On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Drought Prediction and Water Availability National Listening Session Series – Introductory Webinar from 10am to 11am. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) are pleased to announce a series of listening sessions to seek input on priorities and needs related to predicting water availability changes under drought conditions at national and regional scales. This input will be used to guide USGS Drought Program planning and orientation. This webinar will introduce the upcoming end user listening sessions and provide a short overview of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Drought Program and efforts to characterize hydrological (e.g., streamflow and groundwater) drought variability, drivers, and trends over the past century. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
California conservationists and farmers unite to protect salmon
“In an experiment a decade in the making, biologists are releasing hatchery salmon onto flooded Northern California rice fields, seeking to replenish endangered fish species while simultaneously benefiting the farmers’ business model. At a time when environmentalists are often pitted against agribusiness in California’s water wars, conservation scientists and rice farmers are working together, trying to reclaim the great flood plains of the Sacramento River for salmon habitat. Their task is daunting. California’s wetlands have all but disappeared, converted into farms and cities in one of the great engineering feats, or environmental crimes, of the 20th century. … ” Read more from Reuters News here: California conservationists and farmers unite to protect salmon
A first-in-the-nation project to put solar panels over canals begins near Turlock
“A small portion of Turlock Irrigation District’s canals will be part of a first-of-its-kind project that puts solar panels over canals. “On its surface, it’s putting solar panels over canals, right? Not necessarily groundbreaking, however, this is the first type of project in California… this is really a groundbreaking project and the first in the nation,” said Josh Weimer, External Affairs director for TID. The project is formally known as Project Nexus. It follows research out of UC Merced that studied how putting solar panels over canals could net some positive impacts for the state. During the project, TID will have their eyes on water evaporation, improvements to water quality, canal maintenance and renewable energy generation. … ” Read more from Channel 10 here: A first-in-the-nation project to put solar panels over canals begins near Turlock
SEE ALSO:
- Innovative Solar Project Awarded State Funds: DWR Funds Turlock Irrigation District to Install Solar Panels Over Canals, press release from DWR
- Turlock Irrigation District selected to pilot first–in–the–nation water–energy nexus project involving solar panels over canals, press release from Turlock Irrigation District
- Solar-paneled Canals Getting a Test Run in San Joaquin Valley, from UC Merced
Holland & Knight represents disadvantaged communities in lawsuit over access to water
“Holland & Knight is representing a group of prominent civil rights leaders in asking a federal judge to allow them to join a lawsuit involving access to water for disadvantaged communities in California. Holland & Knight filed the motion to intervene in the case on behalf of Groundswell, a coalition of civil rights, affordable housing and environmental justice advocates. … Groundswell is seeking to intervene in a pending federal lawsuit filed by three environmental groups against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (Center for Biological Diversity et. al v. United States Bureau of Land Management et. al, Case No.: 2:21-cv-02507-GW-AS). The lawsuit seeks to stop development of a water infrastructure project that would convert a dormant natural gas pipeline to transport water and allow that water to be delivered to communities in Central and Southern California. … ” Continue reading from Holland & Knight here: Holland & Knight represents disadvantaged communities in lawsuit over access to water
Merced County almond farmer settles with EPA over Clean Water Act violations
“An almond farmer in Merced County has been ordered to pay $212,000 in fines and to restore and preserve wetland habitat for violating the Clean Water Act, Environmental Protection Agency officials said. Officials with the agency’s Pacific Southwest Office in San Francisco announced the settlement with farmer Edmund Lynn Brown on Tuesday. According to court documents, Brown operates the 850 acre Bird Ranch north of Merced. … ” Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Merced County almond farmer settles with EPA over Clean Water Act violations
SEE ALSO: EPA Fines Owner of San Joaquin Valley Almond Orchard for Clean Water Act Violations, Orders Restoration of Wetlands, press release from the EPA
Water users legally obligated to rein in certain outdoor water uses
