Tag Archive for: State Water Resources Control Board

Poseidon Water Plant Permit Discussion Continued to Next Week

/in , /by /Daily Pilot (Los Angeles Times) by Matt Szabo

Both proponents and opponents of the controversial Poseidon Water desalination plant in Huntington Beach made their voices heard Friday in an all-day virtual meeting that continued well into the night.

In the end, however, a decision by the Santa Ana Regional Water Board on whether to permit Poseidon’s $1.4-billion project will have to wait until at least next week.

Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday, with a third meeting on May 13, as necessary.

Full Story

Opinion: Failure to Prepare Deepens the Pain from Dry Years

/in , /by /AgAlertby Danny Merkley and Chris Scheuring

It’s that time of year, when we find out it’s that kind of year. We appear at the doorstep of a “critically dry year,” and most reservoir levels are significantly below average. Those conditions bring painfully to mind the awful drought years of 2014 and 2015, and threaten water supplies for California farms and cities, and for the protected fish species that must also get by in these lean years. For direct diverters, the State Water Resources Control Board recently sent letters to 40,000 water right holders of record, asking them to start planning for potential water supply shortages later this year, and identifying actions water users can take to increase drought resilience.

Full Story

Opinion: With San Francisco Bay On Life Support, Newsom Withholds the Cure

/in , /by /CalMattersby Jon Rosenfield

San Francisco Bay’s life support systems are unravelling quickly, and a wealth of science indicates that unsustainable water diversions are driving this estuary’s demise.

Yet, with another drought looming, federal and state water managers still plan to divert large amounts of water to their contractors and drain upstream reservoirs this summer. Meanwhile, the state’s most powerful water districts are preparing yet another proposal to maintain excessive water diversions for the long-term.

Full Story

How a Beachfront Gas Plant Explains California’s Energy Problems

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Sammy Roth

When the California Public Utilities Commission recommended 17 months ago that a gas-fired power plant on the Redondo Beach waterfront remain open beyond 2020 — over the objections of local officials and clean energy activists — Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves made a commitment to the city’s mayor.

Full Story

California’s Drought is Back, but Nobody Wants to Hear it from Newsom

/in , /by /Politicoby Debra Kahn

California’s drought conditions might normally prompt calls for shorter showers and shutting off sprinklers. But Californians are in no mood to hear it after a year of pandemic deprivation. Especially from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is facing an almost certain recall election after imposing multiple rounds of business closures and constantly telling residents to stay home.

Full Story

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.

Full Story

Gov. Newsom Ousts Key Poseidon Desal Critic from Water Board Ahead of Project’s Approval

/in , , /by /Voice of OCby Brandon Pho

One of the most vocal critics of a controversial seawater desalting plant, proposed for the Huntington Beach coastline, will no longer be on the state’s local water board when it votes to approve the project later this year.

Full Story

New Law Lowers Cost of Clean Water Projects

/in , , /by /SG News

When it comes to poor water quality, Tulare County is ground zero in the state. Of the state’s 300 water systems out of compliance with water quality standards, 10% are located in Tulare County affecting an estimated 100,000 people, according to the State Water Resources Control Board, more commonly known as the State Water Board.

Full Story

California Water Probe Finds PFAS in Majority of Tested Wells

/in , , /by /Bloomberg Lawby Emily C. Dooley

Sixty percent of California’s public water supply wells that were tested for so-called forever chemicals contain those compounds, according to research that the State Water Resources Control Board released Wednesday.

That same investigation into contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also found that groundwater and surface water sampled at airports far exceeded the concentrations detected in water near landfills and public supply wells.

Full Story

FPUD Amends Design Services Contract for CUP

/in , , /by /Fallbrook Village News by Joe Naiman

The Fallbrook Public Utility District’s professional services contract for the Santa Margarita River Conjunctive Use Project has been amended.

Full Story