Water Education Foundation

Is Desalination the Answer to California’s Looming Water Crisis?

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 30, 2007 at 9:44 pm

An Aquafornia Exclusive:

In Southern California, much of the water we use here is imported from the San Francisco Bay-Delta area, the Owens Valley, and the Colorado River. Southern California is experiencing its driest year on record, and water resources throughout California and across the Southwest are being impacted by a persistent drought, global warming, and continued population growth. With 20 desalination projects proposed for the California coast, desalination is being considered as an answer to California’s dwindling water supply. Desalination would provide a reliable, drought-proof water supply from a seemingly endless source and would give local control to municipalities who are located far from fresh water sources. But is desalination truly the answer to California’s water shortage?

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May 30, 2007 · Filed Under Articles, Desalination

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Judge Wanger rules against DWR; might issue a stay

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 30, 2007 at 8:58 am

From the LA Times:

For the second time this year, a judge has ruled that management of California’s water system is illegally imperiling fish, making it increasingly likely that the state will have to pump less water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to Southern California cities and Central Valley farms.

U.S. District Judge Oliver W. Wanger issued the ruling Friday and ordered a hearing for next week at which he could issue a stay in the case, forestalling any immediate effect on the pumping operation. The ruling was another victory for environmentalists who have been attacking the state’s delta operations on multiple legal fronts, arguing that water shipments are helping drive the once abundant native delta smelt to extinction.

For the full text of the LA Times Story, click here.

From the LA Times Opinion section:

An estimated 23 million of us receive some or most of our water from the delta. And the delta is in trouble. Has been for at least 30 years. But this year, the juvenile population of the endangered delta smelt — an “indicator” species — dropped by 93%, a plunge toward extinction that could signal imminent disaster. Arresting that disaster could require a cut in water delivered to you and me.

The delta is a 700-square-mile maze of river channels, sloughs, marshes and mostly artificial islands protected by a tenuous levee system. Two giant water-delivery systems — the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project — draw their water from the delta and send it southward in canals to the farms of the San Joaquin Valley and homes and businesses in Southern California.

The problem is that extensive pumping over the last half a century has disrupted the environment of the delta. Fish sometimes end up in the machinery, and the pumping is so strong that it sometimes reverses the natural river-to-delta-to-bay water flow. Temperature, depth and salinity are affected. On top of that, increased irrigation using pumped delta water means increased irrigation runoff, which has reduced the overall quality of delta water.

For the full text of the LA Times Opinion article, click here.

May 30, 2007 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project, Delta Issues

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Salton Sea Plan released; 8.9 billion needed

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 30, 2007 at 8:57 am

From the LA Times:

An ambitious $8.9-billion, 75-year plan to save the Salton Sea was handed to state lawmakers Friday. It calls for a drastically shrunken lake, the creation of a new “marine sea” and creation of thousands of separate wildlife habitats. “What we have done here is truly historic,” said Michael Chrisman, California’s resources secretary. “There is a little bit in here for everyone. There will be a lot of debate, and we think that is very healthy.”

The plan, three years in the making, would reduce the Salton Sea to about a fifth of its current size. The water would be less salty, and sport fish, such as the corvina that vanished five years ago, would be reintroduced. The plan calls for the creation of a 62,000-acre “saline habitat complex,” a series of 1,000-acre cells that would include bits of shoreline, islands and peninsulas to be habitat for birds, fish and invertebrates. A special 2,000-acre habitat would be built first to help save species, such as the tilapia, that are threatened by rising salt levels.

Under the proposal, 52 miles of barriers and 158 miles of berms would be added, and 106,000 acres of lake bed would be exposed. “The Legislature said in 2003 that the restoration of the sea is critically important,” Chrisman said. “There will be a big debate about the cost and timeline, but my sense is that the Legislature has already said yes and we will move forward.”

For the full text of the LA Times article, click here.

However, local officials realize with that price tag, it’s going to be a hard sell. Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, a member of the Salton Sea Authority, stated in the Riverside Press-Enterprise article, that “the proposal’s estimated cost, even spread over many years, will make it a hard sell.” More from the Riverside Press-Enterprise:

Richard Stapler, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, D-Los Angeles, said of the plan, “We are very concerned about the increase in cost to restore the Salton Sea.”

