On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include consideration of a resolution certifying a Supplemental Program EIR for the IRLP, consideration of an order amending 8 WDR General orders for growers in Central Valley; and renewal of Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDES permit. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- MEETING: The Delta Stewardship Council meets beginning at 9am. Agenda items include the Delta Adapts Adaptation Strategy Kickoff, an update on the Delta Conveyance Project, and the Delta Lead Scientist report. Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.
- SAFER Advisory Group Meeting, Part B: Agenda items: SAFER Updates, Needs Assessment, Fund Expenditure Plan, Public Comment. Click here for the meeting notice and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Direct Potable Reuse: Early draft of the anticipated criteria at 9:30am. The State Water Board has prepared an Addendum to A Proposed Framework for Regulating DPR in California, 2nd Edition. The Addendum is an early draft of the anticipated criteria for direct potable reuse for stakeholder review and input. At the workshop, State Water Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW) staff will present an overview of the early draft of the anticipated criteria for DPR and invite the public and interested parties to present oral comments. Click here for the full meeting notice and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC MEETING: CA WATER COMMISSION: Q&A session for applicants submitting screening information for water storage projects from 12pm to 1pm. The California Water Commission is accepting screening information for water storage projects that may be eligible for Proposition 1, Chapter 8 funding through the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). Interested parties are encouraged to attend an informational session on April 22, 2021, to learn more about the program’s requirements and to ask any questions they may have regarding potential water storage projects. Register here
- FREE WEBINAR: Feeding the Future from 1pm to 2pm. In order to shift to a more sustainable food system, we need to more closely examine our food choices, including how they are produced and managed before and beyond the plate. The next webinar in our Feeding the Future series will dive deeper into some of the systemic issues of our consumption. Sustainable Conservation Advisory Board member and Co-Founder and Chair of the Center for Good Food Purchasing, Paula Daniels, will moderate a panel of experts to discuss food waste, sustainable diets, and a circular economy approach that could both reduce food waste and boost more climate-friendly food choices. Click here to register.
In California drought news …
Newsom launches effort to deal with drought; emergencies declared in two counties
“Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday declared a drought emergency in two Northern California counties as he stood on the dry shoreline of Lake Mendocino. The declaration gives state regulators expanded powers to curtail diversions in the parched Russian River watershed and relax river flow standards that would require more releases from the region’s shrinking reservoirs. Newsom has been under pressure from some quarters to declare a statewide drought emergency. But the administration favors a more targeted approach. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Newsom launches effort to deal with drought; emergencies declared in two counties
Governor declares drought emergency in northwest counties
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom today declared a drought emergency for parched water systems along the Russian River watershed that serve hundreds of thousands of Californians in two counties. The emergency declaration will allow state agencies to consider relaxing some requirements for reservoir releases, allowing more water to be stored in reservoirs serving Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Most of the state is suffering severe drought conditions due to low rainfall and snowpack, but state water officials said that the other regions aren’t hit hard enough yet to declare a statewide emergency. Standing on the edge of Lake Mendocino, a rain-fed reservoir rimmed with a cracked crust of mud, Newsom said he is preparing statewide by calling for a range of actions, such as improved monitoring of groundwater pumping and reporting of dry wells to the state. ... ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Governor declares drought emergency in northwest counties
California wells will go dry this summer. ‘Alarm bells are sounding’ in the Valley
“Thousands of wells that bring water to San Joaquin Valley homes are at risk of drying up this summer, leaving families without running water for drinking, cleaning and bathing. While no one knows the extent of the threat from this second year of drought conditions, Jonathan Nelson with the Community Water Center says “the alarm bells are sounding.” Homes, farms and entire communities that rely on shallow wells as their only source of water are vulnerable to declining groundwater levels from dry conditions and agricultural pumping. ... ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: California wells will go dry this summer. ‘Alarm bells are sounding’ in the Valley
Experts predict oncoming drought for at least 60% of California
“From the fast-moving South Yuba River to snowless land, there are many ways to tell that snowmelt in the central Sierra is happening quicker and sooner than expected. But for Megan Seifert, the founder and executive director of the educational-based nonprofit Headwaters Science Institute, the most telling sign is daffodils. “No, these actually have been out for over two weeks and I really can’t remember a time that we’ve had them out before sometime in May, June,” Seifert told FOX40 Wednesday. … ” Read more from Fox 40 here: Experts predict oncoming drought for at least 60% of California
Reclamation providing $808,912 to California, Nebraska and Utah to prepare for future droughts
“The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $808,912 to five entities in California, Nebraska and Utah to develop a drought contingency plan or update an existing plan. These drought plans will help regions and communities plan for and build long-term resiliency to drought. The funding is being made available as part of Reclamation’s Drought Response Program, a part of WaterSMART. The program supports President Biden’s new Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad as it increases resilience to the impacts of climate change. “The drought contingency planning process is an open and inclusive planning effort that helps communities build a long-term resiliency to drought,” said Chief Engineer David Raff. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation providing $808,912 to California, Nebraska and Utah to prepare for future droughts
White House launches drought relief working group to address urgency of Western water crisis
