More than a century ago, an accidental oasis in the California desert created a popular residential and vacation spot for families.
But over the last few decades, environmental experts say climate change and drought in the Salton Sea have led to a destination that’s been plagued with dust bowls, receding waters and other hazards.
The world’s largest water recycling plant just got even bigger.
The final expansion of Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System has been completed.
A new water pipeline project recently finished construction in Encinitas. On Tuesday local and congressional leaders held a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the pipeline.
The Manchester Avenue Recycled Water Pipeline Project involved the construction of approximately 1.4 miles of six-inch diameter recycled water pipeline. According to a press release, customers connecting to this new pipeline will now irrigate with recycled water, reducing the demand for imported drinking water by more than 27 million gallons per year.
The U.S. Department of Interior announced Tuesday that it could ― and possibly would ― impose cuts to Colorado River deliveries starting next year if necessary, ignoring historic water rights held by the powerful Imperial Irrigation District and other rural farming districts.
The federal government will send up to $233 million to the Gila River Indian Community for water conservation. The tribe is among the first to receive federal payouts as part of a program to incentivize water cutbacks in Arizona, California and Nevada. Those three states make up the Colorado River’s Lower Basin, where water use remains steady in spite of shrinking reserves.
Pismo Beach joined a local desalination feasibility study, completing the San Luis Obispo County-wide bandwagon to identify long-term water supply sources.
The last to participate, the Pismo Beach City Council agreed on April 4 to support county efforts in the face of exiting two historic droughts and an uncharacteristically wet winter season, the flood control and water conservation district naming water resiliency as a high priority, and the Central Coast Blue project nearing realization.
Californians gave their irrigation systems the winter off in much of 2023 thanks to above-average precipitation. As the weather warms, the U.S. EPA encourages everyone to perform a maintenance check in April as part of its “Sprinkler Spruce Up” effort.
Californians gave their irrigation systems the winter off in much of 2023 thanks to above-average precipitation. As the weather warms, the U.S. EPA encourages everyone to perform a maintenance check in April as part of its “Sprinkler Spruce Up” effort.
A sprinkler spruce-up involves four steps: inspect, connect, direct, and select. Cracks in pipes can lead to costly leaks, and broken sprinkler heads can waste water and money. System maintenance can help save money and water, up to 25,000 gallons of water, and $280 over a six-month irrigation season. April is an ideal time to spruce up your irrigation system.
Because most irrigation systems run in the early morning, missing or broken sprinkler heads may go unnoticed. This can cause overflow or flooding on landscapes or waste water on hard surfaces.
Inspect your irrigation system and look for sprinkler heads that do not pop up fully or are tilted. Flag them so they can be located and repaired later. You may be able to do it yourself but call on a WaterSense-certified professional who can replace the broken sprinkler heads.
Leaks can occur at the joints between sprinklers and the piping. Leaking joints can also be caused by too much water pressure or particles in the water. Check to ensure your pressure regulator is installed properly.
Between irrigation cycles, look for water pooling on the surface of your landscaping. This could be caused by an underground leak. Check the connections inside valve boxes to make sure all the valves and other components are securely connected. If the valves cannot close completely, your system could slowly seep water even when turned off.
Irrigation water spraying on hardscapes instead of landscape plants is wasted down the stormwater drain. While your system is running, note any overspray and adjust sprinklers toward your landscaping.
The greatest waste of water in landscape irrigation comes from watering too much, too fast. Observe how water absorbs into the ground during the watering cycle. If water begins running off your landscaping or pooling, run sprinklers in multiple shorter sessions with breaks. This allows water to soak into the soil and minimizes runoff.
Instructions to help homeowners check in-ground irrigation ground systems here: “It’s Time to Start a Sprinkler Spruce-Up!” The EPA’s checklist “Find It, Flag It, Fix It: A Checklist For Your Landscape” shows how to walk through your landscape to identify problems. The checklist also provides additional irrigation and landscape tips and suggestions about when to call in an irrigation professional.
The Otay Water District has launched its annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest as part of a continuing effort to encourage water conservation. Outdoor watering accounts for more than half of residential water use. The resident judged to have the most attractive, drought-toleranat garden receives a nursery gift card, among other prizes, and the title “Best in District.”
Following three consecutive years of drought in California, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is one of the most bountiful in more than 40 years. While the record snowpack and snow water equivalent is great news for water supply, there are concerns the record snowpack could create flooding issues.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
