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San Diego May Scale Back Its Ambitious Pure Water Sewage-Purification Plans — or Scrap Some Entirely

With San Diego more than half done with the first phase of its Pure Water sewage recycling system, city officials say they are considering major changes to how they will handle the second, larger phase.

Construction of the first phase continues to overcome hurdles like flooding at pump stations and impenetrable boulders at tunnel sites to stay on course for completion by the end of 2027.

EPA Proposes Biggest Changes to Lead Pipe Rules in More Than Three Decades

Most U.S. cities would have to replace lead water pipes within 10 years under strict new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency as the Biden administration moves to reduce lead in drinking water and prevent public health crises like the ones in Flint, Mich., and Washington, D.C.

Supes to Approve Letter on Increased Water Rates

Imperial County Board of Supervisors are expected to approve a letter expressing concerns of high water rates affecting Calipatria and Niland residents on Tuesdsay.

Tuesday’s agenda includes an item to approve a letter to be submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission regarding the high cost of water services provided by Golden State Water Company, or GSWC, in the communities of Calipatria and Niland.

Fallbrook, Rainbow Water ‘Divorce’ Decision Delayed Until August

A local government body on Monday delayed the decision on whether two North County water districts can leave the San Diego County Water Authority to buy cheaper water elsewhere.

Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Municipal Water District want a divorce from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) because they say the water rate is too high. They want to move to the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside for its cheaper water. It’s a process called detachment.

IID Board Appoints New Interim General Manager

The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors appointed Assistant General Manager Sergio Quiroz to serve as Interim General Manager effective June 3.

According to a press release from Imperial Irrigation District, the Board’s decision was made following closed session discussions during the Tuesday, May 16 meeting, with directors present voting unanimously in support of the appointment.

South Lake Tahoe Leads the Way as City Council Approves Water Bottle Ban

In 2016, the City of San Francisco was the first American municipality to ban the sales of water that comes in plastic bottles. At the time it was called a bold move that was building on a global movement to reduce the huge amount of waste from the billion-dollar plastic bottle industry.

South Lake Tahoe was an early adopter of the single-use plastic bag ban, as well as bans of single-use plastic, styrene, and straws.

Drought, New Dams, Discord Dominate Election for Santa Clara Valley Water District

Over the past two years, Silicon Valley’s largest water provider, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, has had a long list of challenges and setbacks.

In 2020, the federal government ordered its largest dam, Anderson, near Morgan Hill, drained for earthquake repairs. The price tag has since doubled to $1.2 billion.

AZ Republicans and Democrats Sign Letters on Colorado River Water

Divvying up Colorado River water has been the subject of at least two letters this week from Republican and Democratic members of Arizona’s congressional delegation.

One note was sent to the head of the U.S. Department of Interior and the other to the governor of California.

Opinion: California — Where Extreme Drought and ‘Megaflood’ Potential Collide

California’s water future is dire indeed — there’s not only the likelihood of too little, but also the possibility of way too much.

The potential for broad, devastating effects of climate change have become familiar over the years. In recent times, the prospect of actually running out of water has gone from the abstract to a realistic scenario in some regions of California and the Southwest.

Mayor Gloria and Other Leaders Urge Water Conservation, Warn of ‘Collapse of Colorado River’ System

San Diego County’s water supplies are in good shape in the face of severe statewide drought, but local and state leaders said San Diegans should still take steps to avoid water waste and limit outdoor irrigation.

“We’re here on a somber note, and that is as we move into summer… we are navigating across the American West, an unprecedented drought,” California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said.