Tag Archive for: Water Supply

Flex Alert-energy demand-desalination-pumped storage

Carlsbad Desalination Plant Cuts Energy Demand to Help Avoid Blackouts

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Poseidon Resources (Channelside) LP and the San Diego County Water Authority are temporarily reducing water production at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant to support statewide emergency energy conservation efforts during the extreme heat wave.

While the plant accounts for less than 1% of peak energy demand in San Diego Gas & Electric’s service territory, Channelside and the Water Authority are committed to supporting electrical reliability while ensuring continued delivery of safe and reliable water supplies. The partners reduced water production at the plant by about 20% for three days over the Labor day holiday weekend. Regular water deliveries were made from other sources. The reduced production helps decrease energy demand during the statewide emergency.

“The partnership by the Water Authority and Channelside is another reminder of the value our investments in cutting-edge technology and water supply reliability,” said Sandra L. Kerl, general manager of the Water Authority.  “Desal plant operations are nimble, so production can be ramped up and down in response to local needs. This flexibility underscores the value of regional water supply planning, which allows us to activate solutions during challenging times.”

The Carlsbad Desalination Plant is the largest, most technologically advanced and energy-efficient desalination plant in the nation. The plant has produced more than 90 billion gallons of drinking water for San Diego County since operations began in December 2015. Starting Sunday, Sept. 4, the plant ramped down operations, making an additional 9 megawatts of power available for other uses.

Flex Alert-Lake Hodges Pumped Storage-Energy demand

The Water Authority is running its Lake Hodges Pumped Storage Facilities to generate 20 megawatts of on-demand power, helping meet peak demands. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Lake Hodges Pumped Storage Facility generates on-demand power

The Water Authority also is running its Lake Hodges Pumped Storage Facilities to generate 20 megawatts of on-demand power, helping meet peak demands.

Pumped energy storage

In addition, the Water Authority and the City of San Diego are collaboratively advancing the proposed San Vicente Energy Storage Facility in East County, one of the most promising pumped energy storage solutions in California. Pumped energy storage projects are designed to store excess renewable energy from solar and wind during the day, and then discharge that energy when energy use spikes or renewable energy is not available. As proposed, the project could store 4,000 megawatt-hours per day of energy (500 megawatts of capacity for eight hours), which is enough energy to provide approximately 135,000 homes with power.

Energy demand-Flex Alert-desalination-pumped storage

The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant uses energy recovery devices that save an estimated 146 million kilowatt-hours and reduce carbon emissions by 42,000 metric tons every year. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Energy reliability, water reliability

The Carlsbad Desalination Plant eliminates the need to transport water from Northern California to the San Diego region, offsetting approximately 190,000 megawatt-hours of electricity and 68,000 tons of carbon emissions each year. The plant also uses energy recovery devices that save an estimated 146 million kilowatt-hours and reduce carbon emissions by 42,000 metric tons every year.

“This is an example of how desalination plants can help contribute to energy reliability, in addition to water reliability, by taking appropriate action to increase the available energy capacity during the extreme heat event,” said Channelside President, Sachin Chawla. “We’re proud to do whatever we can to help our region address the current energy shortage.”

At Lake Powell, a ‘Front-Row Seat’ to a Drying Colorado River and an Uncertain Future

/in , , /by /Arizona Republicby Brandon Loomis

At his office whiteboard on this dam town’s desert edge, the water utility manager recited the federal government’s latest measures of the colossal reservoir that lay 4 miles down the road, then scrawled an ominous sketch showing how far it has shrunk.

In his stylized drawing of Lake Powell, the surface lapped just above where he marked his town’s drinking water pipe, bringing the Colorado River drought crisis uncomfortably close to home.

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Carlsbad Desal Plant Water Output Cut 20% to Conserve Power Amid Heat Wave

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein

Water production at the Carlsbad desalination plan has been temporarily reduced to conserve power while the heat wave stresses California’s electric grid.

The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, which can produce up to 50 million gallons per day, typically accounts for about 1% of peak electricity demand in San Diego Gas & Electric’s service area.

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San Diego County Showing Way Forward in Beating Back Water Shortages

/in , , , /by /KPIX-TVby Reed Cowan Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

More than 30 years ago, if you were to visit San Diego County, you would be struck by the lush green lawns, beautiful gardens, and many folks washing their cars.

The county alongside the Pacific Coast appeared to be flush with water. But in all actuality, a major water catastrophe was already in the works.

From 1987-1992, California was hit with a megadrought, and San Diego, which was at the end of the fresh water pipeline, was in deep trouble.

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San Diego’s Imported Water Supply May Not Be as Secure as Hoped

/in , /by /KPBSby Erik Anderson

San Diego water managers exude an understated confidence when they talk about the regional drought that is drying up California and the Colorado River Basin.

 

(Editor’s Note: Under the conserved water transfer agreement with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), the San Diego County Water Authority funds conservation in the Imperial Valley that generates highly reliable and cost-effective conserved water for the San Diego region. This conserved water supply is largely insulated because of IID’s high priority rights, which IID retains.) 

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North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition Awarded Up to $17.8 Million in Federal Funding to Continue Improving Local Water Supply Reliability

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Encinitas, Calif. — The United States Bureau of Reclamation has announced that it has awarded the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition a grant of up to $17.8 million for the development of recycled water infrastructure in San Diego’s North County.

“As we face increasingly devastating drought conditions, it’s imperative that we continue to diversify our water supplies and strengthen our local water independence,” said U.S. Representative Mike Levin. “The North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition plays a critical role in that effort, which is why I am proud to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding investments for their important work to expand the use of recycled water.”

