A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
July 30, 2007
2. Supply
DESALINATION:
Customer list growing for possible desalination plant - San Diego Union Tribune
WATER RIGHTS:
Officials worry over S.F. possibly siphoning off water supply - Stockton Record
WATER CONSERVATION:
That green lawn worth some green; SR pays homeowners up to $250 to tear up grass in name of water conservation - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Editorial: Ag savings; It's time for grape growers to help conservation efforts - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
WATER RATIONING:
Editorial: Save water now to avoid restrictions -
Column: Lest we forget last drought - Pasadena Star News
DROUGHT WORKSHOPS:
DWR Announces 2007 Drought Workshop Dates and Locations - News Release, Department of Water Resources
DESALINATION:
Customer list growing for possible desalination plant
By Michael Burge, staff writer
The developer of an ocean-water desalination plant has signed up a fifth agency, the Rainbow Municipal Water District, to buy its product, meaning it has customers for 80 percent of the proposed plant's output.
Poseidon Resources has most of the permits it needs to build the plant on the grounds of the Encina Power Station in
Poseidon Senior Vice President Peter MacLaggan said he believes the fact that the plant has lined up five water agencies – and likely will have others by the time of the hearing – will help it get a coastal permit.
“It's a factor in that (the Coastal Commission staff has) been asking us to demonstrate there's a need for the product and the amount we propose,” MacLaggan said. “It confirms what we've been telling them, that there's a critical need for this.”
Poseidon would build its plant on the power station property at
An acre-foot, or 326,000 gallons, is enough to supply two four-member households a year.
The Rainbow board voted unanimously Tuesday to buy 7,500 acre-feet, roughly one-fourth of the district's demand, from Poseidon.
MacLaggan has been stressing desalinated ocean water's major virtue – that it is drought-proof – as he builds a case for the plant's approval.
The state is dealing with a meager Sierra snowpack from last winter, a drought on the
Last month, state officials shut down the delta pumps that send water south in an effort to protect an endangered fish called smelt. To deal with impending shortages, the San Diego County Water Authority has asked all local residents to cut consumption by 20 gallons a month.
In addition, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the Sweetwater Reservoir in
“Add all those things up and we're in a dire situation with respect to water this year,” MacLaggan said. “The desalinated water is essentially viewed as a drought-proof source considering the
Rainbow, a largely agricultural district along Interstate 15 that stretches from Bonsall to
Instead, the Rainbow district would enter into a transfer arrangement with another Poseidon customer. Rainbow would swap water it draws from the
Farmers will be the first to feel the squeeze of any future water curtailments.
George McManigle, a Rainbow board member and fruit grower, said agricultural uses are considered surplus by the Metropolitan Water District, the Los Angeles-based supplier for
“In the dry period with the d-word (drought), surplus water is the first to go,” McManigle said. “(Farmers) would be the first ones to cut back.
“The desalination plant will give us some acre-footage we wouldn't normally have. It's just an additional water source, much like groundwater.”
As with other districts that have signed up for desalinated water –
A number of local water officials and others have written the California Coastal Commission in support of Poseidon's project, hoping the commission will give it a green light to begin construction and start delivering water by 2011.
The list of supporters includes elected officials, state legislators, the local farm and biotech industry trade groups, unions, the
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070729-9999-1mc29desal.html
WATER RIGHTS:
Officials worry over S.F. possibly siphoning off water supply
By Alex Breitler, staff writer
An irrigation district that sells
Stockton-area water officials say they're hopeful the Oakdale Irrigation District's idea of sending water west won't cut this region's future supply. Critics condemn the thought of shipping even more Sierra water to the Bay Area.
Already most of the
"There is almost an unquenchable thirst for more water in urban areas if those areas are allowed to purchase cheap water, which they can take out of the natural systems," said John Buckley of the
One of those contracts is with Stockton East, which gets up to 30,000 acre-feet of water each year from Oakdale and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District. That's enough water to flood all of
The 10-year contract is important because it supplements the water
"It's a significant amount of water," said Stockton East's Kevin Kauffman. "We'll keep talking and hope we'll continue to get plenty of water."
Oakdale is appropriated 300,000 acre-feet of water but can only transfer 41,000 of that, Knell said.
"We need water transfers in order to pay our bills," he said. "It's an integral part of keeping water rates low for our users," farmers who irrigate about 55,000 acres.
To transfer water to
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission serves more than 2.3 million people in the city and in
But the city's plans include greater conservation as well, a spokesman said. And that is key for Buckley of the environmental resource center.
"The bottom line is that people need water, and yet most people even in a dry year are not applying all the conservation measures that could save them money," he said.
Mel Panizza, who heads the Stockton East board of directors, said the proposed transfer should serve as a reminder about the future value of water.
But ensuring a wet future will take more than conservation, he said.