“Despite the exceptionally heavy rain events in October and December 2021, California is still experiencing severe drought conditions. In response to these statewide dry conditions, and Governor Newsom’s October 2021 emergency proclamation calling for residents to “re-double” their water use reduction efforts, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) adopted new, emergency regulations deeming certain water uses wasteful and unreasonable (Water Use Regulation). The Water Use Regulation applies to end water users’, such as residents, outdoor uses of water and homeowners’ associations and local government enforcement of landscaping provisions during declared states of emergency during the period January 18, 2022 – January 18, 2023. … ” Read more from Somach Simmons & Dunn here: Water users legally obligated to rein in certain outdoor water uses
California’s drought-relief dreams are quickly drying up
“As recently as Christmas, it looked like California’s devastating drought could—if not fully disappear—at least be on track for serious improvement by spring. That’s no longer the case. California’s snowpack was promisingly high at the start of the year after Pacific storms in October and December delivered a round of heavy rains and deep snows. But it has since dropped below where officials hoped it would be for this time of year after those early-season cloudbursts turned out to be isolated events. … ” Read more from Bloomberg here: California’s drought-relief dreams are quickly drying up
Snowpack from December shrinks after dry January
“Facing a third straight year of dry conditions, many Californians are looking for any sign of hope that winter weather will yield more water for the state. For certain, state water officials have been hoping for a reliable Groundhog Day to celebrate, such as when the famed Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow last week in Pennsylvania—in a purely symbolic indicator of six more weeks of winter. But in California, those looking for a more precise indicator for the season had to rely on the state’s second snow survey, conducted Feb. 1 by the California Department of Water Resources. And the results weren’t promising. … ” Read more from Ag Alert here: Snowpack from December shrinks after dry January
House subcommittee holds initial hearings for 2022 WRDA; Secretary Crowfoot testifies
“The House Transportation and Infrastructure, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee held a stakeholder hearing today in preparation for the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This hearing comes after a similar hearing on Biden Administration priorities for the legislation held on Jan. 12. “This committee is successful because all of our members trust and recognize how critical the (Army Corps of Engineers’) work is to meet the unique water resource needs in our communities, and how important regular, predicable authorization of WRDA is to meet these needs,” Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairwoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA) remarked. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: House subcommittee holds initial hearings for 2022 WRDA; Secretary Crowfoot testifies
ASCE publication explores land subsidence
“A new report from the American Society of Civil Engineers, Investigation of Land Subsidence due to Fluid Withdrawal, provides an overview of the occurrence, mechanics, measurement, analysis and simulation, and control of land subsidence due to fluid withdrawal with emphasis on groundwater withdrawal. Land subsidence has been well recognized as one of the major geological hazards by hydrogeologists and engineers. Land subsidence can occur on local and regional scales worldwide and is often discovered only after damage to buildings and important infrastructure occurs. … ” Continue reading at Stormwater here: ASCE publication explores land subsidence
In commentary today …
It’s time to use our budget surplus on water projects
State Senator Shannon Grove writes, “Few people in this state would disagree that improving the management of California’s water supply should be a priority. Clean water is vital for our health, the environment and the economy. When people disagree on water issues, it is usually on how to improve water quality. I would argue that better management includes increasing above- and below-ground storage and modernizing conveyance infrastructure. We must get beyond the extremes of some eco-warriors that a robust system of reservoirs and canals is a no-go. Such long-needed infrastructure is as much a part of the solution as is conservation, technological innovation, and better management of the flows from winter rains and spring snowmelt. … ” Read more from Ag Alert here: It’s time to use our budget surplus on water projects
Should the Central Valley remain dependent solely on agriculture?
Cary D. Lowe, a retired land use lawyer and planning consultant, writes, “Re “Comparative stats of ag and water use strikes a nerve”; Commentary, Reader Reaction, Feb. 3, 2022. The writer’s defense of agricultural water use only makes sense if you believe the economy and the environment will never change. Arguing that the Central Valley must remain dependent solely on agriculture, with its accompanying current level of water use, is equivalent to arguing that Appalachian coal miners can’t transition to other forms of employment and shouldn’t need to. ... ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Should the Central Valley remain dependent solely on agriculture?