The proposal comes two months after a draft plan in the $6 billion range was issued. The cost increases, state officials said, reflect adjustments to appease the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and Imperial County, which shares the lake with Riverside County, and to set aside some of the sea bed for geothermal exploration.

For the rest of the coverage from the Riverside Press-Enterprise, which includes a picture of the proposed Salton Sea plan, click here.

The Desert Sun article also sees problems on the horizon:

Some stakeholders in the Coachella and Imperial valleys immediately panned the plan, saying it fails to deal with air quality problems or provide enough recreation opportunities.

“We won’t provide a cent, a single penny, for a project we do not support,” Imperial County Supervisor Gary Wyatt said. “And we do not support this plan as it currently exists.”

For the full text of the article from the Desert Sun, click here.

May 30, 2007 · Filed Under Salton Sea

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Water Crisis Looming, warns Newhall County Water Board member BJ Atkins

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 30, 2007 at 8:41 am

This, from the Santa Clarita Valley Signal:

One of my normal morning rituals is to head to the kitchen, get a cup of coffee and read the local paper. If I went to the sink right now and turned on the water, without hesitation I would expect clean, pure water to start flowing. The reliability of the water system is unquestioned. Would you be upset if water did not appear on demand? Would you find not being able to take your shower or wash your hands objectionable?

We don’t think twice about water; it is always there.

This is a testament to the efficiency of the water community. As a new member of the water community, I am continually impressed with the level of professionalism, attention to detail and passion exhibited by water agency staff and related officials. It’s no wonder Californians are not forced to think much about water.

This will not always be the case. As we look to the future, certain facts stare us in the face - and it doesn’t take long to become alarmed.

For the full text of the article from the Signal, click here.

May 30, 2007 · Filed Under Conservation, Drought, Weather & Snowpack

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Metropolitan Water District calls for conservation; begins ad campaign

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 30, 2007 at 8:36 am

The Aqua Blog Maven is impressed! It seems Southern California is starting to catch up with the rest of the state and is paying attention to the water supply situation here in Southern California!

This, from the North County Times:

With Southern California rainfall at one of its lowest levels in a century, the agency supplying water to most of the region is calling on consumers to reduce their consumption and has started a radio advertising campaign to get the word out, officials with Metropolitan Water District said Friday. The “Let’s Save” campaign will reach radio listeners across the region starting Monday. It encourages consumers to save water inside and outside the home by doing such things as shortening shower times and reducing the amount of water used in the yard.

Water district officials issued a news release Friday that states that they plan to meet consumer demands for water this summer despite the dry conditions in Southern California. “However, we understand that every drop of water saved this summer is a drop of water that can be stored for next year and beyond,” Metropolitan board Chairman Timothy F. Brick stated in the news release.

To meet demand this year, the agency will have to dip into its reserves to the tune of 500,000 acre feet, Metropolitan Water District officials said. An acre-foot of water is equal to 326,000 gallons, or enough water to supply the household needs of two families for one year.

For the full text of the article from the North County Times, click here.

May 30, 2007 · Filed Under Conservation

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Delta smelt population disappearing

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 23, 2007 at 5:54 pm

The Aqua Blog Maven is concerned … Recent trawls for determining the population of the Delta smelt netted only 25 fish - no zeroes were left off the end of that number - grow just one more hand or foot and you would be able to count them on your fingers and toes. It’s 93% less smelt then was found this same time last year.

What is amazing is that this information has been known since May 15th, and only recently reported on in the Northern California papers. It is getting NO attention down here in Southern California.

This from the Sacramento Bee, from yesterday:

“The numbers are so low that we are very concerned,” Armor said. “Something happened out there this year. Hardly any are out there.” The state typically conducts eight smelt surveys through June. Because smelt live for just one year, this spring’s low count does not bode well for the future, Armor said.

Environmental and fishing groups have complained that the state’s water-pumping operations are a factor in the decline of several species, including smelt. State researchers are studying whether other species are eating the smelt’s food or toxins in the river are killing the fish.

“We’re reducing water pumping as a precaution, but we believe it’s a toxic episode,” said Sandy Cooney, a spokesman with the California Resources Agency.

Quote of the day: State officials say no smelt have been killed at the Harvey O. Banks facility, the main pumping station outside Tracy that sends water to the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California.

Aqua Blog Maven would like to thank the state officials for somehow not capturing the remaining twenty-five smelt that are still surviving in the Delta …

For the full story as reported in the Sacramento Bee, click here.

