lake is so clear you can see the fish,” she said. “A lot of our fishermen are sight fishing. They can follow a school around the lake and cast before they get there. It becomes more of an exercise activity too.”
Fishing and social distancing go together
Catfish were also biting. This impressive 38-pound catfish was safely released back into the lake. Photo: Lake Jennings
Fishing is a natural social distancing activity.
“We have five miles of shoreline there’s plenty of space to spread out,” said Haley. “When you’re working with hooks and big fishing poles, you want to stay away from other people.”
Haley praised visitors for their compliance with all safety precautions, which have been in place since July.
“People are being respectful,” she said. “They’re wearing their masks, which makes us so happy. This is allowing us to stay in business and stay in compliance.”
She said all boats, lifejackets and seat cushions are disinfected after every use. Haley said only EPA approved disinfectants are used around the lake.
The lake’s 97 campground spaces are currently booked three weeks in advance for weekend dates.
Nothing tastes quite as good as freshly caught fish prepared on the grill at Lake Jennings. Photo: Lake Jennings
The lake remains open for activities, including nature walks and birding from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Night fishing ended November 20 due to California’s 10 p.m. curfew order. Haley said night fishing might return on a limited basis until 9 p.m. on future weekends. Check the lake’s website for the latest information.
Lake Jennings is more than just a great fishing spot. The lake is also where the Helix Water District stores imported water from the Colorado River and Northern California and local water from Lake Cuyamaca and El Capitan Reservoir to provide safe, reliable water to East County residents.
Padre Dam Named Utility of the Future Today
Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s leadership in the development of water reuse as well as its strong workplace culture received national recognition with a 2020 Utility of the Future Today award. The award honors substantial excellence in the operation of water sector services.
“We are honored to be recognized as a groundbreaking agency in the area of water reuse,” said Allen Carlisle, Padre Dam general manager and CEO. “This distinction highlights our ongoing commitment to innovative improvements in service of our customers.”
Here’s What the Water Sector Wants from Congress and President-Elect Biden
In a letter to President-elect Joe Biden last week, the American Water Works Association urged the incoming administration to prioritize COVID-19 relief for water utilities and investment for the overall water infrastructure sector.
The letter, authored by association president Melissa Elliott, cites AWWA research that revenue shortfalls at U.S. drinking water utilities may reduce economic activity by $32.7 billion and cost 75,000 to 90,000 private-sector jobs. Drinking water utilities are expected to see revenues from customer payments drop by nearly $14 billion, according to AWWA estimates. This is the result of the elimination of water shutoffs for non-payment, increased late payments due to high unemployment, reductions in non-residential water demands, and the addition of fewer new customers due to economic stagnation.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