“The Biden-Harris administration today announced the formation of an Interagency Working Group to address worsening drought conditions in the West and support farmers, Tribes, and communities impacted by ongoing water shortages. The Working Group will be co-chaired by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to build upon existing resources to help coordinate across the federal government, working in partnership with state, local, and Tribal governments to address the needs of communities suffering from drought-related impacts. The White House released a readout from today’s National Climate Task Force Meeting announcing the new Working Group. “Water is a sacred resource. This Interagency Working Group will deliver a much-needed proactive approach to providing drought assistance to U.S. communities, including efforts to build long-term resiliency to water shortages,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “We are committed to using every resource available to our bureaus to ensure that Tribes, irrigators and the adjoining communities receive adequate assistance and support.” … ” Continue reading this press release from the Department of the Interior here: White House launches drought relief working group to address urgency of Western water crisis
Yurok, Karuk tribes join coalition to ask for federal aid due to extreme drought predictions
“The Yurok and Karuk Tribes, along with the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, have united with Klamath Basin conservationists and commercial fishermen to jointly sign a letter asking the Biden administration for significant financial relief to all Klamath Basin communities in response to extreme drought predictions. The Karuk Tribe, the Yurok Tribe, the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, American Rivers, California Waterfowl, California Trout, Fly Fishers International Northern California Council, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), Sustainable Northwest, and Trout Unlimited sent the letter calling for $250 million in federal funding to invest in both short-term and long-term measures to assist native species like birds and fish and for infrastructure improvements designed to prevent similar disasters in future low-water years. ... ” Read more from the North Coast Journal here: Yurok, Karuk tribes join coalition to ask for federal aid due to extreme drought predictions
READ MORE:
-
- North Bay Ranchers Already Struggling With Drought Conditions Before Emergency Declaration, from CBS Bay Area
- California Water Woes Trickle Down To Local Farmers, from CBS Sacramento
- Local, regional lawmakers respond to Gov. Newsom’s drought emergency in two northern CA counties, from the Bakersfield Californian
Reactions from legislators, water agencies, and NGOs to Newsom’s drought emergency …
From the DC delegation of California Republicans:
Today, Congressman David G. Valadao along with House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Representatives Ken Calvert, Mike Garcia, Darrell Issa, Young Kim, Doug LaMalfa, Devin Nunes, and Michelle Steel released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s decision to declare a drought state of emergency for only two counties – Mendocino and Sonoma – while counties in the rest of the state are also experiencing severe drought con[suditions:
“Governor Newsom’s irresponsible decision to declare a state of emergency in only two counties is an absolute outrage. Mendocino and Sonoma face drought conditions that warrant State action. But far more than two counties in California are in desperate need of water. The Central Valley is responsible for putting food on the table for the rest of the nation, and farmers and ranchers simply cannot grow the food we need without reliable access to water. Our local economies are crippled by water scarcity, and by ignoring the needs of the Central Valley, the lack of action by Governor Newsom in addressing this crisis is a failure to lead. Agriculture groups, farmers, elected officials, and community leaders at every level on both sides of the aisle have repeatedly requested Governor Newsom issue a statewide declaration of emergency due to the dire drought conditions, and he has made it clear that he is not listening.”
From Executive Director Dave Eggerton with the Association of California Water Agencies:
“ACWA appreciates Gov. Gavin Newsom’s targeted approach today in declaring a drought emergency in the Russian River Watershed. In doing so, the governor recognizes that dry-year conditions are affecting regions differently. Equally important, Gov. Newsom’s action today raises awareness among all Californians about the need for continued water use efficiency efforts and additional investment in water resilience infrastructure to prepare for drought and impacts of climate change on our state’s water resources. Gov. Newsom also reaffirmed his commitment to a comprehensive strategy in achieving drought resiliency, including a successful conclusion of negotiations toward Voluntary Agreements. Local public water agencies take dry year conditions very seriously and plan for and invest in local solutions to ensure preparedness for dry years. ACWA stands ready to work collaboratively with members, and in partnership with the state and federal governments to protect and maximize our available water supplies.”
From Senator Andreas Borgeas:
“With the Governor’s drought declaration today in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, the Central Valley can’t afford to be overlooked. California is in a drought. We need a statewide emergency declaration immediately in order to deliver more water to farmers and growers in the Valley.”
From Congressman Jim Costa:
“History has shown us that devastating impacts sustained drought has on our communities. It is without question that this drought will have human and economic impacts that we cannot wait to confront. I am encouraged to hear the Governor discuss flexibility and real-time strategic changes. For his regional strategy to be successful he must focus on the needs of the San Joaquin Valley, the breadbasket of California.
We must use all the tools in our water toolbox to get through this crisis. We need flexibility and reassurances that we balance supporting communities, farmers, and environmental needs. I am hopeful that the state and federal governments will work together in managing this drought and I will advocate and push for the resources necessary to help the Valley through this difficult time.”
From Ann Hayden at the Environmental Defense Fund:
“EDF applauds Gov. Newsom for setting the wheels in motion for coordinated activities among several state agencies to accelerate both short-term targeted emergency actions where drought impacts are most severe and long-term preparedness for more extreme swings in weather caused by climate change. With climate change, even in the dry years, we have to assume the next year may be even worse,” said Ann Hayden, Senior Director, Western Water and Resilient Landscapes, Environmental Defense Fund.
