The San Diego County Water Authority supports a consensus-based approach for long-term solutions to water supply issues in the Colorado River Basin. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on April 11 released a draft environmental document that considers changes to near-term operations on the Colorado River, including potential reductions in water supplies for California and across the Lower Colorado River Basin.
The San Diego County Water Authority supports a consensus-based approach for long-term solutions to water supply issues in the Colorado River Basin. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on April 11 released a draft environmental document that considers changes to near-term operations on the Colorado River, including potential reductions in water supplies for California and across the Lower Colorado River Basin.
Reclamation’s draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) analyzes two alternatives, plus a no-action alternative, to protect critical elevations at Lakes Mead and Powell, the two reservoirs California depends on for its river supplies. Both reservoirs have declined due to unprecedented low levels from more than two decades of drought.
The release of the draft SEIS, which would modify the set of operating guidelines that manage river operations through 2026, comes even as heavy snows this winter signal some relief on the river.
“While this winter’s storms delivered an incredible snowpack, the release of the draft SEIS highlights that we need to continue to work with all Basin states, the tribes and Mexico toward a consensus-based approach that provides real and lasting solutions for all water users,” said Dan Denham, deputy general manager for the San Diego County Water Authority.
To address potential for low run-off/unprecedented water shortages in #CORiver Basin, @usbr today released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to potentially revise current interim operating guidelines for near-term op.s of Glen Canyon & Hoover Dams. pic.twitter.com/XnjnjJe7BU
— Bureau of Reclamation (@usbr) April 11, 2023
The first of the two action alternatives in the draft SEIS acknowledges the priority system for water rights under existing agreements and laws. The San Diego region’s river supplies are largely protected from reductions because they are tied to California’s senior rights within the Lower Colorado River Basin as well as the Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID) high priority rights through the Water Authority’s conserved water transfer agreement with IID.
The second alternative calls for Reclamation to analyze the effects of reductions “distributed in the same percentage” for all water users in the Lower Basin states – California, Arizona and Nevada – despite there being no precedent or foundation for this approach under existing laws. It would mean across-the-board reductions for all water users in the region, including those with senior water rights.
Reclamation has stated it is expecting input from states, tribes and water agencies to fine-tune and adjust these alternatives. Discussions are ongoing between stakeholders.
NEWS RELEASE 4-11-2023: Imperial Irrigation District General Manager Henry Martinez issued a statement on the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) released today by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. https://t.co/FO0bFx7Ubj pic.twitter.com/VLLzQnOHaS
— IID (@IIDatWork) April 11, 2023
“The Water Authority will continue to work in collaboration with our partners on the Colorado River Board of California to ensure California’s high priority water rights on the river are upheld through this SEIS process while we also work with all river stakeholders to develop long-term, durable solutions for the river,” Denham said.
The draft SEIS will be available for public comment for 45 calendar days and the final SEIS is anticipated to be available with a Record of Decision in Summer 2023, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Comments on the draft SEIS are due May 30. This document will inform the August 2023 decisions that will affect 2024 operations for Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams.
The proposal to address immediate water supply challenges complements Reclamation’s ongoing process to develop new guidelines for Colorado River Operations when the current interim guidelines expire at the end of 2026.
In a sense, the record string of storms that hit California created two lakes — one real and one hypothetical.
The deluges re-established Tulare Lake, once the largest lake west of the Mississippi River that was drained long ago for agriculture and municipal water demands.
Santa Fe Irrigation District customers will see an increase in water rates this spring as the board voted on March 28 to approve the new rate hike. In the 4-1 vote, Director Sandy Johnson representing Rancho Santa Fe was opposed. The new rates went into effect on April 1 and customers will see the impacts on bi-monthly bills in June.
San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl delivered an inspiring keynote address at the 2023 Women in Water Symposium at Cuyamaca College. The conference was not held at the college in 2021 or 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And Kerl’s address focused on the sixth annual conference theme, “Building Resilience In Post-Pandemic Times.”
At the March 29 symposium, Kerl shared insights and lessons from leading the Water Authority during the coronavirus pandemic. One lesson was learning how to do business in a different way while still meeting the Water Authority’s essential mission.
“We need talent, knowledge, and fresh ideas from a wide range of people with a wide range of perspectives and life experiences and that is how we navigate a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world,” said Kerl.
Women In Water Symposium participants applauded Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl’s keynote remarks about workforce diversity and resilience. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Conference organizers planned this year’s conference program to help attendees realign their focus following several years of unprecedented challenges. The goal is to give attendees tools and insights to help them navigate the new normal in the industry through both programming and career networking opportunities.
Today, said Kerl, new norms and a changing work culture remain. Among the benefits are an increased sense of collaboration, a recognition of the importance of human connection, and the importance of workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kerl noted that resilient teams are diverse teams.
The Water Authority began efforts to survey its workforce before the pandemic. Rather than stalling the effort, it accelerated the work process.
“We had the opportunity to have conversations with people across the organization to work on those issues. From my standpoint, to be able to accomplish this work now and in the future, we need a diverse workforce. We need everybody coming to the workplace with their full selves. We need to empower our employees to reach their potential, whatever that may be,” said Kerl, drawing appreciative applause from the audience.
Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl emphasized the value of diverse workforce teams, and of bringing your “full selves” to the workplace. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Kerl said she was drawn to a career in water because it allowed her to make the most meaningful impact on her community. “To me, there’s really no higher mission than being responsible for delivering critical, life-affirming water for our families and businesses,” she said.
She encouraged women to pursue water industry jobs at all levels, from engineering to management. The Brookings Institution, a nonprofit think tank, reports that in the United States, women currently represent only 15% of the water workforce.
“Water is complicated and fascinating.” Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl shares her personal story and how to build resiliency in the workforce at the Women in Water Symposium at @cuyamacacollege #womeninwater #workforwater pic.twitter.com/Lmy9TfJYzC
— San Diego County Water Authority (@sdcwa) March 29, 2023
“We’ve all faced a lot of uncertainty through the pandemic, but that has helped each of us develop resilience in big ways and small…. and now we can leverage that by courageously moving into uncharted territories – whether that’s a new project, a new position, or even a new career in the water industry,” added Kerl.
Kerl says thankfully it’s changing. Forty percent of the Water Authority’s workforce are women, and more than half its department heads. It takes raising awareness about opportunities in the industry.
“As we raise awareness about opportunities in our industry, through this forum and others, we can attract more women to the rewarding work we do,” said Kerl. “I view this Symposium as the next step in nurturing a new generation of water professionals.”
The water and wastewater industry offers vast opportunities in engineering, operations, finance, public affairs, human resources, administration, and information technology.
Approximately 4,500 professionals serve the San Diego region in water and wastewater careers. More than 1,400 of those workers are expected to reach retirement age within the next five years. Water and wastewater treatment plant operators in California earn an annual mean wage of more than $74,590, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Proud to support and sponsor the 6th Annual Women in Water Symposium and excited to be back in person again!!! “Building Resilience in Post-Pandemic Times” Full house! Thanks to all the supporters & wonderful women attendees! pic.twitter.com/c3rG9TpRQe
— Otay Water District (@OtayWater) March 29, 2023
The San Diego County Water Authority announced the return of its free in-person WaterSmart Landscape Makeover workshops that has helped thousands throughout the region convert high-water-use lawn areas to WaterSmart landscapes.
The in-person landscape workshops began on March 18 and will continue every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Water Conservation garden, adjacent to Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, and at the Helix Water District Operations Center in La Mesa.
Talk of a 14% increase in the cost of water is the last straw for the agricultural communities of Fallbrook and Rainbow.
The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) last week started a months-long public process to refine its next two-year budget and draft a preliminary proposed rate increase for 2024. The average rates charged by the Water Authority are currently projected to rise by approximately 14% next year, though agency staff and board members are assessing strategies to lower the number.
San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra Kerl is the keynote speaker at the 2023 Women in Water Conference at Cuyamaca College Wednesday, March 29. This year’s theme is “Building Resilience In Post-Pandemic Times.” Kerl’s remarks will focus on the conference theme of building career resilience in a new post-pandemic work environment.
The conference starts at 11 a.m. followed by a reception and professional networking at The Water Conservation Garden from 5 to 7 p.m.
Conference topics include interview tips; advocating for needs in the workplace; working with diverse teams of differing personalities; and becoming a leader of influence and change. Participants can have a professional headshot taken at the start of the conference and visit exhibit booths featuring organizations from the industry.
This year’s conference is designed to help attendees realign their focus following several years of unprecedented challenges. The goal is to provide the tools and insights to help them navigate the new normal in the industry through both programming and career networking opportunities.
Women In Water Conference attendees will have opportunities to network with water industry professionals. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
The conference opens with a panel discussion about career opportunities for women in the water and wastewater industry.
Each of the afternoon’s breakout sessions offers three specific career level tracks to address needs at each level: entry level for individuals new to water industry careers; people looking for career advancement; and established professionals interested in honing their leadership skills and advocating for workforce diversity.
Lunch, refreshments, and parking are included in the $25 general fee. Registration is free for students. Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon. Register here.
City of Escondido Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Carrie Selby is among a growing number of women working in water and wastewater industry careers. Photo: City of Escondido
The water and wastewater industry offers vast opportunities in engineering, operations, finance, public affairs, human resources, administration, and information technology.
Since 2017, the Water Authority’s “Faces of the Water Industry” campaign has highlighted nearly 200 employees in San Diego County across multiple water agencies and job types.
The informational campaign is designed to introduce the wide variety of career opportunities available at all skill levels with an emphasis on welcoming a wide-ranging talent pool of candidates including women.
Approximately 4,500 professionals serve the San Diego region in water and wastewater careers. More than 1,400 of those workers are expected to reach retirement age within the next five years. Water and wastewater treatment plant operators in California earn an annual mean wage of more than $74,590, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant supplies about 50 million gallons of water to the San Diego region every day, enough to fill 75 Olympic swimming pools.
Currently the seven-year-old plant, built at a cost of more than $1 billion, is in the process of implementing a $274 million upgrade to its intake-discharge system. The result will be a new pumping facility that will keep the water flowing while greatly lessening the operation’s environmental impact.
