A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
February 27, 2008
2. Supply
CLIMATE ISSUES:
Water agencies join forces to fight climate change; Newly formed alliance plans to expand research, identify emissions from individual operations - Associated Press
Water conservation key to combat water shortages - Pasadena Star News
Palm Springs HOAs discuss water conservation; Agencies willing to help homeowners with informational sessions - Desert Sun
CLIMATE ISSUES:
Water agencies join forces to fight climate change; Newly formed alliance plans to expand research, identify emissions from individual operations
Associated Press – 2/27/08
LOS ANGELES -- Eight of the nation's largest water providers from
The newly formed Water Utility Climate Alliance includes the giant Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the San Diego County Water Authority and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
Members, which together provide water to more than 36 million people, also include Denver Water, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the
"Our systems are facing risk due to diminishing snowpack, bigger storms, more frequent drought and rising sea levels," said Susan Leal, general manager of the
"We need to be organized to respond to these risks -- that's why we've formed this alliance."
The group has been in the works since 2007, after
"The whole goal was to wrap our arms around the potential impacts of climate change on water infrastructure and water supplies," said Bronson Mack, a spokesman for the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
In a series of conference calls, Mack said the newly formed group has developed a list of goals that include expanding climate change research, collaborating on adaptation tools and identifying greenhouse gas emissions from individual operations. #
Water conservation key to combat water shortages
By Richard Irwin, staff writer
Water, water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
Though it may be raining cats and dogs outside, that doesn't mean we won't be having water woes this summer.
Recent court rulings that are cutting water flow by 30 percent from
According to Walnut Valley Water District Assistant General Manager Erik Hitchman, early planning has reduced the risk of a shortage for the district.
The district serves all of Diamond Bar, portions of Walnut, Industry,
"We are obviously always concerned about what might happen," Hitchman said. "The issues in the delta are of large concern because that's where a significant amount of our supply comes from."
So where can we reduce the risk of shortage?
The family toilets may be a good place to start.
"Our most significant program is the high efficiency toilet program," Hitchman said. "Conservation is always out in the forefront of our messages."
Did you know a quarter of your indoor water usage is flushed down the drain?
With older toilets using five to seven gallons per flush, that adds up to 32,000 gallons a year.
But there are solutions.
High efficiency toilets (HET) use only 1.3 gallons per flush, which can save up to 35 gallons in one household.
The district provides residential customers with the new toilets in exchange for their old ones, which will be recycled.
According to Hitchman, the program will offer 400 toilets to residents.
As a whole, this program will save more than 6.5 million gallons of water per year, according to water officials. Customers may also see a big drop in their water bill.
"Many customers don't realize the biggest water user in their homes are their lawns," explained Ken Deck, Rowland Water District's general manager, who said more than half the 130,000 gallons of water used by the average household every year is used on landscaping.
Each square foot of lawn takes 18 gallons of water every year. Bedding plants, shrubs and trees use 7.5 gallons annually.
"Everyone wants big, beautiful lawns like they had back East, but it takes a lot of water," Deck said.
Of course a lot of conservation just takes some common sense. For example, it takes 150 gallons of water when you hose down your driveway or wash a car.
And while an automatic dishwasher uses between 8 to 15 gallons per load, washing dishes by hand uses up to 20 gallons, according to Perea.
Little wonder that the average home in
But little steps can mean big savings. For example, only run your dishwasher with full loads, don't rinse dishes before loading them and check the washer screen regularly.
To prevent evaporation, water your lawn before 9 a.m. and cover bare areas around trees and plants with organic mulch 2 inches deep. Avoid sprinkler heads that create fine mists and sprays, and consider using drip systems. Even better, put in drought-resistant plants.
A back yard pool can lose lots of water to evaporation, especially in the summer. A pool cover will reduce that loss by 95 percent.
The choice is simple. Residents should save water through easy conservation steps. #
Desert Sun – 2/27/08
By Stefanie Frith, staff writer
It's taken 10 years for homeowners at Seven Lakes Country Club to consider flowers over more desert-friendly landscaping.
And out of 341 homes, only 20 percent have converted.
"It's hard," said Rudy Lederer, a Seven Lakes HOA board member. "People follow by example."
On Tuesday, about 60 Palm Springs HOA presidents and representatives gathered at Seven Lakes Country Club for a meeting of the Palm Springs HOA Presidents Council, which encompasses 88 HOAs.
Desert landscaping, water conservation and renewable energy was on the minds of many who attended.
Also on Tuesday, the Coachella Valley Water District launched a program to help HOAs and other large landscape customers. The program offers a rebate for the installation of smart controllers, which help users reduce landscape irrigation water.
Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet spoke during the meeting about how the city plans to use solar panels on its new animal shelter. He also said he will host the first Mayor's
"The city has a plan to make it energy efficient, and I am fortunate I'm the mayor who gets to lead this charge," he said.
Jim Grontkowski, maintainance director at the Ramona Villas, said getting homeowners to convert to more drought-tolerant plants is not easy. His HOA is slowly bringing in materials including artificial turf.
"A lot of people like the green belt," he said.
The Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee is also looking at how to convert properties to desert landscaping, said Chairman John Williams. The committee will host a garden walk this spring to showcase eco-friendly landscaping, he said.
David Luker, general manager of the Desert Water Agency, told the HOA group it could save money by monitoring the amount of time allotted for sprinklers.
"You have to take control of your irrigation by taking control away from the gardener," said Luker. "He's just trying to keep it green."
Luker said one HOA saved 25 percent of its water bills by installing irrigation controls that gardeners couldn't manipulate. Those controls are available for the public to purchase.
The Desert Water Agency will also conduct free water usage studies for HOAs, Luker said.
The DWA can also host seminars on water use for HOAs, he said.
"Conservation of water is not creating new supply," said Luker. "But it lets us stretch it a bit further." #
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802270314
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