“One immediate priority should be protecting drinking water for lower-income communities who have historically been overlooked and in some areas actually saw their wells dry up during the last drought. And we must be vigilant about protecting our environment, which is stressed even in moderate years and has fewer options for adjusting in drought. Additional support and new approaches also must be developed to help California’s farmers and ranchers over the long term — not just in a drought year — given their crucial role in providing food for our entire country. More funding, better information for decision-making, and innovative new water and land use strategies are critical to ensuring the resilience of California in the face of climate change.”
From Senator Shannon Grove:
“The governor needs to realize that food security for families depends on the ability of California farmers to continue producing, and we all know that food grows, where water flows. As a representative of the largest food-producing region in the entire world, I urge the governor to prioritize our food security, declare a state of emergency not just for two counties but for the entire state and deliver more water to our farmlands and communities. Californians deserve better,” said Senator Shannon Grove.
From Congressman Josh Harder:
“It’s more than clear our state is heading for a drought. It’s a no-brainer,” said Rep. Harder. “So, here’s what needs to happen. First, the Central Valley needs to have a seat at the table in any and all conversations on water. We’re the first to get hit when droughts occur and the last to recover, and we won’t be pushed around by Sacramento when it comes to our water. Second, the federal government needs to step up and deliver on real water infrastructure investments. Since day one, I’ve been calling on all administrations – Democratic and Republican – to support smart and sustainable storage projects such as the Del Puerto Canyon one, and I won’t stop until we secure the funding we need here in the Valley. When every year feels like a drought year, the time to invest in water storage infrastructure is right now.” Rep. Harder has been pushing the Biden administration to support Central Valley water infrastructure projects for weeks. Read more about his efforts here, here, and here.
From Senator Robert Hertzberg:
“It’s been barely five years since California exited the last historic drought, and here we find ourselves in the second year of drought conditions that threatens every facet of our lives,” says Senate Majority Leader Robert M. Hertzberg (D – Van Nuys). “Agricultural growers, urban water users, and our natural ecosystems will be hit hard. But we can’t leave behind our rural and disadvantaged communities who are at perilous risk of losing running water as our drought worsens. California was ill-prepared for our last drought, but we are better equipped to handle drought this time around due to legislative efficiency and planning efforts passed in 2018. We must continue building on this progress, which is what my bill, SB 552, will do. Ensuring we have meaningful emergency planning and drought resiliency infrastructure will help us avert yet another humanitarian crisis.”
From Senator Melissa Hurtado:
“The drought has serious and devastating consequences for all, especially to many agricultural communities in the Central Valley,” said Senator Hurtado. “Droughts are not unique to California, but as the producer of a third of the country’s vegetables and two-thirds of the nation’s fruits and nuts, this drought will greatly worsen food insecurity and health across the state, and country. Today’s action by Governor Newsom rings the alarm bell for California and gets our state government moving to increase our drought resilience. With the Legislature working on critical funding to help our local communities deal with dry conditions, I will continue to push for clean water for rural families and to repair our water infrastructure in the Central Valley. This work can only be successful with community input on how to adapt to these drought conditions, and I encourage residents to send me their ideas on how California can conserve water and improve drought conditions.”
From Assemblymember Marc Levine:
“Today’s action by Governor Newsom highlights the dire impacts of the climate crisis on our community,” said Assemblymember Levine. “Ongoing drought conditions along the North Coast will have a direct impact on water supplies throughout the North Bay. We must take action now to increase water conservation and make all necessary resources available to address this drought emergency. “The climate crisis shows that the threat of future floods, droughts, wildfires, sea level rise and other climate caused disasters across the state are here to stay,” added Levine. “Making California resilient to climate change will require us to think differently about how we respond to climate caused emergencies. My wildfire prevention and protection legislative package takes important steps to help communities adapt to an ever-changing climate. Adapting to the demands of a changing climate will not be easy, but they are essential to ensure that Californians have a safe place to call home and that farmers can grow the food needed to feed the world.” For more info on Levine’s wildfire prevention and protection legislative package, please visit: https://a10.asmdc.org/press-releases/20210322-levine-wildfire-prevention-protection-package-will-help-high-risk
From Kate Poole at the Natural Resources Defense Council:
“California has seen droughts before, but what we are experiencing now are changes to our hydrology on a broader scale, that require us to revamp our relationship with water from the bottom up. California must invest aggressively in water conservation and reuse to alleviate over-tapped rivers and aquifers. It is time for state leaders to revisit our outdated water rights and allocation system to ensure safe drinking water and create realistic expectations of what nature will provide in a hotter, drier future caused by human-driven climate change. The State Water Board must require that more water remain instream to
From Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District:
“Today’s action by the governor advances a much-needed effort on how to finance water progress in California while managing through the ongoing drought conditions. A window of opportunity appears to be opening at the state and federal levels to fund water infrastructure needs for California and the nation. The governor’s call for his departments to coordinate and recommend actions is a helpful step in the process. As Metropolitan continues its investments in conservation, Southern California communities are seeking to lead the nation in recycling wastewater that now is discharged to the Pacific Ocean – but we will need help. With leadership in Sacramento and Washington, we can take historic steps to build drought-proof water supplies for California.”From Gary Croucher, Board Chair of the San Diego County Water Authority:
“We applaud Governor Newsom for taking a targeted, flexible, and iterative approach to drought management that provides support for individual regions that are suffering from drought while also recognizing regions like San Diego County that have sufficient water supplies due to three decades of investments in supply reliability. The governor’s Water Portfolio Strategy aligns with our long-term investments in a diversified water portfolio, desalinated seawater, conserved water from Imperial County, local water-use efficiency measures, and increased water storage. Because of those actions and others, our residents have enough water for 2021 and future dry years. We also applaud the efforts of our ratepayers, who have cut per capita water use by nearly half since 1990.