In a letter addressed to Ryan Broddrick (Director of the Dept. of Fish & Game), Lester Snow (Director of the Dept. of Water Resources), and Pam Doduc (Chair of the State Water Resources Board), Darrell Steinberg, Chair of the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee, says “it’s time to stop arguing about what took the smelt to the brink of extinction and time to start taking decisive actions to bring them back.”

Steinberg expresses his dismay that, despite all of the recommendations of respected biologists and state’s Pelagic Fish Action Plan, the DWR has taken action on none of them and at times, taken actions diametrically opposed to the recommendations of the scientists.

He writes: ” … I’d like to know which of the recommendations in the Pelagic Fish Action Plan, by Drs Moyle and Swanson, and the Delta Smelt Workinfg Group you will be implementing and when, which you will not be implementing and why, and what additional actions you will be taking beyond those recommended in the Pelagic Fish Action Plan … and the Delta Smelt Working Group.”

The Aqua Blog Maven will let you know if there is any response.

So what does this mean, really?

The Delta smelt are the “canary in the coal mine”, so to speak. They are also an important part of the food chain. If the Delta Smelt become extinct, so will other species who depend on them. The ecosystem of the Delta will collapse.

Why should we in Southern California care? Because a major portion of our water comes from the Delta area. In the Northern part of the state, much attention is paid to water. It is also where most of the water is. The water pumped from the Delta goes to agricultural purposes in the Central Valley, and to Southern California as a major portion of its’ water supply. Or, in other words, the fish are dying off due to, at least in part, the operations of the pumps that take water out of the Delta, water which is on it’s way to the agricultural fields of the Central Valley and to the faucets of Southern California.

Hank Shaw has a great story on this, which you can read by clicking here, and also Waterlog, which you can visit by clicking here. You will also find the full text of the letter at the Waterlog site.

Even though several Delta species (the smelt not being the only ones) have been declining precipitously over the last six years, the State DWR has taken no real action to prevent and avoid extinction. Last year, the State and Federal water projects exported near record amounts of water through the massive pumps located in the Delta.

So what can you do? If this concerns you, and the Aqua Blog Maven believes that it should, then you can send an email to the governor by clicking here.

May 23, 2007 · Filed Under Delta Issues

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Calexico files suit against All-American canal lining project

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 23, 2007 at 4:44 pm

This from the San Francisco Chronicle:

The city [Calexico] lodged a new legal challenge in a federal appeals court opposing efforts to line a border canal with cement to prevent water seepage. In a lawsuit filed Monday with the Ninth District Court of Appeals, Calexico claims environmental and economic impacts on the city were not sufficiently considered before the court dismissed litigation in April, allowing the lining to be installed. The city wants the court to reopen hearings on the issue.

City officials said Tuesday that they believed their suit would be joined by a Mexican civic organization, Consejo Desarollo Economico De Mexicali, that has challenged the canal project on the grounds that it would have a dire effect on the Mexican economy.

The cement lining project, which is expected to move forward in June, is meant to stop the seepage of some 67,000 acre-feet of water annually that leaks into Mexico. CDEM has claimed the city of Mexicali, on the Mexican side of the border, has a historical right to that water.

For the full text of the story from the San Francisco Chronicle, click here.

In a somewhat contradictory story, the Imperial Valley Press Online filed this report today:

… But for some Calexico City Council members there was confusion Tuesday as to the city’s role in the latest litigation. Councilman John Renison said he thought the city’s involvement in the litigation would be secondary to other parties, who since 2005 have challenged the AAC project. “My understanding was that the city was lending its name only and we were not to be a party,” Renison said, adding: “I felt our involvement was minimal.”

Councilwoman Carmen Durazo shared Renison’s sentiment, stating she would have to speak to the city’s attorney to clarify the action the city has taken.

Actually, the city is the only litigant in a filing Monday with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

For the full text of the Imperial Valley Press Online story, click here.

May 23, 2007 · Filed Under All-American Canal

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Delta Smelt population plunges, spring trawls only net 25 fish

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 22, 2007 at 2:48 pm

Yes, spring trawls aimed at determining the population of the endangered Delta Smelt netted just 25 fish; some trawls did not find any. This represents a dramatic decline in the smelt’s population and only 7% of the amount found in the Delta last year.

