California Water News
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
July 23, 2009
2. Supply –
Water factor raised
San Bernardino County Sun
LA council approves measure requiring high-efficiency water devices
Torrance Daily Breeze
Thousand Oaks approves new limits on water use
Ventura County Star
Agencies review Redway waterworks
Eureka Times-Standard
AmCan awards $2.2M contract for water storage tank
Vallejo Times-Herald
Some eateries serving water on request only
Palm Springs Desert Sun
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Water factor raised
Issue seen as role player in recovery
San Bernardino County Sun-7/22/09
Matt Wrye
Buried in a report released Wednesday are two words increasingly becoming an issue in the topic of economic recovery for the Inland Empire: "water supply."
While the Inland Empire forecast by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., a research group, pushes recovery prospects to 2011 or 2012, the region's water supply could play a bigger role in shaping that recovery than people realize.
"Water costs are going to be very important," said Jack Kyser, the agency's lead economist. "Water is obviously going to become more expensive."
If job growth goes hand in hand with attracting new companies, water issues might keep the area's job base from reaching its full potential.
Besides a skilled work force and inexpensive real estate, certain textile manufacturers, food processors and other businesses look to expand in regions with low water costs.
"First of all, are you even going to have available water?" said Kyser, citing some of those industries' concerns. "It's definitely a concern. California is already seen as a high-cost state to do business in."
Lee Harrington, executive director of the Southern California Leadership Council, a Los Angeles-based group of business and community leaders that works with the county agency, agreed.
But he noted that some water agencies and districts are already at the forefront of the water-conservation issue.
"You've got some pretty creative water agencies out there doing some cutting-edge things," Harrington said.
He said new development cuts to the core of how water conservation will shape the region's economic recovery. On top of maneuvering through the environmental report process, developers will increasingly have to demonstrate cost-effective conservation measures.
"The Inland Empire ... needs to overcome the perception that somehow water availability is more challenged there than other places," Harrington said. "It isn't necessarily true."
The economic development corporation's report says a rebound in the Inland Empire housing market - hopefully by the end of 2010 - will signal a turnaround in the region's economy.
The logistics industry will still fuel growth, although it will be tepid.
Also, according to the report, the commercial real estate market, already showing major weakness, will remain a huge risk for at least the next couple of years.#
http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_12894222?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com-www.sbsun.com
LA council approves measure requiring high-efficiency water devices
Torrance Daily Breeze-7/22/09
By Rick Orlov
In an effort to save 1 billion gallons of water a year, all new construction and renovation projects in Los Angeles will be required to have high-efficiency water devices under a measure approved Wednesday by the City Council.
Beginning Dec. 1, new and upgraded residential, commercial and industrial projects will have to install fixtures that use less water - from showers and faucets to dishwashers and toilets.
"In Los Angeles, we've developed a culture that values water conservation," council President Eric Garcetti said after the 13-0 vote. "This ordinance not only saves water, but it will help us create jobs. We welcome the manufacturers of these devices to Los Angeles, a city that has been the most progressive when it comes to conservation."
For residents, the biggest impact will come with the installation of new dishwashers and toilets. New dishwashers use roughly half the water of older models, while ultra-low-flush toilets use 1.3 gallons per flush compared with the current low-flush rate of 1.6 gallons.
H. David Nahai, general manager of the Department of Water and Power, said the measure will help extend the city's water supply.
"Conservation is of the utmost importance in our city," Nahai said. "The change in standards is an essential step to ensure water conservation in our future."
In response to a request by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, DWP officials said they are studying conservation measures using gray
water, which is wastewater from laundry, bathing and dish washing.#
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_12892513?IADID=Search-www.dailybreeze.com-www.dailybreeze.com
Thousand Oaks approves new limits on water use
Consumption must be cut 15%
Ventura County Star-7/23/09
By Rachel McGrath
New restrictions on water use will go into effect Aug. 1 in Thousand Oaks as water suppliers seek to reduce consumption.
The City Council on Tuesday night voted 5-0 to declare a Level 1 water supply shortage, which expands the mandatory conservation measures set out in the city’s water conservation ordinance that became official in June.
Level 1 restricts landscape irrigation to three days a week between April and November and twice a week from November through March.
Also, homeowners and businesses are required to fix water leaks within 72 hours. Watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“All these requirements require a great deal of outreach,” city Public Works Director Mark Watkins told the council. “A lot of it is in the faith that our residents will do the right thing once we give them the opportunity and let them know what our situation is with regard to water and our need to use it wisely.”
On July 1, Calleguas Municipal Water District, which supplies water to Thousand Oaks and much of Ventura County, established a supply allocation program mandated by its supplier, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Thousand Oaks must reduce water consumption by 15 percent or face up to $4 million in penalties, which might have to be recouped by increasing water rates, officials say.
“I think it’s really important to use that in your promotional materials, that everybody has to do their part of it,” Council member Jacqui Irwin told Watkins. “I don’t think any of my neighbors know about the three days a week, so education is really important.”
In addition to the city, two private water companies supply water to Thousand Oaks homes and businesses. Representatives of the companies, California American Water Co. and California Water Service Co., spoke at the council meeting in support of the tighter restrictions.
The companies also are responsible for reducing their customers’ water consumption by 15 percent.
On Monday night, Simi Valley declared a Level 1 water supply shortage and ordered that watering could take place only three days a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Thousand Oaks did not specify which three days a week the public may water lawns and gardens.
