In California water news today, No heat, no light? Not so bad. No water? Much worse; For California well owners, clean water is hard to get as state, local hurdles remain; Prop 65 was meant to protect residents from toxic water. How did warning stickers end up on everything?; DMV-approved stamp available for customer water bills; Feds push to open 1 million acres to fracking in California; Jerry Brown implores Washington to act on climate: ‘California’s burning’; In Napa Valley, winemakers fight climate change on all fronts; Inyo County: LA DWP may sell land now used for discharge; Utilities are shutting down power amid fire danger, but the DWP keeps the lights on. Should it?; San Diego creates state’s first water, sewer ‘capacity bank’ to boost biotech, breweries; and more …
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
No heat, no light? Not so bad. No water? Much worse: “When the lights went out this week, Susan Illich of Sebastopol didn’t just lose power. She also lost water. That’s because, like thousands of residents in Sonoma County, she relies on a private well that operates with an electric pump. “The one common thing everyone needs access to is water,” she said. If the fire had gotten closer, she would have had no water to hose down her roof. “Water puts out fire,” she said. “My basic rights to fend off fire that could have killed me and my pets and damaged my home was obstructed.” ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: No heat, no light? Not so bad. No water? Much worse
For California well owners, clean water is hard to get as state, local hurdles remain: “Water is scarce and dirty for many in Fresno County’s small West Park community. They’re not alone. It’s a common and persistent challenge for residents throughout California who rely on water wells. Residents in West Park, an unincorporated cluster of houses and buildings on the southwestern outskirts of Fresno, say they have stopped drinking the water altogether. The water’s trace amounts of uranium and nitrates cause them to shut their eyes and mouths as tightly as possible when showering. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: For California well owners, clean water is hard to get as state, local hurdles remain
Prop 65 was meant to protect residents from toxic water. How did warning stickers end up on everything? “If you’ve gone shopping lately, you may have seen a creeping number of warning labels affixed to faux leather jackets, jewelry, even bathing suits. These labels, which ominously suggest that the product could give you cancer, all trace back to a single California law: Proposition 65. A shift began in the late 1960s, when a series of oil spills changed how California discussed water contamination. In 1968, when a corporate leak into the Dominguez Channel provoked a meager $100 fine, the Los Angeles Times complained that the state was “in serious danger of losing the fight against pollution of its irreplaceable water resources.” ... ” Continue reading at Vox here: Prop 65 was meant to protect residents from toxic water. How did warning stickers end up on everything?
Researchers discover antibiotic-resistant genes in recycled Southern California wastewater: “Wastewater recycling offers a variety of environmental benefits but also a big challenge: antibiotic-resistant genes that can lead to super bugs we don’t have medicine to treat. Adam Smith of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering wants to know more. Smith, assistant professor in the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his team studied samples from a Southern California advanced groundwater treatment facility and from aquifers to compare concentrations of antibiotic-resistant genes. … ” Read more from USC News here: Researchers discover antibiotic-resistant genes in recycled Southern California wastewater
DMV-approved stamp available for customer water bills: “The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is asking for assistance from water agencies to help inform their customers about the application process required to obtain a REAL ID. It is not always known that water bills can be used to provide proof of California residency. To generate increased awareness, the DMV developed a digital stamp that can be downloaded and placed on customer bills or envelopes. The stamp lets customers know that a hard copy of their water bill may be used as one of the official REAL ID residency verification documents. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: DMV-approved stamp available for customer water bills
Feds push to open 1 million acres to fracking in California: “The Trump administration unveiled a plan to open another million acres in California to oil and gas development and fracking, one day after being sued by conservationists for similar plans in a different part of the state. The Bureau of Land Management released its environmental analysis Thursday concluding that hydraulic fracturing and oil and gas extraction in counties located in the south state do not conflict with the land management goals of the agency. … ” Read more from Courthouse News Service here: Feds push to open 1 million acres to fracking in California
CLIMATE
Climate reality clashes with California dreams: “Thousands of people remain under mandatory evacuation orders in Northern California. Some have endured wildfires, smoke, floods, blackouts and evacuations many times. Now, even though the state’s population is predicted to top 40 million this year, some are wondering whether California is the dream they’d hoped for. ... ” Read more from KQED here: Climate reality clashes with California dreams
Jerry Brown implores Washington to act on climate: ‘California’s burning’: “Former California Gov. Jerry Brown visited Capitol Hill on Tuesday to give an impassioned plea for dramatic action to combat climate change, citing California’s wildfires as an example of the “life-and-death” stakes. Accusing Republicans of being “flat Earth” science deniers, Brown defended California’s efforts to set higher fuel economy standards in the face of President Trump’s attempted rollback of such rules nationally, but called for far more sweeping steps as well. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Jerry Brown implores Washington to act on climate
AGRICULTURE
Realizing the Conservation Benefits of Precision Agriculture: “The House Agriculture Committee recently held a hearing focused on realizing the conservation benefits of precision agriculture. Vice President and General Manager of TerraNova Ranch, Don Cameron spoke to the committee on behalf of the California Farm Bureau Federation highlighting some of conservation practices his operation has implemented over the years. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Realizing the Conservation Benefits of Precision Agriculture