Meanwhile, the debate continues as to whether it is pesticides, pumping, or some other factor that is killing the species.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Department of Water Resources Deputy Director Jerry Johns said that stopping the pumps is not necessarily the answer and that the pumps have not been killing many fish recently. “We need to take a more holistic approach rather than just focusing on the pumps,” he said.

Chuck Armor, acting regional manager for the Department of Fish and Game’s bay-delta region, agreed. He said water tests on the Sacramento River, where state officials tried to send baby smelt using pulses of fresh water from the south delta, showed that pesticides may have killed many of the fish this year.

Johns said Schwarzenegger is seeking a comprehensive solution through the Delta Vision task force established in October. That group is supposed to come up with a plan for helping the delta by the end of 2008. In the meantime, Johns said, various actions have been taken to help fish, including cutting current pumping levels as much as possible without, for example, affecting supplies to users in the East Bay.

Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, called Johns’ assertions a smoke screen. His group sued the state over pumping operations and the effect on the smelt.

“They’re still in a state of denial,” Jennings said. “Year after year, Jerry and company have been saying the same thing: ‘We’re addressing it.’ And the numbers of fish have spiraled down, and the amount of water pumped has increased.”

Michael Lozeau, an attorney working with Jennings, said the smelt “are absolutely on the brink of extinction” and state bureaucrats want “to sit around for a year basically pushing paper.”

For the full text of the article from the San Francisco Chronicle, click here.

May 22, 2007 · Filed Under Delta Issues, Delta smelt, Other Delta Issues

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Salton Sea plan moving ahead despite lack of specifics

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 22, 2007 at 2:39 pm

The plans to save the Salton Sea are behind schedule, and stakeholder’s expressed their frustration recently, concerned that the efforts could come too late.

From the Imperial Valley Press Online:

[Salton Sea Authority Executive Director Rick] Daniels said he is concerned the longer it takes for state officials to come up with a fix that stakeholders here and elsewhere agree upon, the longer it will take state lawmakers to come up with a plan to pay for a portion of the fix.

At issue has been whether the final plan will include recreational lakes in the southern portion of the sea, 70 percent of which is within Imperial County boundaries, the rest lies within Riverside County boundaries.

Area officials have made it clear to Chrisman’s office they want the final plan to include a recreational lake, which they say is critical for Imperial County to reap economic benefits from the sea. They have said any final plan that does not include such a lake will not get the political support of local governments in this county.

For the full text of the article from the Imperial Valley Press Online, click here.

However, even without a specific plan in place, the senate bill passed the committee and heads to the full Senate. From the Desert Sun:

While the Senate Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 187, Daniels said supporters are a “little bit hamstrung” in trying to talk about the sea restoration because they don’t have a specific plan. Backers want state Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman to release his restoration recommendation, describing a course of action expected to cost about $6billion and based on the work of an advisory committee.

Release of the recommendation has been delayed, but may come out by the end of May, based on what Daniels and others have been told.

For the full text of the Desert Sun story, click here.

May 22, 2007 · Filed Under Colorado River Basin, Salton Sea, Southwest Water Issues

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Reservoir campaign gathering momentum

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 22, 2007 at 2:27 pm

From the San Diego Union Tribune:

Influential business, agricultural and city officials, energized by support from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, are mapping plans to independently launch a ballot initiative next year if the Democrat-controlled Legislature continues to block a $5.95 billion bond package. “It’s now or disaster,” said Randy Fiorini, president of the Association of California Water Agencies, representing urban and farm suppliers.

Why? This year’s dry spell all along the Sierra Nevada is gripping much of California. The Colorado River system, a primary source for California and the West, has had only one normal water year since 1999. Climate changes brought on by global warming could disrupt weather patterns, leaving the state vulnerable to punishing drought with few places to bank early snowmelt. To protect endangered fish, a judge has threatened to shut down state pumps that move water out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. “It’s created a perfect storm,” said state Sen. Dave Cogdill, a Modesto Republican carrying the governor’s bond package in the Legislature.

To read the full text of the Union Tribune article, click here.

May 22, 2007 · Filed Under Water Legislation

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IID meets with farmers to discuss future

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 22, 2007 at 2:12 pm

The Imperial Irrigation District met with farmers on Monday to discuss water conservation efforts aimed at reducing the amount of water used for irrigation in the Imperial Valley, and what conservation programs should be put in place.