Answering agriculture’s critics
American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall writes, “I’m a big believer in taking the high road. When media present inaccurate or incomplete portrayals of U.S. agriculture, my job and the job of Farm Bureau is to help them understand where they went wrong and to set the record straight. We had our work cut out for us with a recent New York Times opinion video. It was so disappointing to see a respected media outlet present a distorted picture of agriculture without so much as acknowledging that farmers play an essential role in stocking America’s pantries. AFBF jumped into action. We drafted a response and had a productive conversation with decisionmakers there, but unfortunately, they declined to accept my guest essay, which provides a more complete and honest picture of agriculture. What a disservice to their readers and to the disappearing tradition of honest debate. So, I’ll use my own platform to share my response. … ” Continue reading at the American Farm Bureau here: Answering agriculture’s critics
Today’s featured article …
DELTA WATERMASTER: Curtailment/Reporting Orders in the Delta; Delta Alternative Compliance Plan; Pilot Program for Water Conservation and Quality Protection in the Delta; and more …
At the January meeting of the Delta Stewardship Council, Delta Watermaster Michael George updated the Council on curtailment and reporting orders in the Delta, the implementation of the Delta Alternative Compliance Plan for measuring diversions in the Delta; a pilot program for water conservation and quality protection in the Delta; building capacity within the Delta; and a status update on water quality control planning for the Delta watershed.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Standing at the cusp: The Klamath River edges closer to dam removals
“Few rivers have faced such a protracted battle about their future as the Klamath, which flows through Oregon and Northern California. After decades of negotiations, the decommissioning of four dams on the river is finally in sight, but hurdles remain. We spoke with Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, to learn how he’s working to get the dam removal across the finish line—and what the transformation will mean for the many communities that depend on the river. … ” Read more from the PPIC here: Standing at the cusp: The Klamath River edges closer to dam removals
Winter Wings renews focus on Klamath refuges and wildlife
“Once attracting millions of birds at a time during the mid-20th Century, the Klamath Basin’s “Everglades of the West” have made it a Mecca for birders. But after two years of intense drought, most of the watershed’s iconic wetlands are high and dry. Now the Winter Wings Festival, which typically celebrates the Klamath’s avian bounty each February, is making a bit of a pivot. Previous years’ Winter Wings Festivals, presented by the Klamath Basin Audubon Society, have always included birding field trips to Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges, which are all that’s left of hundreds of thousands of acres worth of wetlands that once filled the Upper Klamath Basin. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Winter Wings renews focus on Klamath refuges and wildlife
Humboldt Bay restoration project enhances critical habitat diversity
“After a tide breached a dike in the Humboldt Bay in 2014, threatening to destroy the bay’s marshes, the White Slough Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project began to fix the area’s salt marsh habitat. The project — which took place around 41 acres on the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge — was a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and many other statewide agencies, and was completed in the fall of 2021. The site will be monitored until 2023 to ensure the results are carbon neutral. … ” Continue reading at the Eureka Times-Herald here: Humboldt Bay restoration project enhances critical habitat diversity
State completes debris removal for Lake, Mendocino County fire areas
“The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said the cleanup of properties impacted by the August Cache fire in Clearlake has been completed. Cal OES reported that state contractors have cleared the remains — burned metal, concrete, ash and contaminated soil — from all 78 homes and property in Lake County whose owners enrolled in the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program. At the same time, they also completed the cleanup work on all 19 properties in Mendocino County impacted by last year’s Hopkins fires. … ” Read more from the Lake County News here: State completes debris removal for Lake, Mendocino County fire areas
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Nevada Irrigation District February snow survey: snowpack is above average