“In addition, the innovative and resilient supply portfolio created by the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies puts our region in a unique position to provide solutions that can help California weather this drought and future droughts – for instance, by storing water in Lake Mead. We look forward to working with the governor and his staff to collaborate on projects and programs where we can use our assets and experience to help areas that are hit hard by drought in the face of a changing climate. “Finally, we are proud to be a founding member of the coalition of water agencies mentioned by the governor that support the important scientific research being done on climate change by our own Scripps Institution of Oceanography.”
From Sonoma Water:
Sonoma Water and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Lynda Hopkins said, “Thank you to Governor Newsom for taking action on the drought today and providing our region with immediate assistance. The Russian River watershed and our entire region, including Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties, are experiencing a severe drought that has resulted in historically low water storage levels at Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma. I look forward to collaborating with the Governor’s Office, state and federal agencies and our local water managers to ensure every tool is used to beat this drought. But the most important tool to implement right now is for every resident to start saving water. There is no water to waste.”
From Senator Scott Wilk:
“While the overwhelming majority of the state is experiencing extreme drought conditions, Governor Newsom has chosen to only serve his French Laundry wine and cheese crowd,” said Wilk. “The Biden Administration has declared an emergency drought in nearly all California counties, what more does the governor need to get on board with this? Is the threat of a recall holding him back from helping our food producers and the rest of the state? Californians deserve action now, not this unsteady leadership.”
Incoming precipitation …
Bone-dry California set to receive needed relief
“An abnormally dry winter and spring caused portions of the West to fall into the throes of a significant drought. The good news is that precipitation is on the way, but the bad news, AccuWeather forecasters say, is that what’s coming won’t be enough to mitigate long-term drought and wildfire concerns. … A brief change in the pattern will occur in the West this weekend and early next week. “There will be a brief respite from wildfire risk this weekend and next week as a series of storm systems aimed at the Pacific Northwest will bring rain chances and cooler weather,” LeSeney stated. … ” Read more from AccuWeather here: Bone-dry California set to receive needed relief
‘Not a drought-buster’; rare April storm front moving toward San Francisco Bay Area
“The cold front bringing April showers to the San Francisco Bay Area Sunday night won’t be strong enough to relieve the tinder-dry drought conditions, but the much needed precipitation will delay another historic wildfire season for now, according to the National Weather Service. The San Francisco Bay Area has slipped back into moderate to severe drought conditions after the jet stream carried the winter storms into the Northwest and left Northern California high and dry. … “This storm will have little overall impact on the long term drought,” federal forecasters said Wednesday. ... ” Read more from the CBS Sacramento here: ‘Not a drought-buster’; rare April storm front moving toward San Francisco Bay Area
Multiple atmospheric rivers forecast to impact U.S. West over next week
“Three ARs are forecast to make landfall over different locations across the U.S. West, bringing much needed precipitation to drought-stricken California. The first and weakest AR is forecast to bring dissipating, disorganized, and brief AR conditions to Northern California on 24 April, resulting in <1 inch for much of the Northern CA mountains. The Second AR is forecast to make landfall on the 25th, bringing as much as 2 inches of precipitation to Northern California. The third AR is forecast to make landfall over the Pacific Northwest on April 28th and could bring IVT magnitudes >700 kg m–1 s–1 to coastal Oregon, though ensemble uncertainty is currently high.” Read more from the Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes here: Multiple atmospheric rivers forecast to impact U.S. West over next week
In other California water news today …
A Stanford-designed tool could guide floodwater management and combat ongoing drought
“Floodwaters are not what most people consider a blessing. But they could help remedy California’s increasingly parched groundwater systems, according to a new Stanford-led study. The research, published in Science Advances, develops a framework to calculate future floodwater volumes under a changing climate and identifies areas where investments in California’s aging water infrastructure could amplify groundwater recharge. As the state grapples with more intense storms and droughts, stowing away floodwaters would not only reduce flood risks but also build more water reserves for drier times. “This is the first comprehensive assessment of floodwater recharge potential in California under climate change,” said study lead author Xiaogang He, an assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering at the National University of Singapore who pursued the research as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford’s Program on Water in the West. … ” Read more from Stanford News here: A Stanford-designed tool could guide floodwater management and combat ongoing drought
Citing potential water waste, court sides with California dam operators
“A federal court has ruled that Best Best & Krieger LLP client City of Santa Maria and others are correctly not releasing more water from a dam above the City, as doing so would be in conflict with the dam’s Congressional purpose. The City, represented by Partner Jeffrey Dunn, is a party in the lawsuit filed in 2019 by environmental groups San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper and Los Padres ForestWatch in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. … ” Read more from Best Best & Krieger here: Citing potential water waste, court sides with California dam operators
Adventures of a water drop, California style: An autobiographical synopsis