From the Imperial Valley Press Online:

Discussion centered on the so-called Definite Plan, a proposal that mixes IID water system upgrades with on-farm conservation and automated water measurement systems to ensure water is not wasted. IID General Manager Charles Hosken issued a warning to those who attended Monday’s meeting. He said he had just attended a water conference in Las Vegas and he saw first-hand how much those outside the Valley want the Valley’s water.

“Their attitude is this: IID has more water than it needs or can possibly justify at a time when all other water users are being asked to do more with less,” Hosken said. “And the solution they offer is as transparent as their motives: more water transfers in the Imperial Valley that rely on water fallowing to conserve the water,” Hosken added.

For the full text of the Imperial Valley Press Online article, click here.

May 22, 2007 · Filed Under Colorado River Basin, Southwest Water Issues

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Water bond projects might include bike paths, aquariums, museums & boat-accessible lodging?

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 22, 2007 at 2:05 pm

From the Los Angeles Times:

Shoring up levees, building reservoirs and purging pollution from the state’s bays and streams may have been what voters had in mind in November when they approved billions of dollars of borrowing for crucial water projects. So it may come as a surprise that some of the debt they authorized could be headed toward a bike path through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, or “water-accessible overnight accommodations” on Lake Tahoe. Or a museum in Los Angeles. Even an aquarium 100 miles from the sea in Fresno.

Proposition 84 was a $5.3-billion bond measure that the official voter guide said would provide borrowing for “Water Quality, Safety and Supply. Flood Control. Natural Resource Protection. Park Improvements.” Less visible was the fine print that allowed state officials to authorize millions of dollars in spending with limited constraints. Lawmakers are now debating how to allocate the pot of money generated by the measure.

For the full text of the LA Times article, click here.

May 22, 2007 · Filed Under Water Legislation

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Drought conditions in Southern California bad news for firefighters

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 22, 2007 at 1:59 pm

From the Los Angeles Times:

Federal meteorologists expect “extreme” drought conditions this summer in Southern California, offering more bad news for firefighters who are already dealing with record dry weather. The forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dashed the hopes of some officials that the region’s bone-dry winter and spring would give way to a mild summer. “We’ve gone from moderate to severe drought, and we’ve jumped to extreme,” said Bill Patzert, climatologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge.

The evidence is clear: Both Lake Mead and Lake Powell on the Colorado River are at half capacity, Patzert said. Downtown L.A. has received less than 4 inches of rain this year and is set to claim a record for its driest season. “We can pretty much count on no rain into the fall,” said Miguel Miller, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego.

This season’s dry spell has been caused in large part by a persistent high-pressure ridge over the eastern Pacific Ocean that has blocked many storms from hitting Southern California, Miller said. The few storms the region has experienced have fizzled because they came over land rather than over the ocean, he added.

For the full story from the LA Times, click here.

May 22, 2007 · Filed Under Drought, Weather & Snowpack

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LA Times Opinion: It’s a drought

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 17, 2007 at 9:08 pm

Today’s LA Times Opinion section had a great article on conserving water. Titling this year’s extra dry conditions as “Drought III” (drought I being 1977, drought II being the late 80’s & early 90’s), Patt Morrisson writes: Drought III is on track to be the worst water crisis in 30 years, and what are we being asked to do to pitch in? Eh … not much.

Morrisson continues: The DWP is on record: We’re “prepared;” we have reserves. And like a proud papa, the DWP brags about us. We use the same amount of water we did more than 20 years ago — and we have a million more people. Good on us. But a lot of that savings comes from passive code changes like low-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads.

We don’t even notice, which is swell, but that also gives us a notion of false plenty. At the same time, the DWP is forced to turn to the Metropolitan Water District for more than twice as much water than it needed from the agency last year. Which makes us more dependent than usual on other people’s water, just as we are on other people’s oil.

For the record, the Aqua Blog Maven agrees!

The North County Times (San Diego) issued this opinion today: … there’s no good reason to wait on the authority’s actions to make water conservation efforts a routine part of our lives. The Water Authority already offers a list of conservation tips on its Web site (http://www.sdcwa.org/manage/conservation-springtips.phtml). Because an estimated 60 percent of residential water use goes toward landscaping, the tips are heavy on suggestions for reducing outside water use. Many of the tips for cutting indoor water use, like taking shorter showers, are ones most of us have heard before, but they serve as useful reminders.

