Department of Water Resources
California Water News
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
June 2, 2009
2. Supply –
Foundation: State moving too slow on water crisis
Bakersfield Californian
VISTA: Water restriction starts Monday in irrigation district
North County Times
Water, sewer hikes needed now, Livingston City Council told
Merced Sun-Star
Umbrella handy? Modesto may get rained on today
Modesto Bee
Local car wash becomes clean water advocate
Chico Enterprise Record
Fountains will keep flowing in city park
San Diego Union Tribune
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Foundation: State moving too slow on water crisis
Bakersfield Californian-6/01/09
BY Courtenay Edelhart
Goals in the Delta
Vision strategic plan
1. Make the co-equal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem restoration the legal foundation of Delta and water policy making.
2. Recognize and enhance the unique cultural, recreational and agricultural values of the California Delta as an evolving place, an action critical to achieving the co-equal goals.
3. Restore the Delta ecosystem as the heart of a healthy estuary.
4. Promote statewide water conservation, efficiency and sustainable use.
5. Build facilities to improve the existing water conveyance system and expand statewide storage; operate both to achieve the co-equal goals.
6. Reduce risks to people, property and state interests in the Delta by effective emergency preparedness, appropriate land uses and strategic levee investments.
7. Establish a new governance structure with the authority, responsibility, accountability, science support and secure funding to achieve these goals.
View the Delta Vision Foundation report card at http://www.deltavisionfoundation.org/reports.php
Members of a foundation concerned about competing water interests in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta issued a report Monday that accuses the state of moving too slowly to address a deepening water crisis.
In February 2007, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger created the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force to come up with recommendations that would lead to a sustainable delta. There isn't enough water to meet environmental, industrial, agricultural and residential water needs.
The task force disbanded after issuing a Delta Vision Strategic Plan in October 2008, but in March 2009 its members regrouped to form the independent Delta Vision Foundation to monitor progress.
Monday, the foundation slammed the state, calling for "a more aggressive, cohesive and integrated approach by the governor and the Legislature."
In the six months since the plan's release, the governor has not responded to the recommendations and strategies it contained even though his cabinet committee reviewed and largely supported them, the foundation charged in a so-called mid-term report card.
"The problems will not go away if you ignore them," said Phil Isenberg, former chairman of the Delta Vision Task Force, after a meeting in Sacramento Monday at which the foundation heard from water system stakeholders and the public.
The governor isn't ignoring them, said Joe Grindstaff, the state's deputy director for water policy and director of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program.
"There's a lot happening, but it's not always the kinds of things that everybody on the outside would see," Grindstaff said. "But (the delta) is something that the governor has been committed to for a long time."
The strategic plan called for investment in infrastructure and better planning to balance the needs of competing interests such as farmers already parched by a drought and environmentalists anxious to protect the delta smelt and other threatened species in the region.
There are at least 16 major bills working their way through the state Legislature that address components of the water system.
Isenberg said he's worried there will be a "30-hour frenzy at the end of the session to hammer out consensus and work out inconsistencies."
Isenberg added that he believes tangible steps can be taken now, despite the state budget crisis, because some of the infrastructure investments could be paid for with revenue bonds paid back by fees on water users, as opposed to general obligation bonds covered by the state's general fund.
A canal that would bypass environmentally fragile areas to deliver water from northern California to the Central Valley is one example. Such a canal has been studied for decades, but never seems to come to fruition.
Grindstaff, too, says the budget need not be a hindrance, at least for some recommendations, and he said work on a portion of the plan will happen this session.
"It's our objective to get agreement on a series of bills this year," he said. "These things needs to be a coordinated effort. Any one of them alone is not enough." #
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/business/economy/x838743592/Foundation-State-moving-too-slow-on-water-crisis
VISTA: Water restriction starts Monday in irrigation district
North County Times-6/01/09
By Stacy Brandt
·
Mandatory limits on water use went into effect Monday for residents and businesses in the Vista Irrigation District.
The new rules restrict washing paved surfaces, limit the number of days in which people can water their lawns or gardens, and mandate a variety of other conservation measures.
In April, the San Diego County Water Authority declared a "level two drought alert," which means local water agencies will get less water starting Monday. The authority supplies roughly three-quarters of the water used in the county.