“Let me introduce myself. I am a California water drop. I condensed from billions of water vapor molecules in the air above the North Pacific Ocean to become embedded in the clouds that evolved into a large storm system. Through alternating ups and downs, and freeze and thaw cycles, I was carried in a rotating middle latitude wave cyclone as it drifted southeast and toward California. As the storm swept across the Golden State, I was forced to rise higher over the mountains and I grew as a giant ice crystal until I fell as a fluffy-turned-heavy snowflake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After weeks of resting in the snowpack just above 9,000’ elevation, I emerged in the spring thaw, melting into Yosemite’s subalpine ecosystems. I flowed down the slopes under the force of gravity and merged with similar water drops until we accumulated into rivulets that merged into tributary streams that finally joined the Merced River. ... ” Read more from Rediscovering the Golden State here: Adventures of a water drop, California style: An autobiographical synopsis
Solar panels on California’s canals could save water and help fight climate change
Sammy Roth writes, “I was initially skeptical when I read about a new study from researchers at UC Merced, finding that covering thousands of miles of California’s largest canals with solar panels could generate huge amounts of clean energy at a reasonable cost, while saving lots of water by reducing evaporation. … But when I’d heard these ideas floated in the past, I’d also heard skepticism from the people who run California’s water systems. How much would all that solar power cost? Who would build the power lines to scoop up those clean electrons and send them to faraway cities? And would the panels interfere with maintenance work to patch up aging canals? At first, it looked like this study would go over the same way. … Then a surprising thing happened. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Solar panels on California’s canals could save water and help fight climate change
Veles Weekly Report: NQH2O up $40 to $831.97
The Veles Weekly Report provides timely analysis around the technical and hydrologic factors that are moving water prices, as well as a comprehensive look at the latest news in water markets.
Irrigation issue report uncovers opportunity for growers to conserve water and increase profits
“Ceres Imaging, the irrigation performance management provider that uses aerial imagery and data analytics to help growers improve their irrigation practice, has released a study quantifying the extent and impact of drip irrigation issues in agriculture. Over the last several decades, a shift from spray and flood irrigation to more efficient drip irrigation systems has helped reduce water waste by specialty agriculture. However, environmental pressures and new regulations—such as California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)—mean that growers must now become even more efficient. This new report finds that there is significant opportunity for growers to increase farm profits and conserve water by quickly detecting and correcting common issues like plugs, leaks and pressure issues. ... ” C0ntinue reading this press release from Ceres Imaging at Cision here: Irrigation issue report uncovers opportunity for growers to conserve water and increase profits
A split Westlands Water District selects new President
“Westlands Water District has a new man helming its Board of Directors, but not without a contested vote. Tuesday, during Westlands’ regular meeting, Board President Daniel Errotabere announced he would be stepping down from his post, Water Wrights first reported. The abrupt announcement, shortly after the start of the meeting, touched off a brief, spirited battle to replace him. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: A split Westlands Water District selects new President
FOR MORE INFO: Westlands Water District Board of Directors Appoints Ryan Ferguson as President, press release from Westlands Water District
Why California’s first-in-world plan to monitor microplastics in drinking water matters
“Because plastics are highly resistant to biodegradation, instead fragmenting into ever smaller bits, eventually reaching micron and nanometer dimensions (there are 25.4 million nanometers in one inch)—they travel unseen in wind and waterways so that even the most remote regions of the globe, like the Arctic seabed and summit of Mount Everest, are contaminated with microplastics. Global plastics production exceeded 360 million metric tons in 2019 and shows no signs of leveling off, so it’s no surprise microplastics (smaller than 5mm) are increasingly showing up in disturbing places like house dust, beer, table salt, indoor air, drinking water, seafood, plankton, and human poop. Many constituents of plastics and the pollutants they pick up from the environment are known to be endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, or developmental toxins that pose the greatest threat to developing fetuses. … ” Read more from the Fullerton Observer here: Why California’s first-in-world plan to monitor microplastics in drinking water matters
Fifth annual H₂O Hackathon winners announced
“At the Fifth Annual H₂O Hackathon on April 17, there were 35 teams of competitors in middle school, high school, and college divisions that had six hours to build an application that could help protect waterways from harmful algal blooms. At the end of the day, one team from each division was named the winner and received the $5,000 Cal Water Golden Spigot Award. Winners included: Dream Team from STEAM Academy at River Islands, Wolfhack Tau from Merrill F. West High School, and Random Access Memories from San Joaquin Delta College. The middle school division was a new addition to the 2021 Hackathon, which was a virtual competition. ... ” Read more from the Escalon Times here: Fifth annual H₂O Hackathon winners announced
Overdue? The future of large earthquakes in California
“With hundreds of known faults running through the state, California is no stranger to earthquakes. In fact, one occurs about every three minutes, though the majority of these are too small to be felt. But even with all this seismic activity, the state’s three major fault lines have remained eerily quiet. Evidence shows that the San Andreas, San Jacinto and Hayward faults should produce a major earthquake roughly three or four times per century (Biasi and Scherer, 2019). Yet, the last one struck in 1918. This might not seem like a bad thing. After all, no one wants to experience a big earthquake. But seismologists know that with each passing year, these faults will continue to accumulate stress. Eventually, this stress will be released through a major earthquake — or maybe even several of them. It’s not a matter of if, but rather when this will happen. And given the state’s unusual shortage of large earthquakes, one could easily surmise that California’s well overdue. However, David Jackson, a geophysicist at the University of California, Los Angeles, is not quite convinced. “It may be just luck” that there has not been a major earthquake, he admits. … ” Read more from Temblor here: Overdue? The future of large earthquakes in California