As residents of Southern California, we should all use water as if we’re just one year away from a severe drought, because there’s a good chance we are. Depending on what happens in coming months, this may be that year. Consider this your first drought alert.

May 17, 2007 · Filed Under Conservation, General Water Issues

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Water Resources Development Act passes US Senate

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 17, 2007 at 8:08 pm

The $14 billion Water Resources Development Act has passed the Senate, and now moves on to conference with the House of Representatives, who passed their own version of the bill in April.

From the Fresno Bee: California’s share of the water bill is about $2.1 billion, more than any other state. The bill’s funding includes $3 million for the Port of Stockton, a $100 million reinforcement for levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and $20 million for improving trout habitat below Pine Flat Dam in Fresno County. On the Kings River, the money is supposed to aid long-running efforts to restore habitat for trout and other species living below Pine Flat.

The bill also includes $30 million towards restoration of the Salton Sea, as reported by the Desert Sun: “The State of California is finalizing a plan for restoration, and federal funding should be a part of this critical effort,” [Boxer] said in a statement. “If we allow the Sea to continue to deteriorate, the region could face enormous problems, including major air quality concerns.”

(Aquafornia Note: The current sea restoration plan has been estimated to cost $6 billion.)

May 17, 2007 · Filed Under Water Legislation

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This week in the blogosphere …

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 15, 2007 at 2:58 pm

This week’s travels through cyberspace have netted a few interesting blogs …

New California homes for sale! 1300 square feet for only $149,999! Where can you get such a deal? Why, next to the Salton Sea, of course! Here’s a realtor’s blog who writes:

Salton City is exploding with growth with the new Torrez-Martinez Casino scheduled to be opened by Febuary 2007, and the Salton Sea Authority is getting closer to making the final descision on the future of the Salton Sea. There is a lot of Contreversey on the clean up of the sea, well what we do know is that it will be done , because of the enviromental disaster that will happen if the sea is not cleaned or sustained. Salton City is the last city to develop in the valley. All the streets are paved and utilities are in place. With construction at full force its only a matter of time till it all comes together.

Hmmm… Aqua Blog Maven thinks that Realtor Joe may be a little over-optimistic about something being done to save the sea … But I wish Realtor Joe and his lovely wife good luck selling those homes!!!

Want to see what kind of place you’ll be living in for that price? Here’s a blog with a link to a YouTube video of someone who filmed a little bit of the Salton Sea area: click here.

Here’s a blog about saving the Salton Sea from the Ross Report: In response to this potential environmental disaster, in the words of the Los Angeles Times, (’Salton Sea is at a crucial juncture’) the [California Department of Water Resources] has drawn up a 75-year, $6-billion draft plan [which] calls for a less salty sea about one-sixth its current size, a series of ponds for habitat restoration and up to 70 miles of canals and barriers. Assuming the state legislature gets around to approving the very expensive plan, it would still take many years to implement, more than time enough for birds who have used it as a stopover on the Pacific Flyway to disappear — because the fish they feed on have disappeared also.

While you’re on your way out to visit your new home, here’s an interesting place to stop at: ugh, 4am drive from mexicali last night - groan - almost forgot about in ko pah - high above the imperial valley desert, about 80 miles east on the 8 from San Diego, before the drop from san diego county into the imperial valley desert stands a magestic and magical part of san diego - the in-ko-pah desert tower and the “mystery caves”. take the “in-ko-pah” exit and follow the signs..

In other blog news:

Mayor Sam’s backyard posted this, from Gary L. Toebben of the LA Chamber of Commerce, regarding the need to fix levees:

All of California needs a solution that provides a consistent and stable source of reasonably priced water in order to sustain our population and forecasted growth. We cannot let our fellow Californians forget that they have as much to lose as we do in the south if there ever should be a delta collapse. Both the Bay Area and the Central Valley receive about a third of their water from the delta, just as we do. We will all feel the pain in a delta catastrophe as it sinks California’s economy by an estimated $70 billion.

Here’s a blogger that agrees with him. From the California Greening blog: The Metropolitan Water District is playing with your future. In an action that I can only define as stupid, they have chosen to take a chance that the California Delta area will never have a major earthquake. Maybe they should ask the people of Northridge if that is a good bet. A recent (04/26/07) report by Alex Breitler of the Stockton Record gives the full background on this decision. They have decided that it better to let any earthquake happen and then fix the Delta Levees rather than taking steps not to shore up the levees in anticipation that such a quake will happen.