"The San Diego region is facing unprecedented challenges to its water supply reliability," said Roy Coox, general manager of the Vista Irrigation District, which includes the city of Vista and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside and unincorporated areas of the county.
The new rules include:
-- Sprinklers can only be used for 10 minutes a day on assigned days, unless using water-efficient devices such as drip irrigation systems or stream rotor sprinklers.
-- Lawns and other landscaping can be watered only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
-- Ornamental fountains or decorative water features can be used only with recycled water.
-- Vehicles can be washed only with a bucket and hand-held hose or at a commercial site that recirculates water.
-- Wait staff can serve or refill water in restaurants only if asked.
-- Hotel guests must be offered the option of not laundering towels and linens each day.
-- All water leaks must be repaired within 72 hours of notification by the irrigation district.
>From now through October, homes or businesses with addresses ending in an odd number can water Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those with even-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
>From November to May, homes and businesses with odd-numbered addresses can water only on Tuesdays, while those with even-numbered addresses can water only on Thursdays.#
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/06/01/news/coastal/vista/z28a9292b0b07364b882575c8005df39b.txt
Water, sewer hikes needed now, Livingston City Council told
Merced Sun-Star-6/02/09
By Jonah Owen Lamb
The sky may fall on Livingston if water and sewer rates are not hiked -- and soon.
If not, the city may have to start cutting the police and fire budgets, or worse.
Every month the city must take money from a dwindling general fund to pay for water and sewer services that are not paying for themselves.
At least that's the message City Manager Richard Warne has been drilling into the heads of the City Council and the citizens of Livingston as part of the justification for why water and sewer rates must be hiked more than 100 percent, and for the first time in more than a decade.
The rate hike needs the approval of four of the five City Council members, who will vote during tonight's meeting.
But confusion still reigns over almost every aspect of the new water rates, especially how long the city can remain on its current course before it runs ashore.
If the city keeps taking roughly $25,000 to $30,000 out of the general fund every month to pay for sewer and water funds in the red, the city's general fund -- today at approximately $1.5 million -- could carry the burden of both sewer and water for several years.
But that would only be possible if a bevy of variables -- from state raids on the city's budget to unforeseen catastrophes forcing the city to dip into these funds -- do not occur.
Trying to figure out how long the ever-changing general fund might be able to carry the loss for sewer and water is a dicey thing to do, said Victoria Lewis, the city's finance director.
"If you continue to contribute the $30,000 to $31,000 from the general fund that does not have a steady stream of revenues to support the activity it is responsible for taking care of, then you're going to be faced with serious issues down the road," said Lewis.
"I can say that within four to five years this city is going to have serious financial problems if these rate increases don't go into effect immediately."
Warne shared those sentiments, pointing out that something drastic may happen if the status quo isn't changed.
"Either (the city will) cut recreation and public safety, or they are going to have to raise the rates," he said.
Since there are to many factors that could change the financial landscape in the coming months, Warne would not venture to predict when the breaking point might come.#
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/877298.html
Umbrella handy? Modesto may get rained on today
Modesto Bee-6/02/09
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It may be June on the calendar, but the weather isn't going according to plan. The Modesto-area forecast today calls for mostly cloudy conditions with isolated showers and thunderstorms.
A brief cloudburst dropped rain on north Modesto for a few minutes about 7:30 this morning.
High temperatures in the area should range from 73 to 83 degrees today, depending on elevation. Winds are expected to be from the northwest today at 10 mph.
The National Weather Service said the scattered showers and thunderstorms should appear over the interior of Northern California, with the most numerous over the northern Sierra, southern Cascades and northern Coastal Range. The stronger storms will bring heavy rain, strong wind gusts and hail.
It should be mostly cloudy in the Modesto area tonight with a slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms. Lows are expected in the 50s, and it will be breezy. Northwest winds are expected from 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.
The forecast looks much the same through Friday night.#
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/727127.html
Local car wash becomes clean water advocate
Chico Enterprise Record-5/31/09
By Laura Urseny
Local car wash detailer Gerald Russ Schimdt of Russ' Auto Detailing has become the first car washing business in Chico to join the Clean Water Business Partners program, a local effort to protect polluted water from running into creeks and groundwater.