In regional water news and commentary today …
Radio show: Klamath drought will hurt already endangered fish
“Oregon Gov. Kate Brown recently declared a drought emergency in Klamath County saying, “the Klamath Basin faces one of the most difficult water years in recent memory.” This means that there won’t be enough water to sustain farmers who depend on the watershed for irrigation and endangered fish that are particularly important to local tribes. Last month, we spoke to Mark Johnson, deputy director of the Klamath Water Users Association. Today, we hear from Amy Bowers Cordalis, attorney for the Yurok Tribe and principal at the Ridges to Riffles Conservation Fund.” Listen at OPB here: Radio show: Klamath drought will hurt already endangered fish
Lake Tahoe invasive species: the problem and the plans to solve it
“Lake Tahoe is known for its mesmerizing clear, blue water. But there are multiple threats to the lake that may someday change the color and worse, downgrade the quality of the water. Some of the most difficult of these threats to address are invasive species, specifically two types of aquatic plants that are not native and are moving from an area of the lake known as the Tahoe Keys into Lake Tahoe itself. The plants are Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed. … ” Read more from Sierra Nevada Ally here: Lake Tahoe invasive species: the problem and the plans to solve it
Placer County Water Agency acquires facilities in Auburn Ravine
“The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) has acquired five new miles of canal and associated facilities from South Sutter Water District (SSWD) after an agreement between the two agencies was approved by the PCWA Board of Directors. Located in the Auburn Ravine, the newly acquired Moore and Pleasant Grove canals have long served PCWA’s agricultural customers west of the City of Lincoln, who primarily grow rice and provide habitat for waterfowl and other species. ... ” Read more from Rocklin & Roseville Today here: Placer County Water Agency acquires facilities in Auburn Ravine
Stockton: Nautilus Data Technologies launches first floating data center
“Nautilus Data Technologies has commissioned its first water-borne data center. The 7MW Stockton1 data center at Port of Stockton, California sits on the deck of a barge on the San Joaquin River and has 10,000 sq ft of floor space. “The rapidly growing data center sector is just as rapidly on the way to becoming utterly unsustainable,” said James Connaughton, CEO of Nautilus. “Nautilus can reverse that. Our goal is to transform the data center sector into one that is higher performing, dramatically more sustainable, and more rapidly and equitably able to serve communities, government, and businesses globally. We want to make this technology as widely available as possible to help close the digital divide and enhance the lives of people around the world.” ... ” Read more from Data Center Dynamics here: Nautilus Data Technologies launches first floating data center
Napa County: Popular “Fish Friendly Farming” certification program will benefit local fish populations in low water year
“With the arrival of warmer weather, it appears California is in the midst of another drought year. While the potential impact on local farming and potential threat of fires are two obvious concerns, what about the impact on our local fish and the environment? “Thanks to the popularity and effectiveness of the Fish Friendly Farming certification among numerous Napa County winegrowers, local waterways and fish life are in better shape than many areas of California,” said Laurel Marcus, executive director of Fish Friendly Farming. … “ Read more from Wine Business here: Napa County: Popular “Fish Friendly Farming” certification program will benefit local fish populations in low water year
North Marin’s Gallagher well permit appealed
“Customers serviced by North Marin Water District may be facing another dry season with salty water. The coastal permit the district obtained last month to build a new well that would reduce its reliance on wells suffering from chronic saltwater intrusion has been appealed over a host of environmental concerns, causing delays. Inverness resident Gordon Bennett filed the appeal on behalf of his organization, Save Our Seashore. Mr. Bennett is concerned that the district has not adequately shown the effect of the proposed well on Lagunitas Creek streamflows and salmonid species. He also questioned the need for a new well as opposed to better district water conservation. “We request that the permits and authorizations for this second Gallagher well not be issued until a more comprehensive [California Environmental Quality Act] analysis is completed,” Mr. Bennett wrote in a March letter to a group of local and state regulatory agencies. ... ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: North Marin’s Gallagher well permit appealed
Drought restrictions ordered in Marin County as water supplies run low
“The Marin Municipal Water District on Tuesday became the first major water agency in the Bay Area to impose restrictions on customers following two extraordinarily dry water years. The rules, approved by the district’s board, prohibit residents in southern and central Marin County from washing their cars and power-washing their homes and driveways. They also prevent cities from watering public medians, construction crews from using potable water for dust control, and golf courses from watering anything but tee areas and greens. Offenders could face fines of up to $250. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Drought restrictions ordered in Marin County as water supplies run low
Most Bay Area counties not planning to restrict water use
“On Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency in Mendocino and Sonoma counties and announced a larger effort to deal with drought conditions statewide. This comes a day after Marin County became the first Bay Area county to impose mandatory water use restrictions. While Marin County has implemented mandatory water use restrictions, it’s important to note that Marin is different from most of the rest of the Bay Area in that they get most of their water from rainfall in the county and are not connected to the state’s larger water supply system. ... ” Read more from KRON here: Most Bay Area counties not planning to restrict water use
What can the Bay Area do about rising seas? East Palo Alto has a few great answers