The first map of America’s food supply chain is mind-boggling: “My team at the University of Illinois just developed the first high-resolution map of the U.S. food supply chain. Our map is a comprehensive snapshot of all food flows between counties in the U.S.—grains, fruits and vegetables, animal feed, and processed food items. To build the map, we brought together information from eight databases, including the Freight Analysis Framework from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which tracks where items are shipped around the country, and Port Trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which shows the international ports through which goods are traded. … ” Read more at Fast Company here: The first map of America’s food supply chain is mind-boggling
NATIONAL
Northwest snowpack at center of ongoing debate: “The snowpack that irrigates Northwest crops has been measured extensively, studied deeply and politicized thoroughly. Yet, it won’t easily reveal its past or the outlook for its future. Some scientists have reported astonishing snowpack declines over the past century but are hard-pressed to quantify much change in the Cascades over the past 40 years. Politicians and scientists both say the 2015 “snowpack drought,” when much of the high-altitude precipitation fell as rain, foreshadows the future. … ” Read more from the Capital Press here: Northwest snowpack at center of ongoing debate
Is renewable energy’s future dammed? “Just outside Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a year-round, mineral-rich spring turns the Little Colorado River a vivid turquoise. This final stretch, about 10 miles from the river’s confluence with its larger relative, is one of the West’s spectacular waterways, with bright water flowing below steep red-rock cliffs. But the view will change dramatically if a Phoenix-based company builds a proposed hydropower project. The two dams could alter the flow, discolor the water and flood a Hopi cultural site. … ” Read more from High Country News here: Is renewable energy’s future dammed?
Toxic scum threatens people as warming helps algae grow: “Lake Erie is sick with toxic algae, and climate change is making it sicker. No one was swimming on a warm late August day at a popular park near Toledo. Three people occupied a beach that could hold a thousand. Everyone knows the lake contains dangerous algae. Few understand why the algal blooms are toxic or how climate change is tipping the scales. “Mother Nature is throwing some weird curveballs out here,” said Chris Winslow, director of the Ohio Sea Grant program, during a recent visit to the Stone Laboratory, Ohio State University’s research center on Gibraltar Island. ... ” Read more from E&E News here: Toxic scum threatens people as warming helps algae grow
Watching Earth’s Interconnected Systems at Work: “Space-based Earth observations are critical in advancing both our fundamental understanding of how the planet operates and our ability to monitor, predict, and respond to changes on short and long timescales. To prioritize Earth observation needs for the next decade, the National Academy of Sciences developed a short list of high-priority observing systems called “designated observables” according to the 2017 decadal survey for Earth observation from space, the most recent survey. One of the designated observables is Surface Biology and Geology (SBG), which addresses critical scientific questions and topics with respect to ecology and biodiversity (terrestrial and aquatic), hydrology, physical geography, solid Earth science, and societally beneficial applications relevant to each of these areas. … ” Read more from EOS here: Watching Earth’s Interconnected Systems at Work
Rising seas threaten tens of millions more people with inundation, study says. Even that may underestimate the impact: “Using updated estimates of coastal elevations, a new study shows that more than three times as many people than previously thought are currently living in areas at risk of being under water during high tide in the second half of the century. The study reckons that 110 million people today live in these coastal zones that are threatened with inundation at high tide in the coming decades, up from earlier estimates of about 28 million people. The increase in the number of people vulnerable to sea-level rise, most of whom live in eight Asian countries, results from more precise mapping. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue here: Rising Seas Threaten Tens of Millions More People with Inundation, Study Says. Even That May Underestimate the Impact
In regional news and commentary today …
In Napa Valley, winemakers fight climate change on all fronts: “Every wine region has had to deal with some manifestation of climate change, but few have had to deal with as many devastating consequences as Napa Valley. On Labor Day 2017, as the weekslong harvest was getting underway, the temperature reached 110 degrees here in the heart of cabernet sauvignon country. But extreme summer heat has not been the only issue. An abnormally warm January and February in 2015 set the growing season in motion early. But a cold snap in May caused many growers to lose 40 to 50 percent of their crop. … ” Read more from the New York Times here: In Napa Valley, winemakers fight climate change on all fronts
Tunnels under San Francisco? Inside the dark, dangerous world of the sewers: “Here at Bay Curious, we’ve received a lot of questions about tunnels under San Francisco. Listeners have told us they’ve heard stories of secret passageways running under the city. They’ve asked us, what is the truth about them? The first thing I should tell you is: They’re absolutely real. ... ” Read more from KQED here: Tunnels under San Francisco? Inside the dark, dangerous world of the sewers
Desal drama takes a new turn toward the absurd at Monterey One Water, says Mary Duan: She writes, “You know it’s going to be a lunatic public meeting if it involves Monterey Peninsula water issues. You also know it’s going to be a lunatic public meeting about Monterey Peninsula water issues when it starts just minutes after the staff of the California Coastal Commission has posted a 110-page report in which it recommends the commissioners deny coastal development permits for the wells that would supply California American Water’s proposed desalination plant. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: Desal drama takes a new turn toward the absurd at Monterey One Water.