“Despite a dry January, snowpack remains above average on Nevada Irrigation District (NID) snow courses that provide water to raw- and treated water customers. During the February survey, NID hydrographers found the average water content in the snowpack was 24.7 inches, which is 123.5 percent of the 20-inch average for this time of year, at the District’s five high- elevation snow courses. Cumulative precipitation at Bowman Reservoir was 43.46 inches, which is 114 percent of average, as of Feb. 2. … ” Read more from YubaNet here: Nevada Irrigation District February snow survey: snowpack is above average
Dry January brings little change in February snowpack readings
“The month of January may have been dry with no storms in sight, but the record breaking snowfall in December 2021 and the rain that primed the soil in October has created great conditions for the snowpack this year. … The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services hosted their own snowpack reading for the month of February at the Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) site at Mt. Rose with Hydrologist Jeff Anderson. Anderson noted that since the month of January had been so dry, it was basically the same snow on the ground from the previous reading. … ” Read the full story at the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Dry January brings little change in February snowpack readings
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Paradise Town Council updates the public on a new sewage project
“The Paradise Town Council updated the public Tuesday on a new project that will connect a sewage system servicing Clark Rd., Pearson Rd. and Skyway to South Chico. The project is still in its beginning stages. “We’re a long way from being done with the project, but these are the first steps of it. Our EIR are probably several months away yet. We have to come up with the terms of the agreement and we’re getting really close on that,” Town of Paradise Mayor Steve Crowder said. … ” Read more from Action News Now here: Paradise Town Council updates the public on a new sewage project
Glenn County prepares to head into another drought year
“Warm days ahead and no rain in sight: a cause for concern for some, especially those who have already gone months without well water. Glenn County residents were some of the first in the Northstate to feel the effects of the drought. Through the county’s website, around 300 residents reported dry wells or water insecurity. … ” Read more from KRCR here: Glenn County prepares to head into another drought year
Fairfield: City celebrates completion of East-West Pipeline with documentary
“The East-West Pipeline, also known as the Cross-Town Pipeline, began 30 years ago and has finally been completed, providing all Fairfield residents with access to clean water. The project was initially conceptualized as a vehicle for treated water to flow from the North Bay Regional Water Treatment Plant in the east, to the southwest side of the city with ease, especially in case of an emergency. The city is commemorating the project’s completion with a historical documentary that includes staff interviews, both past and present, who worked on this massive project. The documentary also includes historical footage and photos. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: City celebrates completion of East-West Pipeline with documentary
BAY AREA
West Marin tackles saltwater contamination in water supply
“A project to tackle saltwater contamination in the West Marin, California, water supply is set to begin. According to The Marin Independent Journal, the North Marin Water District has approved a $192,000 construction contract to build a new well, free from saltwater contamination. This contamination has impacted two-thirds of its wells. October 2021, the North Marin Water District district set up an emergency water station, a 3,500-gallon water tank in Point Reyes Station, for residents who have salt-restrictive diets, reported The Marin Independent Journal. … ” Read more from Water Quality Products here: West Marin tackles saltwater contamination in water supply
South Bay’s levee greening project could be model for fight against climate change
“Flying along Ravenswood Pond with Droneview7, it might be hard to spot the design evolution taking place on the ground. But the shoreline, near Highway 101 in Menlo Park, is being turned into an example of what 21st century levees could look like around the Bay Area and the country. “What we’re looking at here is a native plant called common yarrow,” says Jesse Olson, habitat restoration director at Save the Bay. The environmental group is using native plants to green nearly 10 acres of what’s known as a horizontal levee. It’s a gently sloping stretch of land connecting Bedwell Bayfront Park to surrounding salt ponds. … ” Read more from ABC 7 here: South Bay’s levee greening project could be model for fight against climate change
‘One of the worst Januarys ever’ – Santa Clara Valley water officials sound alarm after dry start to 2022
