[Water_news] 2. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: SUPPLY - 5/06/09

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment 

 

May 6, 2009

 

2. Supply –

 

 

Water Cuts Target Tourist San Diego Attractions

KFMB TV

 

Opinion:

County leaders must collaborate to save water

Desert Sun

 

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Water Cuts Target Tourist San Diego Attractions

KFMB TV – 5/5/09

 

New water rules could dry up some tourist spots now that the San Diego City Council voted to make cuts mandatory.

 

It's probably safe to say that anyone who's ever visited Balboa Park has a photo of the fountain. To Michelle Brodowski the fountain is more than just a place to watch the water spray and her daughter feel the mist across her face. For Michelle, it's about memories of her wedding day.

 

"It's beautiful and it's always going to be memorable and it's always going to be something we cherish," Brodowski said.

 

However, city wide water restrictions that will go in place June 1 will shut the fountain off. The Drought Level 2 Alert also means other tourist attractions like our area golf courses will be forced to only water the fairways and roughs three times a week, but could be cut back more if the drought gets worse.

 

 "We become more restrictive and apply the restrictions to the tees at level three and then at level four, the greens, as well," San Diego public utilities assistant Alex Ruiz said.

 

Landscaping throughout the city will also only see water three days a week as part of the new restrictions, and tourists and San Diegans alike will find getting water at area restaurants more restrictive as well..

 

The Mayor says the cuts will help conserve water and get us through the drought. However, San Diegans like Michelle Brodowski say the cuts will make San Diego look less appealing.

 

"When they want to shoot photographs here it's not going to be as beautiful without a fountain," she said.

You should receive information on the restrictions in your water bill. Fines for not complying range from $100 to $1,000.#

http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=10310141

 

Opinion:

County leaders must collaborate to save water

Desert Sun – 5/6/09

By Marion Ashley

 

Marion Ashley is Riverside County supervisor for the Fifth District. He has served as a director of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and board member and past president of the Eastern Municipal Water District.

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Time and again, the residents of California have risen to meet the challenges that have faced the state. With the ongoing drought and reduced water allocations from Northern California, the citizens of Riverside County once again must meet a new challenge that threatens our economy and way of life.

 

Statewide, water leaders including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg and the Association of California Water Agencies are all wrestling with a solution to our water crisis, and we should continue to encourage their efforts.

 

Riverside County cannot count on a quick and favorable resolution. We must do all we can to help ourselves with sustainable local and countywide water efficiency measures until statewide efforts assure a dependable water supply.

 

Fortunately, our county and the water districts that serve it have been on the forefront of finding ways to purify groundwater, manage storm-water runoff, recharge our aquifers and promote conservation.

 

Now we must redouble our efforts.

 

While the challenge of providing water to Riverside County continues to grow, our experience and willingness to collaborate among water districts, cities, agencies and departments assures that we will find the solutions we need.

 

Nowhere is the collaboration found better than the Riverside County Water Symposium, where, for the past five years, stakeholders in the water industry and community meet to identify local and regional challenges and work together to overcome them.

 

This year's symposium, May 28 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, will focus on finding ways to meet the state's goal of cutting water use by 20 percent, meeting the requirements of greenhouse gas bill AB32, unveiling a new landscape ordinance, funding much-needed water infrastructure and advocating for a solution to managing the Bay Area delta.

 

I urge the members of the water community, city leaders and staff to attend this important event.

 

If we do not implement solutions to our water needs, we, as a region and state, will fail. Businesses and jobs will move elsewhere. Cities will struggle, and we could fall into a spiral that would take a generation to recover from.

 

Federal money is making its way through the system for us to strengthen our water infrastructure. We must act quickly and be united if we are to secure the funding needed to capture rainwater, expand our reclaimed water system and leverage our groundwater resources.

 

Do your part by reducing your water use inside the home and in your yards.

 

Plant water-wise shrubs, use water saving appliances and fixtures and be aware of how you use your water every day. #

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090506/COLUMNS26/905060301/1026/news12/County+leaders+must+collaborate+to+save+water

 

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