” ... East Palo Alto, with a population of 30,000, is prone to flooding, and three times over the next 30 years, torrential rains devastated the city. “The last two floods over here, the question is, where was God?’ she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I believe in prayers. But I lived through so many disasters.” Now, the bay waters being pushed higher by the effects of climate change pose an existential threat to this small community of mostly people of color. That’s not hyperbole. East Palo Alto is located between San Francisco and San Jose at the western end of the Dumbarton Bridge. Of all Bay Area counties, San Mateo is the most at risk from sea level rise, and of all places in the county, East Palo Alto is one of the most vulnerable to climate-driven inundation. … ” Read more from KQED here: What can the Bay Area do about rising seas? East Palo Alto has a few great answers
SEE ALSO:
Monterey: State regulators reject water petition because of status of petitioner
“A former member of a Marina water advocacy group filed a motion with state regulators requesting a change in a water decision under the pretense of still being a member of the group, officials with the group say. In a letter emailed to the California Public Utilities Commission on Monday, Liesbeth Visscher, the chairwoman of Citizens for Just Water, and Lisa Berkley, one of the two founders of the advocacy group, informed the commission that a request to change a CPUC decision, called a Petition for Modification, filed by Margaret-Anne Coppernoll under the guise of being a current member of the group was never authorized by the organization. In fact, Coppernoll hasn’t been a member of the group since 2017, the letter states. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: State regulators reject water petition because of status of petitioner
Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project will release 6,000 endangered young coho salmon into wild
“Having lost their hatchery habitat during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, endangered young Southern Coho salmon, known as smolts, are being released to the wild by the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project (MBSTP), Davenport based 501(c)3. On Friday, April 23rd, 2021 at 9:30 AM. 12,000 native salmon smolts that were evacuated during the fire, of the 30,000 total rescued fish, and have managed to survive in emergency temporary tanks in neighboring counties since, according to a press release from MBSTP. “Now, 14 months old, these smolts will take part in the Coho salmon migration to the sea. Drought conditions threaten an early closing of access to the ocean; thus, an early release is required,” the group said. ... ” Read more from the Daily Kos here: Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project will release 6,000 endangered young coho salmon into wild
Commentary: Facing drought, Modesto Irrigation board should increase farm water prices
Caitlin Perkey, a masters of public administration student at CSU Stanislaus, writes, “After two dry winters, the April 1 snowpack measurement, which is typically the deepest and highest in water concentration, is far below average at 59% according to the Department of Water Resources. This low amount signals that California will need to crunch on water consumption because cities and farms will have a decreased allotment of water available during 2021. With the hardships of the 2012-2015 drought fresh in Central Valley residents’ minds, we should look at how to make our water use more efficient. ... ” Continue reading at the Modesto Bee here: Facing drought, Modesto Irrigation board should increase farm water prices
Conditions foil proposed OID, SSJID water release
“An unseasonably dry March and lack of sufficient water supplies have foiled a proposed water release by the Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts that would have boosted Stanislaus River flows beginning this past week for the benefit of out-migrating salmon, and also supplied water to farms and communities in the San Joaquin Valley most vulnerable to extreme drought conditions. The plan would have sent up to 100,000 acre-feet of water down the river between April 15 and May 15 in what are known as “pulse flows” to help young salmon navigate their way toward the Delta and, eventually, out to sea. The extra water, once it reached the Delta, would have been available for export to south-of-Delta farms and communities in dire need of supplies this year. … ” Read more from the Oakdale Leader here: Conditions foil proposed OID, SSJID water release
Santa Barbara County adopts water management amendment to state water project after months of deliberation
“After nearly three months of deliberation, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to adopt a water management amendment to the State Water Project that allows local water districts to buy and sell water supplies outside of the county. The amendment was adopted with a sense of urgency as the Central Coast Water Authority, which manages and operates the State Water Project infrastructure for the county and coordinates deliveries of the allocated water and supplemental purchased water, was concerned that it would not be able to acquire water for local water districts when supplies are low, according to Ray Stokes, executive director of CCWA. … ” Read more from Noozhawk here: Santa Barbara County adopts water management amendment to state water project after months of deliberation
Friends of the LA River plans huge summer cleanup; County seeks comment on master plan
“The Los Angeles River spans nearly 51 miles — running from Canoga Park to Long Beach. “It is a historic river, and is actually our city’s namesake,” Marissa Christiansen, president of the Friends of the Los Angeles River, said. Christiansen said the river changed in the 1930s after a series of catastrophic floods hit the region and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers channelized the entire length of the river — encasing it in concrete — and turning it into a flood control channel. “This used to be the place where the native peoples who originally populated this area would gather and use for sustenance,” she said. Christiansen and the Friends of the L.A. River hope to bring the river back to its roots. … ” Read more from CBS LA here: Friends of the LA River plans huge summer cleanup; County seeks comment on master plan
Will desalination come to Huntington Beach? A water board hearing happens tomorrow