“An unusually dry start to the New Year has Santa Clara Valley Water District officials increasingly concerned about the upcoming summer if there’s not more significant rainfall. “We had one of the worst Januarys ever. And in February, no rain either,” Water District Director Gary Kremen told KPIX 5. Kremen s”aid the South Bay did not receive sufficient rainfall to erase the deficit created by years of drought. Without more rain, the water district may consider more restrictions and tougher penalties for customers who don’t conserve. … ” Read more from CBS Sacramento here: ‘One of the worst Januarys ever’ – Santa Clara Valley water officials sound alarm after dry start to 2022
Ongoing dry spell raises concerns about fire season
“Climate watchers say water woes are growing again in the Bay Area as a lengthy dry spell continues. Officials at Santa Clara Valley Water District say, despite a solid amount of rain in December, the Bay Area is once again looking at drought conditions and a dangerous fire season unless more rain falls soon. “We’ve had backsliding in the sense of a horrible January, one of the worst Januarys on record,” Santa Clara Valley Water District Chair Gary Kremen said. “February, to date, no rain.” … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Ongoing dry spell raises concerns about fire season
Commentary: Our water supply, the elixir of life
” … Over the last decade, the average allocations of our county’s imported, surface water deliveries have been trending downward. On average, SBCWD has received about 30% of their contracted amount from the federal government (CVP) on surface water deliveries. To help offset this deficit, SBCWD worked with the City of Hollister to construct a water recycling facility at the city’s Reclamation Plant. This project is highly efficient because the water that is imported is first used as drinking water for the urban areas. When the imported water leaves residents’ homes as wastewater, it makes its way to the reclamation plant where it is treated and used for agricultural and landscape accounts. ... ” Read more from San Benito Free Lance here: Our water supply, the elixir of life
CENTRAL COAST
Loch Lomond Reservoir at 85% capacity after a dry start to 2022
“The end of 2021 brought hope for drought-stricken Californians — but with a dry start to the new year, and no rain in the forecast, benefits from last year’s rain seem to be diminishing. It’s been almost two months since December’s atmospheric river hit the Central Coast, bringing hope that water restrictions could be eased. Santa Cruz has received more than 18 inches of rain so far this water year. “We’re ahead of normal still for this water year in terms of precip.,” said Rosemary Menard, Water Director for the City of Santa Cruz. … ” Read more from KION here: Loch Lomond Reservoir at 85% capacity after a dry start to 2022
Santa Barbara commentary: The forever drought
Carolee Krieger, executive director of the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN), writes, regarding January’s dry conditions, ” … things don’t look promising. Michael Anderson, California’s state climatologist, predicts January, February, and March will be drier than average. Further, many of our reservoirs remain critically low for this time of year. Lake Shasta, the primary supplier for the massive federal Central Valley Project, held only 55 percent of average capacity on January 25. We see this grim reality playing out in Santa Barbara County. Lake Cachuma was once a primary water source for the county, but it has veered from merely low to critically low for years. Thanks to the large storm in October, it now stands at 48 percent of capacity. But the water level has fallen in the past month, and further dwindling is assured at least through the current year. Will Lake Cachuma ever serve as a reliable water source again? Unlikely. … ” Read the full commentary at the Santa Barbara Independent here: Santa Barbara commentary: The forever drought
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Onyx River Project set to be implemented in Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water District
“With the Onyx River Project soon being implemented in the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water District (RRBWSD), general manager and engineer Dan Bartell said this will change the points of diversion and place of use for the 1914 water rights so that water can be delivered in the area on the San Joaquin Valley floor and used for irrigation and groundwater storage. The project, purchasing 3,300 acres of property east of Lake Isabella, will bring together private property sellers in Kern River Valley and landowners in RRBWSD to ensure a continued beneficial use of water in the county. It will also mitigate water lost as a result of environmental restriction in the Delta, the RRBWSD website states. … ” Read more from the Kern Valley Sun here: Onyx River Project set to be implemented in Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water District
A look into California’s first town built by African Americans