"The state has almost done nothing with development of new water sources," such as reservoirs and improving groundwater, Panizza said. #
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070729/A_NEWS/707290324
WATER CONSERVATION:
That green lawn worth some green; SR pays homeowners up to $250 to tear up grass in name of water conservation
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 7/30/07
By Mike McCoy, staff writer
When Joel Alexander's monthly water bill hit $125 a year ago, the
Now, two weeks after removing more than 500 square feet of the expansive lawn that fronted his
He expects that savings will translate into a $15 to $20 monthly reduction in his water bill.
It also resulted in a one-time windfall from the city, which paid Alexander $250 for removing the grass.
Under a program called "Cash for Grass" that started July 1,
The program also offers a second financial perk: the city will pay home and business owners up to $350 and $3,500, respectively, to install pre-approved water conservation hardware, such as drip irrigation, moisture sensors and high-efficiency sprinklers.
Dan Muelrath, the city water conservation representative, said the new program is catching on rapidly.
Ten
"We are booked up six weeks in advance," said Muelrath, who noted the city must be sure "the grass is green and regularly mowed" before it pays out any money.
"Some call us and their lawn is brown or it's full of weeds and they tell us it used to be lawn," he said. "That doesn't count."
Muelrath said the goal of the three-year program is to reduce citywide irrigation water use by 200 million gallons a year. The city set aside $500,000 for the payments.
"This is the optimal year to roll this out," Muelrath said, citing the drought-like conditions that have prompted calls for a 15 percent reduction in water use throughout the county. "The awareness about water supply is tremendous."
It certainly caught Alexander's eye when he stopped by the city's booth at a recent Wednesday Night Market and signed up to have his yard inspected for the cash-for-grass incentive program.
Alexander, a real estate consultant, said he began thinking about water conservation when his monthly use hit 38,000 gallons in July 2006 and his bill exceeded $125.
His expansive front lawn, which wraps around his corner lot, was a large part of the problem, Alexander said. "It's large enough to kick a soccer ball across," he said.
To reduce his bill, Alexander said he began switching to more efficient landscape irrigation techniques and even replaced some lawn with a graveled parking area.
By last month his use dropped to 25,000 gallons and his bill to just over $95. Still, he was looking for more water and financial savings, hence the cash-for-grass opportunity.
"I'm by no means wealthy," he said.
Two weeks ago, after receiving the city's go-ahead, he ripped out more then 500 square feet of lawn squeezed into a 100-foot-long median strip that fronts his property, an area between the sidewalk and curb that is the property owner's responsibility.
He replaced the grass with some black-and-pepper rock and some drought-tolerant plants, the latter approved under the city's conservation program.
"Our goal is not to replace everything with rock and cactus or to pave everything over," Muelrath said.
Alexander is awaiting the arrival of his $250 city check and his next water bill to get an idea how much his effort will save his family of three.
But he knows one thing: the $50 he expects to save on his monthly water bills in the future from the various conservation efforts he's undertaken should quickly reimburse him for the $750 he spent to tear out his lawn and replace it with the rock and plants.
"It will take me 10 months to recoup what I spent but I didn't do it for the money," he said. "I did it to do my part. It's my green contribution."
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070730/NEWS/707300312/1033/NEWS01
Editorial: Ag savings; It's time for grape growers to help conservation efforts
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 7/29/07
Farmers should listen. Currently, the Sonoma County Water Agency releases water from
In fact, the agency predicts that under a best case scenario, it could save 10,000 acre-feet of water annually if all farmers switched to nighttime irrigation.
Not only that, but growers could save money. Less water is lost at night to evaporation, which means lower pumping costs.
On Wednesday, the agency announced that municipal water use has been reduced by 15 percent, as mandated by the state Water Resources Control Board. At a time when residents and businesses have made the sacrifices necessary to conserve, it's important that agriculture do its part, too. #
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070727/NEWS/707270357/1043/OPINION01
WATER RATIONING:
Editorial: Save water now to avoid restrictions
If you haven't started conserving water yet, what are you waiting for?
Some people may be stalling until an actual water emergency is declared locally, with the mandatory water-use restrictions that might entail. In our view, there is already enough evidence of problems ahead that there is no need to wait. Better to take some small steps now to help make our water last than to get hammered by harsh restrictions sometime next year, or the year after that.
The most recent indicator of the problem is the fact that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in
Of course, the real problem is that the dry conditions are not a local matter. The aridness reaches high into the Sierra Nevada mountain range as well as across the
The Sierra snowpack this spring was about a third of its normal size, resulting in a 40 percent cut in deliveries from the State Water Project. The
Altogether, it's a triple-whammy that has water officials nervous. The good news is that the 2005-2006 rain year was a wet one, so we came into the dry year that just ended with ample stored supplies. The bad news that it won't be enough if the year we're just starting is anywhere close to as arid as the last.
And then, scientists are talking about the "medieval megadrought" in the Southwest, which according to tree-ring records lasted from 900 to 1400 A.D. And there are some signs that the warming of the ocean surface near the equator is changing rainfall patterns, shifting the bulk of precipitation farther north and out of the
Now, we needn't go all gloom-and-doom. We could have a big rain year that includes plenty of snowfall in the Sierras. That eight-year
But if it doesn't, and the dry conditions continue, the current "suggestion" of a 10 percent use cutback by customers of
So back to our original point: If you haven't already, start conserving water now.