After seeing where environmental regulations were going, Schmidt decided to purchase a water recovery and cleaning system — a $30,000 device made to strip pollution from his wash water. He then uses the cleaned water again in the process.
"It's not a requirement, but it's the right thing to do," said Schmidt.
Jennifer Oman agrees.
Oman is the consultant hired by the city to administer the clean water program, and praises Schmidt's effort.
In setting up the Clean Water Business Partners program, Oman initially approached carpet cleaners and landscapers who send their waste water into street storm drains. Street gutters feed into storm drains and eventually into creeks and the Sacramento River.
Oman said she's now turning to other industries, such as car washes.
The car wash business at 251 Panama Ave. has an enclosed bay for car washing that is served by a drain and pipeline into the water tank.
Saying he understands not all businesses can afford such expensive equipment as his water cleaner, they should be concerned that their wash water goes into the city sewers, rather than down street gutters and into the storm drain system where it can impact creeks, Schmidt said.
There's
no cost to become a Clean Water Business Partner, and it can benefit a business, with promotion of the company on the program's Web site, brochures, advertising and more.
Business information is also included in the annual Clean Chico Creeks calendar.
"While the city looks at it as storm water management, it's really pollution prevention," Oman said.
For some business owners, there's no realization of the connection between their business' waste water and creek pollution.
"That's why it's an education program. It's actually an incentive program," Oman noted.
In becoming a partner, businesses promise to educate their customers about preventing water pollution, among other steps, none of which are complex or hard.
"Right now there are incentives like this program to prevent pollution, but ultimately there will be standards to comply with," Oman said.
Keep Chico Clean is a cooperative effort of the city of Chico and Butte County Department of Public Works.
Since the program began several years ago, Oman has gained 23 members, ranging from carpet cleaners and general contractors to painters, plant nurseries and landscapers.
She is also reaching out to local business counseling and support programs to spread word about the Clean Water Business Partners program.
More information on the program is at www.keepchicoclean.org. The Web site includes a list of businesses that follow best-management practices to prevent runoff pollution.#
http://www.chicoer.com/business/ci_12487849
Fountains will keep flowing in city park
Operational times for water features reduced
San Diego Union-Tribune -6/02/09
By Helen Gao
The much-photographed water fountains in Balboa Park will not go dry, despite conservation mandates that took effect yesterday in San Diego.
When the City Council declared a Level 2 Drought Alert last month, it adopted an ordinance requiring property owners to “stop operating ornamental fountains except to the extent needed for maintenance.”
At the time, city officials raised the possibility of turning off public displays, including the iconic Bea Evenson fountain near the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.
Yesterday, Stacey LoMedico, director of park and recreation, said the park's fountains will continue to operate, but operational time is being cut. Fountains now run four to six hours daily, starting at noon, down from an average of 9.7 hours.
“We are going to continue to evaluate it to see if we can reduce that further,” LoMedico said, adding that small signs will inform the public about the cutbacks.
City crews have determined that completely shutting off the water features could damage mechanical systems or create health and safety hazards, she said.
A dry fountain, for example, could become a vandalism target, and stagnant water could breed mosquitoes.
Alex Ruiz, San Diego's assistant director of public utilities, said private property owners should follow the lead of the Park and Recreation Department and evaluate how they can minimize fountain operations.
It's up to individuals, Ruiz said, to figure out how much they can cut back because different fountain configurations have different maintenance requirements.
Those who disregard the city's conservation mandates face a fine of $100 to $1,000.
Claire Utgaard, a Tierrasanta resident who frequents Balboa Park with her children, was happy to hear the city will keep the fountains going.
“If you take away the water feature, there is a silence here,” she said, as she watched her children run around the Bea Evenson fountain. “The sound of water would be missed.”
On the other hand, Madeleine J. Hinkes of Point Loma, visiting with an out-of-town guest, said that shutting off a prominent icon like the Bea Evenson fountain would send a powerful message about conservation.
“This would be a great teaching opportunity,” Hinkes said.#
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/02/fountains-will-keep-flowing-city-park/?metro&zIndex=109412
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