Can a well-connected lobbyist help Cal Am prevail at the Coastal Commission? “The plan by California American Water to build a $329 million desalination plant for Monterey Peninsula is about to face a critical vote. … The Weekly reviewed Coastal Commission filings and disclosures, discovering that Cal Am has enlisted a well-known lobbyist in its effort to sway commissioners. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: Can a well-connected lobbyist help Cal Am prevail at the Coastal Commission?
San Luis Obispo County to conduct aerial survey of Paso Basin groundwater: “The County of San Luis Obispo announced plans to map the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. Officials say they will survey the local aquifer system starting in early to mid-November. … ” Read more from KEYT here: San Luis Obispo County to conduct aerial survey of Paso Basin groundwater
Inyo County: LA DWP may sell land now used for discharge: “In the long run, the biggest news from Monday’s Bishop City Council meeting may be that Los Angeles Department of Water and Power could consider selling the land being used for waste water discharge by both the City of Bishop and the Eastern Sierra Community Service District. And, the news gets better. While the nine department parcels recently listed for sale will be appraised for the highest and best use—a term that implies serious money—Clarence Martin, LADWP aqueduct manager, told the Council, this acreage would be sold as ranch land. … ” Read more from the Sierra Wave here: Inyo County: LA DWP may sell land now used for discharge
Montecito’s ‘lousy’ ground water basin: “The groundwater basins on most of the urban South Coast are drought buffers of last resort, to be conserved for pumping in emergencies. But in Montecito, as many as 1,500 private well owners may have “straws” in the same small basin as the Montecito Water District with its 12 public wells, a team of consultants told the district board this month. … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent here: Montecito’s ‘lousy’ ground water basin
Carpinteria city council opposes drilling and fracking: “On Monday, October 28, the Carpinteria City Council unanimously approved and adopted a resolution opposing the Trump administration’s plan to open 122,000 acres to new oil drilling and fracking on federal public lands and mineral estate in Santa Barbara County. Acting on a request at a September meeting from Los Padres ForestWatch and a Carpinteria resident, the council requested staff to prepare a measure for consideration that would counter the plan which includes lands in the Carpinteria Valley adjacent to Los Padres National Forest near Cate School and Gobernador Creek, which flows through the city to Carpinteria State Beach. … ” Read more from Edhat here: Carpinteria city council opposes drilling and fracking
Utilities are shutting down power amid fire danger, but the DWP keeps the lights on. Should it? “When strong winds hit California, utility companies increasingly cut power to neighborhoods across the state to try to reduce the threat of wildfires. This week alone, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison blacked out tens of thousands of homes as historic winds struck. But in Los Angeles, the Department of Water and Power continues to keep the switch on, permitting electricity to course through its 6,000 miles of power lines, even when the fire threat grows. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Utilities are shutting down power amid fire danger, but the DWP keeps the lights on. Should it?
Doheny desalination plant still on track despite higher cost estimates: “While projected cost increases to the proposed Doheny desalination plant drew concern from two South Coast Water District directors at a meeting Wednesday, the majority of the board took the updated analysis in stride and the district continues pursuit of the project. The bottom line for the average residential customer is that the expected monthly bill increase is now $10 — a 9% hike — rather than the $5 to $7 estimated in a 2017 report. Three members of the five-member board appeared comfortable with the latest estimates. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: Doheny desalination plant still on track despite higher cost estimates
San Diego creates state’s first water, sewer ‘capacity bank’ to boost biotech, breweries: “San Diego will create California’s first “capacity bank” for water and sewer, allowing breweries and biotech firms to cheaply buy excess water and sewer capacity from former factories. The City Council unanimously approved the capacity bank on Tuesday, calling it an innovative idea that will create jobs and help the city avoid expensive expansions of its sewer and water infrastructure. “From conversations I’ve had with a lot of breweries in my district, this is going to be a very popular program,” said Councilman Chris Cate, who represents Miramar, Mira Mesa and Kearny Mesa. ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: San Diego creates state’s first water, sewer ‘capacity bank’ to boost biotech, breweries
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