In response to a question from Councilman Dennis Gillette, Watkins said city workers are available to carry out water audits at homes and businesses to help people identify ways to conserve.
A city water hotline has been established, which people can call to report water use in violation of the ordinance. The number is 375-5747.#
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/jul/23/to-approves-new-limits-on-water-use/
Agencies review Redway waterworks
Eureka Times-Standard-7/23/09
By John Driscoll
State and federal officials gathered along the edge of the South Fork of the Eel River Wednesday to begin to untangle the web of regulations that need to be addressed to solve Redway's water woes.
While the community has adopted mandatory water conservation measures and remains concerned about its water supply, agency representatives couldn't provide a firm timeline on when the town's application for an emergency fix might be approved.
But California Department of Fish and Game environmental scientist Jane Arnold did say she expects Redway's request to take on a higher priority than less urgent permit applications.
”There's a lot of people needing water right now,” Arnold said.
The Redway Community Services District last summer had a scrape with water shortages that may be due to the migration of the river's channel from its intake pipe, or a problem with the intake itself. This year, the concern has grown.
Redway is looking to retrofit its water system and increase its storage capacity, and is planning to dig test pits and investigate the reason behind the shortage. That will require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The effort may soon get its key funding from the California Department of Public Health's drinking water branch. Department sanitary engineer Ronnean Lund said that she expects the application to be approved -- possibly with some conditions -- within about a week.
Lund said that Redway also has another loan set up to fund the remainder of the project.
”There's more to this project than the intake,” Lund said, “but it's the intake that's made it a crisis.”
The agency representatives present Wednesday all agreed that they were working on the assumption that the larger project would be started this year.
Something may need to be done before then. District engineer Ken Dean said that mandatory conservation measures are saving about 50,000 to 75,000 gallons of water per day, which is allowing the district to keep its pumping ability and storage stable.
”It's still a touchy situation,” Dean said.
The district has applied for permits to allow it to pump water from the river channel onto the gravel in which its intake pipe is set. The water would percolate down to the pipe where it could be taken up.
In an effort to underscore the severity of the situation, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday declared a local water emergency for Redway.
Fish and Game senior environmental scientist Bill Condon said that while the agency was there to address the immediate threat to the community's water, it's also concerned about the effects water diversions are having on watersheds around the region.
He said that the department is in the slow process of informing residents that they need to get a permit for any substantial diversion of water, and that riparian water rights are not the only authority.
Fish and Game hopes to ensure that the total withdrawals in any watershed don't harm fish and wildlife, Condon said.
But Condon also admitted that enforcement of unpermitted withdrawals is currently not feasible. He said the agency's tact is to try to inform as many people as possible of the law.#
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_12897145
AmCan awards $2.2M contract for water storage tank
Vallejo Times-Herald-7/23/09
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen
Though dire water shortage predictions didn't materialize this year, city council members moved Tuesday to help ensure they never do.
Council members voted unanimously to award contracts to build the city's long-awaited one million gallon recycled water storage tank.
The council awarded a nearly $2.2 million construction contract to Mountain Cascade, Inc. for the project, as well as a $141,596 construction services contract to Winzler & Kelly. In addition, a $400,000 construction management and inspection services contract was awarded to Coastland Engineering.
The deal includes a 10 percent construction contingency fund of $218,775 and a $50,000 incentive for early completion.
"This project has been in the works for at least six years," City Manager Rich Ramirez said. "This is a special night."
The ailing economy meant a $2 million savings on the project, he said.
A relatively long and sometimes contentious debate preceded a 4 to 1 vote to amend the city's water conservation ordinance to include the use of reclaimed water for irrigation and other uses when possible.
A $2.5 million state grant rides on the city adopting a qualifying water recycling ordinance, Several council members said the amendment would result in significant savings in potable water.
But Councilmember Ed West objected to ordinance language that seems to mandate under certain circumstances, connecting to the city's purple pipe, which will carry the used water.
Council members also adopt new child care home regulations. The new rules would require a retooled permit for larger child care facilities, of which the city now has eight. There are 17 smaller facilities in the city.
A new marketing tagline for the city, which now is, "American Canyon -- where your Napa Valley experience begins," was also adopted. The old slogan -- "Gateway to the Napa Valley" -- no longer represents what the city has become, councilmembers agreed.
The city will change the two signs in town that contain the old slogan, Ramirez said.#
Some eateries serving water on request only
Palm Springs Desert Sun-7/23/09
By Denise Goolsby
Thirty-seven Coachella Valley restaurants, including 17 in Palm Desert, are trying to battle California's drought, one glass at a time.
At the request of the Coachella Valley Water District, the restaurants are serving water only when customers request it.
“With this program, CVWD is working with local businesses to raise awareness of the regional water crisis,” said Abby Figueroa, CVWD public information associate.
Sherman's Deli & Bakery in Palm Desert was the first to sign up for the program. The restaurant has been providing water on a by-request basis since November.
General manager Gordon Poster said customers have been supportive of the conservation efforts, which have helped the restaurant save about 125 gallons of water a day.
That's roughly the amount the average person uses over the course of a day, Figueroa said.
For each glass of water served, four glasses of water are needed to wash the cup, according to an Arizona-based water conservation group — Water Use It Wisely — the organization that initiated the water-by-request program for restaurants, Figueroa said.
“Every drop counts and small conservation actions do add up to big savings over time,” she said.#
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907220376
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