“As we continue to commemorate Black History Month, we’re highlighting a historic town that many may not know about right here in our own backyard. Just 45 minutes north of Bakersfield, lies the historic town of Allensworth. It is known as California’s first Black settlement, built by Colonel Allensworth himself. It had a school, a church, a bank, and so much more. “Allensworth and some of his friends were looking around trying to find a place where they could build Allensworth, and they came upon this property. It had three artesian wells on the ground so that was a plus.” … ” Read more from Channel 23 here: A look into California’s first town built by African Americans
EASTERN SIERRA
Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority takes legal action to collect high fees
“In an effort to collect an unprecedentedly high groundwater replenishment fee, the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) has sued Mojave Pistachios, LLC, an action that effectively will put the nut grower out of business. “To use the SGMA process to target farmers with economically impossible fees threatens the larger implementation of SGMA itself. This reckless and punitive assault on farmers under the guise of SGMA’s mandates will dangerously erode confidence in the state’s implementation of SGMA among farmers in other basins. That poses a real threat of increased conflict rather than the collaborative management approach that was explicitly woven into SGMA,” said Dave Puglia, Western Growers President and CEO. … ” Continue reading this press release from Mojave Pistachios here: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority takes legal action to collect high fees
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Metropolitan board acts to increase reliability of Southern California’s water supply
“With extreme drought highlighting the vulnerability of some Southern California communities, Metropolitan Water District is pursuing additional actions to help ensure all its service area has the water it needs to withstand this year’s severe dry conditions and the impacts of climate change. Metropolitan’s Board of Directors today voted to approve infrastructure investments, water transfer options and alternate delivery programs to improve resiliency and preserve limited State Water Project supplies for member agencies in the western portions of its service area that depend most on this drought-stricken water source, including parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. ... ” Continue reading this press release from Metropolitan Water District at Yahoo News here: Metropolitan board acts to increase reliability of Southern California’s water supply
Los Angeles: Who is making decisions about your tap water?
The Water Foundation writes, “As part of an ongoing series on broadening who makes water decisions and how, we’re exploring the role of water boards. 2022 ushers in another round of important elections: midterm elections at the federal level, and much farther down ballot, local elections. Races to decide who serves on water boards — often opaquely named ‘community services districts’ or ‘public utility districts’ — get little notice. Yet local water leaders can have a huge impact on our daily lives. … Despite the direct impact on communities, it is very challenging to figure out who makes decisions about your water. Last year, we asked UCLA’s Luskin Center to look into water governance in Los Angeles County … ” Read more from the Water Foundation here: Los Angeles: Who is making decisions about your tap water?
Commentary: Huntington Beach desalination facility needed for environment, tax base
Barbara Delgleize, the mayor of Huntington Beach, writes, “Every day I walk near the ocean I am reminded how fragile is our precious Huntington Beach. As the mayor of Surf City, I am most dedicated to keeping its ecology pristine. It’s essential for the planet. And it’s for the enjoyment of our residents – and the millions of visitors who come here each year to relax and enjoy the surf and sand, while patronizing our restaurants and shops. That’s why I support Huntington Beach’s new desalination facility for our city. It will be located next to the AES power plant off Newland Street and PCH. One of the best features of the new facility is it will sport a zero-carbon footprint. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: Huntington Beach desalination facility needed for environment, tax base
Santa Monica: Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project nears completion
“A massive new infrastructure project is set to come online in Santa Monica this fall — whether you notice it or not. City of Santa Monica Public Works Department staff hope you won’t. “That’s actually our motto: Out of sight, out of mind,” Water Resources Manager Sunny Wang said during a recent tour of the project site. “If somebody notices, that means we’ve got a problem.” … 45 feet below the surface — underneath a three-foot-thick slab of concrete — the $95 million Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project, nicknamed SWIP, will be converting millions of gallons of stormwater and sewage into purified water to be used for irrigation, pumped into dual-piped buildings and injected into the groundwater basin to prepare it for purification into potable water. … ” Read more from the Santa Monica Daily Press here: Santa Monica: Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project nears completion
