A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
October 24, 2007
2. Supply
WATER CONSERVATION:
Water in limited supply; Azusa facing usage restrictions in upcoming months - Pasadena Star News
WATER BANKING:
Editorial: Water banking project advances in
WATER CONSERVATION:
Water in limited supply;
By Bethanian
Azusa Light and Water officials called the current drought unprecedented, declaring it a "water emergency situation."
"Our water levels are just dropping," said Paul Reid, key accounts manager for Azusa Light and Water.
Officials said Phase I conditions now in effect will be upgraded Nov. 1 to Phase II and then Phase III in December if dry weather conditions persist.
In Phase II, Azusa Light and Water customers will have to cut back on usage by 10 percent from the same time last year, officials said. Residents can only water lawns twice a week, while businesses and other institutions are limited to three times a week.
Phase III conditions mean water use must be cut by 20 percent. Residents may only water once a week while businesses are down to twice a week, officials said.
Reid said 50percent to 70percent of water used by residents is for watering lawns and landscaping.
"If they can cut back on that usage, they can probably meet the objective of saving 20percent," he said.
Light and Water representatives this month held a conference with their largest customers, urging them to cut back as much as possible. They included Miller Brewing Co.,
"Our biggest consumption is on our landscaping by far, so we're really going to be aggressive about cutting back on the number of gallons we put on the grass," said Bill Asher, associated director of facility management for APU.
He said water-saving devices throughout the campus and student housing have been installed.
Reid said the 22,000-customer water company that serves
Fines for residents can range from $50 to $200 and termination of water service for conservation violations during the drought, officials said. Commercial and public agencies can face $100 to $600 in fines.
"The whole objective is not to fine people, but to get them to conserve," Reid said. "If people know there's a crisis, most are willing to do their best to conserve."
For full descriptions of water shortage conservation measures, visit www.azusalw.com or call the Drought Hotline at (626) 812-5119. #
WATER BANKING:
Editorial: Water banking project advances in
The House of Representatives put a plan for water banking in
The bill passed by the House, written by Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, bypasses the usual process of study by the Bureau of Reclamation -- in fact, it specifically forbids the bureau to do any further study. Radanovich and other bill supporters argued that the 18 prior studies relating to the
We agree. This plan is solid and needs to move ahead quickly, given the urgency of the water crisis facing the Valley and
We hope the Senate will move just as swiftly to approve a companion bill offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
The House bill would authorize up to $22.5 million in federal funds for the
That area, known as Madera Ranch, would get water from the San Joaquin and Fresno rivers during wet years, ultimately storing up to 250,000 acre feet of water in the aquifer. The water would be pumped out as needed during dry years.
Underground storage is one element of three essential strategies for adding to Valley water supplies. The others are surface storage and dramatically increased conservation efforts.
Water banking has been a contentious issue in
That issue is at the heart of an unusual campaign for seats on the Madera Irrigation District board, with several candidates receiving unprecedented funding -- for such offices -- in an effort to fill the board with members who are committed to keeping the water at home.
The irrigation district says the water will be kept for local use. It shouldn't be too hard to adopt rules and regulations to guarantee that.
What's most important is that the water banking begin as soon as possible. Monday's action in the House was a crucial step in that direction. We hope the Senate follows suit. #
http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/172504.html
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