“Questions have been raised over California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s political maneuvers to push a controversial seawater desalination plant proposed for the Huntington Beach coastline. Critics say their concerns about the actual need for the project and its potential environmental effects remain. … It all comes amid what’s considered to be a final juncture for the project’s approval, as its needed permits are currently being considered for approval by the Governor-appointed Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. That board’s next hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, April 23. If the board approves the permits, the project then goes for a final say from the state Coastal Commission. ... ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego here: Will desalination come to Huntington Beach? A water board hearing happens tomorrow
Along the Colorado River …
Nevada, California, and especially Arizona could be affected by a shortfall of water beginning this coming August
“This coming August, for the first time in its history, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is likely to issue a Level 1 Water Shortage Declaration which would trigger mandatory cuts in water consumption primarily in two states — Arizona and Nevada. This past week, the bureau released its 24-month projection for water contained in the 1,450-mile-long (2,333 km) Colorado River. The river originates on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado and is fed by the Green, Gunnison, and San Juan rivers. The Colorado River flows all the way to the Gulf of California in Mexico, and it supplies water to over 40 million people living in seven southwestern states, 29 tribal nations, and two Mexican states. … ” Read more from Interesting Engineering here: Nevada, California, and especially Arizona could be affected by a shortfall of water beginning this coming August
In national water news today …
White House, Congress accelerate push to fix widespread PFAS pollution
“The Biden administration and Congress are stepping up efforts to control the release and cleanup of poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in drinking water sources and elsewhere, joining states that have expanded scrutiny of the chemicals, which are used widely in manufacturing and are extremely persistent in the environment. President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2022 budget and $2-trillion infrastructure program would provide new funding to accelerate toxicity study and remediation, while a bipartisan House bill would deem the compounds hazardous substances. But manufacturers in at least one state are pushing back on planned regulation of “forever chemicals” in a lawsuit to limit the scope. ... ” Read more from Engineering News-Record here: White House, Congress accelerate push to fix widespread PFAS pollution
EPA administrator: We don’t plan to return ‘verbatim’ to Obama-era water regulation
“Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan said Wednesday that he doesn’t plan to return “verbatim” to the Obama administration’s rule on what types of waterways receive federal protections. The Obama-era Waters of the United States rule expanded the types of waterways that are regulated by federal law. The Trump administration rolled back protections for streams and other smaller bodies of water. “We don’t have any intention of going back to the original Obama Waters of the U.S. verbatim and we don’t necessarily agree with everything that was in the Trump administration’s version as well. We’ve learned lessons from both, we’ve seen complexities in both and we’ve determined that both rules did not necessarily listen to the will of the people,” Regan said during a House Appropriations Committee hearing. … ” Read more from The Hill here: EPA administrator: We don’t plan to return ‘verbatim’ to Obama-era water regulation
USGS after Trump: Unleashed?
“The Trump administration exposed several fault lines at the U.S. Geological Survey. Former USGS Director James Reilly, who took charge about one-third of the way into President Trump’s term, says he found an agency needing reorganization and rejuvenation, as well as a more diverse leadership and scientific staff. “One of our successes is that we significantly increased female participation in senior management; that’s a good thing,” Reilly said in an interview. “That’s changing what needs to change in terms of culture.” More broadly, Reilly said that over his 31-month tenure, the agency “focused on moving into what we call 21st-century science, [as] some of our mission areas were doing very well and others not so much.” Critics, inside and outside the agency, see it differently. The Trump years were rocky for the science agency, they say, starting even before Reilly joined in April 2018. … ” Read more from E&E News here: USGS after Trump: Unleashed?
The U.S. has a very big abandoned oil well problem
“On Thursday, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing to address an issue that’s been plaguing communities from West Virginia to New Mexico for decades: abandoned and orphaned gas and oil wells. While the terminology varies state to state, to keep things simple, an abandoned well is one that is no longer operational but is still owned by a functioning company; an orphaned well is one whose owner has since disappeared, often due to bankruptcy, transferring the responsibility for the well to the state government. American energy corporations have spent the past century drilling wells wherever they believe gas or oil to be located. It was, and still is, a numbers game for them—the more wells one drills, the higher the chances of striking it big. All of this, of course, is abetted by governmental under-regulation and subsidy. There’s been little industry-wide concern with what happens to these wells after they cease to produce. ... ” Read more from The New Republic here: The U.S. has a very big abandoned oil well problem
Why America’s infrastructure needs the drone industry
“America’s infrastructure is aging, and like anything that ages, it needs more upkeep. Almost everyone has been impacted in some way by failing or under inspected infrastructure. It can be something as minor as a power outage, spending hours on a two-hour train ride because the signaling system broke down or sinking hundreds of dollars into car repairs after hitting a pothole. Or an infrastructure failure can be as catastrophic as national disasters like the Oroville Dam Collapse, the Louisiana Levee Break during Hurricane Katrina, or the mass power outages of 2021 in Texas. And then there are underserved communities who don’t even have the infrastructure they need to thrive in a modern world. If you get the sense that the way we inspected, built, and tested our infrastructure fifty years ago, when most of it was new, may no longer be adequate—you are right. … ” Read more from the Commercial UAV News here: Why America’s infrastructure needs the drone industry
Today’s featured articles …
ESTUARY PEARLS: Diversity in Bay-Delta science, Art and science, Delta smelt – a scapefish, Connectivity on all levels in the Delta, and Consensus on salmon
Click here to read this article.