May 15, 2007 · Filed Under Delta Issues, Odds and Ends, Salton Sea

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All-American Canal Lining scheduled to begin in June

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 15, 2007 at 2:21 pm

From the Yuma Sun:

After nearly a year’s delay, Imperial Irrigation District expects to start construction June 4 on a project to line a portion of the earthen-banked All-American Canal with concrete.

The project had been put on hold because of legal challenges issued by environmentalists and businesses on both sides of the border, who say seepage from the 70-year-old canal is a vital water source for the Mexicali Valley aquifer.

Last month, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco lifted its injunction, clearing the way for the project to proceed, said Kevin Kelley, spokesman for Imperial Irrigation District. The irrigation district operates the federal waterway under a contract with the Department of Interior.

For the full text of the article, click here.

May 15, 2007 · Filed Under All-American Canal, Colorado River Basin, Imperial Irrigation District & Imperial Valley

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New pipeline for the Coachella Valley

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 15, 2007 at 2:15 pm

From the Desert Sun:

The Coachella Valley Water District will begin building a new pipeline soon to reroute some Colorado River water and conserve more drinking water in the valley. The new delivery system will send more river water to mid-valley golf courses to reduce the amount of groundwater they use, thus saving drinking water, said Steve Robbins, the district’s general manager-chief engineer. “That’s a big focus of our water conservation plan,” he said.

For the full text of the story, click here.

May 15, 2007 · Filed Under Colorado River Basin, General Water Issues

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Southern California - water conscious?

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 15, 2007 at 2:11 pm

Here’s an interesting article which appeared in the San Jose Mercury News:

Southland water agencies have invested millions in projects such as rubber dams to capture more water, and residents have largely done their part by installing low-flow toilets and shower heads, drought-resistant plants and efficient water sprinklers. Even Northern Californians are taking notice.

“In some ways, they’re leading the state in many of their conservation efforts,” said Toby Goddard, water conservation manager for the City of Santa Cruz Water Department. “I’ve seen a real turnaround.”

Indeed, the Los Angeles area is much less reliant on imported water than it used to be. In 1991, near the end of the last big statewide drought, Southern Californians got about two-thirds of their water from the Colorado River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Now, that figure is down to about half.

It isn’t just that Los Angeles water agencies are able to capture more of the local rainwater. Angelenos are also using less of it. Across six Southern California counties, per-capita water use dropped from about 220 gallons per day in 1990 to about 185 gallons per day in 2003, according to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. By comparison, Santa Clara County residents used 170 gallons per day in 1990 and 174 gallons in 2003, according to the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

For the full text of the article, click here.

This surprises the Aqua Blog Maven, whose neighbors don’t seem to understand how far the water has traveled to reach us, and continues to wonder why some people still water their lawn in the middle of the day!

May 15, 2007 · Filed Under Conservation

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Is Desalination the answer?

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 15, 2007 at 2:03 pm

Some people say yes!

In the North County Times, this writer sees desalination as an important part of San Diego’s future water supply:

Water reliability is not a new issue. In fact, it has proven to be one of the more politically charged and vexing issues throughout our state’s history. However, unlike scares in the past, our state is facing an unparalleled confluence of threats, from global warming to legal mandates and regulatory gridlock. For some, the question is not if California will have a full-blown water supply crisis, but when.

In an effort to avoid an economic and public health crisis, responsible government officials are turning their attention to the largest reservoir in the world —- the Pacific Ocean —- as one solution to California’s water needs. Proven desalination technology allows us to produce high quality water right where it is needed, at a comparable cost and without damaging environmentally sensitive habitats and watersheds such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Saltwater desalination has proven to be a tried-and-true means of quenching the world’s growing need for water. There are now more than 21,000 desalination plants producing 3 billion gallons of drinking water a day in 120 countries around the world. Now the time has come for California to catch up.

For the full text of the North County Times article, click here.

In Monterey, concerns for their water supply have turned attention to desalination as a possible answer:

Let’s stop trivializing our need for a reliable, drought-proof water supply. Let’s stop distracting the public from progress on the best prospect we have ever had to solving our water problem. We must support the Coastal Water Project as the only real option on the table.

For the full text of the article, click here.

Coming soon from Aquafornia: Aquafornia is preparing a brief on desalination, which will include some very interesting developments in this techonology.

May 15, 2007 · Filed Under Desalination

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