One of Orange County’s first PFAS treatment facilities begins operation in Villa Park
“The Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) and the Serrano Water District (Serrano) began operating one of the County’s first treatment plants to remove per–and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from local well water. PFAS are a group of thousands of manmade, heat–resistant chemicals that are prevalent in the environment and are commonly used in consumer products to repel water, grease and oil. Due to their prolonged use, PFAS are being detected in water sources throughout the United States, including the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which supplies 77% of the water supply to 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County. Despite playing no role . ... ” Continue reading from the Orange County Water District here: One of Orange County’s first PFAS treatment facilities begins operation in Villa Park
Along the Colorado River …
A contest to change Glen Canyon Dam, ‘re-wild’ Colorado River
“A contest to “Re-Wild the Colorado River” is seeking engineering alternatives from the public for the future of Glen Canyon Dam. Conservation groups have maintained for years that Glen Canyon Dam is no longer useful and should be re-engineered to allow the Colorado River to flow freely again along the Arizona-Utah border. Daniel Beard, a former commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said the massive structure has outlived its usefulness. “Because of climate change, the nature and distribution of precipitation in the Colorado River Basin has changed,” he said. “Water is distributed from Lake Mead for a purpose – for drinking water supply, meeting international commitments and so forth. But Glen Canyon doesn’t have a purpose like that.” … ” Read more from the Public News Service here: A contest to change Glen Canyon Dam, ‘re-wild’ Colorado River
In national water news today …
The Supreme Court is set to weigh in on the Clean Water Act’s reach
“When Chantell and Michael Sackett took the feds to court in 2008 for preventing them from backfilling their soggy half-acre lot along the shores of Idaho’s Priest Lake, they had no idea that they were planting the seeds of a case that finally could settle a 50-year debate over the definition of “navigable” and “waters of the United States,” and thereby determine the reach of the landmark Clean Water Act, with especially weighty implications in the arid Western U.S. ... ” Continue reading at High Country News here: The Supreme Court is set to weigh in on the Clean Water Act’s reach
The urine revolution: how recycling pee could help to save the world
“On Gotland, the largest island in Sweden, fresh water is scarce. At the same time, residents are battling dangerous amounts of pollution from agriculture and sewer systems that causes harmful algal blooms in the surrounding Baltic Sea. These can kill fish and make people ill. To help solve this set of environmental challenges, the island is pinning its hopes on a single, unlikely substance that connects them: human urine. Starting in 2021, a team of researchers began collaborating with a local company that rents out portable toilets. The goal is to collect more than 70,000 litres of urine over 3 years from waterless urinals and specialized toilets at several locations during the booming summer tourist season. ... ” Read more from Nature here: The urine revolution: how recycling pee could help to save the world
‘Big problem’: Spending snarl delays infrastructure money
“Congress faces increasing pressure to strike a deal on a fiscal 2022 omnibus spending package for federal agencies that would free up billions of dollars for new infrastructure projects that are currently on hold. “One connection between infrastructure and the omnibus is that some of the money in the infrastructure bill cannot be freed up until we pass the omnibus bill,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters last week. She added that she was “hoping to reach a deal on topline spending very soon.” … ” Read more from E&E News here: ‘Big problem’: Spending snarl delays infrastructure money
Water supplies from glaciers may peak sooner than anticipated
“The world’s glaciers may contain less water than previously believed, a new study has found, suggesting that freshwater supplies could peak sooner than anticipated for millions of people worldwide who depend on glacial melt for drinking water, crop irrigation and everyday use. The latest findings are based on satellite images taken during 2017 and 2018. They are a snapshot in time; scientists will need to do more work to connect them with long-term trends. But they imply that further global warming could cause today’s ice to vanish in many places on a shorter timeline than previously thought. … ” Read more from the New York Times here: Water supplies from glaciers may peak sooner than anticipated
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Drought Resilience~ Recharge Symposium~ Advisory Panel~ CWC Meeting~ Strategic Framework~ Stakeholder