Where to start? Check the Metropolitan Water District's Web site, www.bewaterwise.com, which offers water-saving tips and rebates available for water-saving appliances and irrigation equipment, both household and industrial. Or check the California Urban Water Conservation Council's site, www.h2ouse.org, where the first of the "Top 5 Actions" to save water is simply to check and repair any leaks around your house. You'll find guides for landscaping with plants that aren't so thirsty, allowing you to conserve over the long haul.
Between the two sites, you'll find many ways to save thousands of gallons of water and wads of money. At the same time, you'll be helping
http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinions/ci_6489934
Column: Lest we forget last drought
By Steve Scauzillo, opinion pages editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers
STILL brushing your teeth with the faucet running? You wouldn't be such a water hog if you could recall the pain of the five-year drought that ended in 1991.
Most remember the "March Miracle" when rains came down in buckets and eased water restrictions. It's human nature to forget the bad times that came before: the lawn-watering police in Azusa; the "top 500" water gluttons in La Verne whose names were released to the public like some cities do johns at a busted brothel; the drought patrol in Pasadena; the brown lawns.
Ah, let's not forget those double and triple water surcharges for families that did not meet conservation mandates of
10 percent to 20 percent. Some paid through the nose.
Guess what? Like a bad nostalgia craze, those crazy drought days of the late '80s and early '90s may be back real soon. Coming to a water bill near you.
The "two-tiered system," the euphemism water folks used to describe double and triple charges for those not severely cutting back; the odd/even day lawn watering restrictions; water-wasting fines. Water administrators are at work bringing these back even while you read this column.
Over at Three Valleys Municipal Water District in the east
Three Valleys and other MWD member agencies will in turn cut back supplies delivered to retail water agencies, like those in Rowland Heights, Walnut and
So, how deep of a world of hurt you find yourself will depend on where you live. Those whose water comes from underground wells will feel it less. Yet, the
Bowcock and Hansen both say the region is better off now than in 1990-91. Since that drought, we've invested in more technology to clean up polluted wells and built more water reclamation systems. Also, Metropolitan built the Diamond Valley Lake Reservoir in Perris, which holds 260 billion gallons - enough to supply
But all the technology, well-head cleanup, and new reservoirs are still not enough to fend off water penalties and water rationing by early 2008 unless we see another March Miracle.
July and August thunderstorms sprinkling the desert sand don't add much.
No one I spoke to wanted to raise alarms. Yet, they all predicted water restrictions if there's no significant amount of rain soon.
"People are starting to talk about it ... it is getting people prepared that this (water restrictions) could happen. In six months, we could be having our drought allocation plan in place," said Hansen.
Already,
10 percent by taking shorter showers and watering the lawn less. Steve Patton,
Last month,
Bowcock often tours facilities in his district. At a senior citizen/retirement home, he said many residents were extremely concerned about getting adequate supplies.
"When all else fails, the lawns will die but there will be drinking water," he assured. Yet, he also predicted water penalties and water surcharges will be as real as summer electric bills if the sky doesn't produce. "If you were going to go over (your allotment), you would pay for it," he explained.
In May 1990,
"I'm a big believer there will be water coming. It will be a Christmas present," Bowcock predicted. Perhaps the state Department of Water Resources can invite the Chumash to dance.
Either way, if significant amounts of rain don't fall here and as snow up North and soon, we could be paying for this drought with higher water bills. Or you could be labeled a water glutton. #
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_6482556
DROUGHT WORKSHOPS:
DWR Announces 2007 Drought Workshop Dates and Locations
News Release, Department of Water Resources – 7/27/07
Contact: Ted Thomas, Public Information Officer, (916) 653-9712
The workshops, co-sponsored by the California Urban Water Conservation Council and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will be held in September and October throughout the state. At the workshops, guest speakers will share local experiences and instructors will assist local agencies in updating their Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plans and provide information about drought preparedness programs.
DWR’s draft revised Urban Drought Guidebook will also be presented at the workshops for comments and suggestions.
For information on how to register, visit Office of Water Use and Efficiency and Transfer’s Web site at: http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/events/events.cfm
Workshop Dates and Locations:
Tuesday, Sept. 11
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Center Theater
Thursday, Sept. 13
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sonoma County Water Agency
Tuesday, Sept. 18
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
El Dorado Irrigation District
Thursday, Sept. 20
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Contra Costa Water District
Thursday, Sept. 27
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Tuesday, Oct. 2
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
City of
City/County Library
Community Room
Thursday, Oct. 4
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Metropolitan Water District of Southern
Tuesday, Oct. 9
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
City of
Corp. Yard,
Thursday, Oct. 11
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct.16
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Coachella Valley Water District
85995 Avenue 52
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
Contact the DWR Public Affairs Office for more information about DWR's water activities.
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