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‘It Puts Us In a Predicament:’ New East County Water Chief Reflects on his Biggest Challenges

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Blake Nelson

When Brian Olney started in the water industry nearly three decades ago, it seemed nobody paid attention to what he and his colleagues were doing.

“The general consensus was: Water fell from the sky, it shows up in our faucet, no one wants to hear anything from the water agencies,” Olney said. “That has changed dramatically.”

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High quality landscape soil will support your WaterSmart landscape design. Photo: Lisa Fotios/Pexels healthy soil

Getting the Dirt on Healthy Landscape Soil

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Soil is essential to a healthy landscape and efficient water use. Learn about your soil’s characteristics and how to care for it. The results include easier maintenance, a healthier environment, and a more beautiful landscape.

Here are some simple tests to help you evaluate your soil.

Soil Drainage Assessment

Evaluate your results based on the drainage rate. First, dig a hole 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep. Set aside the soil for additional tests.

A simple, quick test will tel you how well your soil drains. Photo: Greywater.org landscape soil

A simple, quick test will tell you how well your soil drains. Photo: Greywater.org

Next, fill the hole with water. Let it drain overnight. Then fill the hole with water a second time. Set a stick in the hole so water just reaches the top. In one hour, measure the drop in water from the top of the stick in inches.

Drainage less than one inch per hour: Poor Drainage. This may be due to high clay content or soil compaction. Add compost to the soil before planting to improve soil aggregation and water infiltration. Select plants that can tolerate poor drainage or consider using raised beds or mounds. Regular surface applications of shredded mulch may be helpful for long-term management. Irrigation should be scheduled for short cycles and long soak periods to meet plant water demand and avoid runoff.

Drainage is between one to three inches per hour: Acceptable Drainage.

Drainage more than three inches per hour: Water moves too quickly through your soil. Add compost before planting to hold the water in the root zone longer and select plants tolerant of fast drainage. Regular surface applications of shredded mulch may be helpful for long term management. Irrigation scheduling may require longer watering times to ensure plants have enough available water at the root zone.

The Worm Test is another method of providing insight into the health of your soil biology. Sift through the soil removed to perform the drainage test. If you can’t find at least ten earthworms, your soil is low on organics and will benefit from the addition of compost when planting. Use shredded mulch after planting to continue to feed the beneficial organisms. Worms help reduce soil compaction, allowing water and air to move into the soil to provide healthy growing conditions and maximize efficient water usage.

Determine Your Landscape Soil Type: Squeeze It and Jar It

The Squeeze Test can help you determine the texture of your soil. Start by taking a handful of moistened (but not wet) soil and squeeze it firmly. Open your hand and determine which of the following it most resembles.

This soil isn’t retaining enough moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz

High sand content soil. A ball of soil falls apart when you open your hand.

This soil retains too much moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz

This soil retains the correct and healthy amount of moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz

Loamy soil. The ball of soil holds its shape but crumbles when you poke it lightly.

This soil retains too much moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz

This soil retains too much moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz

High clay content soil. Holds its shape and does not crumble when you poke it lightly. Sand is quick draining but has a limited ability to retain nutrients and moisture. Sandy soils often benefit from the addition of organic matter.

Loam is generally considered ideal soil because it retains moisture and nutrients but doesn’t stay soggy. Clay is typically nutrient-rich but has poor drainage. Drainage can sometimes be improved by deep cultivation which breaks up the hard layer of soil

Use this graphic as an example to compare your jar to. Aim to get the most even distribution, as shown with the loam jar. Image: Water Authority

Use this graphic as an example. Aim to get the most even distribution, as shown with the loam jar. Image: San Diego County Water Authority

For the Jar Test, use a one-quart size glass container, such as a Mason Jar. Add one cup of soil from the garden. Add three cups of distilled water. Close and shake the jar until all solids are suspended in water.

Place the container on a shelf and wait 24 hours. If the container is cloudy, then wait another 24 hours. After 48 hours, the layers should be settled with sand on the bottom, silt in the middle, and clay on top.

Measure the layers in proportion to each other. Refer to the graphic to determine your soil type based on the proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Refer to the USDA soil triangle with the soil separation percentages to determine your soil texture.

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WaterSmart Living-Logo-San Diego County Water Authority

(Editor’s Note: The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies offer programs, resources, and incentives to improve water-use efficiency for residential, commercial, and agricultural users. WaterSmart choices are a way of life in the region. Stay WaterSmart San Diego! For more water-use efficiency resources, go to WaterSmart.SD.org.)

We Built a House of Cards:’ Deal or Not, Colorado River States Stare Down Major Cuts

/in , , /by /The Nevada Independentby Daniel Rothberg

Major Colorado River cuts must be made, one way or another. The only looming questions are when and on what terms, with negotiators scheduled to resume interstate meetings this week.

The Colorado River remains in an unfolding and worsening crisis. Demand far exceeds supply. Long-term drought, worsened by climate change, has meant less water refilling the river’s large reservoirs as water users have continued to overtap them. Lake Mead, outside of Las Vegas, is the grim evidence, where, at 27 percent full, old boats have washed ashore in what can feel like an apocalyptic scene. The math is unavoidable: Without cuts, the reservoir will keep dropping.

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Western States Plan Projects as Water Supply Dwindles

/in , , /by /Engineering News-Record by Corinne Grinapol, C.J. Schexnayder, and Pam McFarland

As Mexico and the seven western states that rely on water from the Colorado River Basin struggle to contend with current repercussions of a more than two-decade drought—including federally imposed cuts to water supply in the coming year—they must also plan for a drier future exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

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