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    GrokSurf's San Diego by George J. Janczyn is produced under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. Anything on this blog copied and used elsewhere online must include attribution and a link to the original on this blog, or a citation with the URL if reprinted on hard copy.

     

     

Archive for the ‘News roundups’ Category

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San Diego regional water news roundup Feb 16-22, 2012

Posted by George J. Janczyn on February 23, 2012

A selected roundup of news related to the San Diego regional water supply system. Click headlines for the full story at originating website.

 


Lake Wohlford to get a new dam / U-T San Diego : “The lake sits about 900 feet above and a couple miles east of Escondido. If filled, it could hold more than 2 billion gallons of water held back by a dam that was built 112 years ago.”
San Elijo wins ‘Plant of the Year’ award for San Diego area / Encinitas Patch : “The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) recently awarded the San Elijo Water Reclamation Facility in Cardiff with the 2011 Plan of the Year title for the San Diego area. The plant will now advance in competition for a statewide award.”

Parties in QSA case questioning bias of appellate judge / Imperial Valley Press : “Protect Our Water and Environmental Rights filed a response last week in the Quantification Settlement Agreement case…The group claimed that because Presiding Judge Ronald B. Robie had served as the director of the state Department of Water Resources and conceived what the group said ultimately became the underlying structure of the QSA, he should have recused himself.”
Court reaffirms prior order granting discovery in Water Authority’s rate case against Metropolitan Water District of Southern California / San Diego County Water Authority : “San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard A. Kramer today reaffirmed his January 6 order granting discovery in the San Diego County Water Authority’s lawsuit challenging 2011 and 2012 water rates adopted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. In reaffirming his prior ruling, Judge Kramer rebuffed attempts by MWD to assert limits on discovery before the process has even commenced.”

Otay Water District adopts new division boundaries / La Prensa San Diego : “The Otay Water District’s (District) Board of Directors has adopted a resolution that re-apportions the District’s five divisions. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the District consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing water districts in San Diego County.”
Water rate hikes leave $630 million unused / U-T San Diego : “In 2007, the Public Utilities Department projected it would spend $585 million on water capital improvements by the close of fiscal 2011. In fact, the department spent $372 million on projects promised as a part of the rate increases. Documents show the department planned to spend an additional $648 million on wastewater projects through fiscal 2013, and has spent about $239 million on projects related to the rate increases.”

Water tunnels would be huge project — if they clear huge obstacles / Sacramento Bee : “The tunnel project is intended to move the intakes upstream, to locations presumed to be less harmful to fish and their habitat. It would also secure the freshwater diversions from threats such as earthquakes, floods and sea level rise, ensuring that the 25 million Californians who depend upon that water do not go without. To make it happen, all of those water ratepayers, from the Silicon Valley to San Diego, likely will have to pay higher bills.”
Public Utilities flush with cash but behind on projects / KPBS : “When San Diego city officials launched a series of utility-rate hikes in 2007, they expected to spend more than a billion dollars on projects to shore up aging water and sewer systems rife with leaks. But things have not gone as planned.”

Del Mar Council supports lawsuit against Metropolitan Water District / Del Mar Times : “The Del Mar City Council on Feb. 21 voted unanimously to support the San Diego County Water Authority’s (SDCWA) rate challenge lawsuit against the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD)…SDCWA claims the water district illegally overcharges San Diego County ratepayers tens of millions of dollars annually…”
Otay Water District uses Interactive Intelligence Unified IP Communications Solution to improve customer service / Virtual Strategy Magazine : ““CIC’s automated and self-service applications, such as ACD, IVR and in-queue callback, have enabled us to maintain a 98 percent answer rate, while actually reducing staff levels,” said Otay Water District’s customer service manager, Andrea Carey. “The Interactive Intelligence applications have enabled us to do things like send automated notifications to customers about late payments, high water usage, and changes to their accounts,” Carey said.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Feb 8-15, 2012

Posted by George J. Janczyn on February 16, 2012

( A selective roundup of San Diego regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

How would you like a $3,600 water bill? / U-T San Diego : “Residents of the Alvarado Estates subdivision above Mission Valley are protesting a sudden spike in their water bills in the last months of 2011 — in one case a 13-fold increase. Officials with the San Diego Public Utilities Department said the hikes can’t be explained by any of the typical reasons…”
San Diego considers raising water rates — again / KPBS : ““I would hate to say to the public this is a study to decide rate increase,” [PUD Director] Bailey said. “We want to know what will be the future costs and do we have a structure in place to cover those costs.””

As ‘yuck factor’ subsides, treated wastewater flows from taps / New York Times : “San Diego’s success, 12 years after its City Council recoiled from the toilet-to-tap concept, offers a blueprint for other districts considering wastewater reuse.”
Sewage spill closes Camp Del Mar Beach / Camp Pendleton Patch : “A sewage spill caused by a traffic collision sent 10,000 gallons into the Santa Margarita River Sunday morning, according San Diego County health officials. Officials estimated that 18,000 gallons of sewage spilled, and crews were able to recover 8,000 gallons.”

Water supply update / San Diego County Water Authority : “San Diego has been lucky to enjoy great weather this winter, with moderate rainfall. But dry conditions throughout the state could have an impact on our region’s water supply.”
San Diego avocado production challenged / Fresh Plaza : “Avocado groves used to be all over San Diego County hillsides and valleys. A drought brought mandatory water cutbacks a few years ago, forcing many farmers to get rid of 30-percent of their trees.”

New General Manager of Helix Water District recalls roots / La Mesa Patch : “When Carlos Lugo was chosen among five dozen candidates for general manager of the Helix Water District, he didn’t think of the history he made—becoming the first Latino chief of an agency that traces its origins to the 1880s.”
Taxpayers Association sides with Water Authority in lawsuit / San Diego Source : “The San Diego County Water Authority is suing the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Apparently when a virtually autonomous public agency feels wronged by another virtually autonomous public agency, the only recourse is the courts. The San Diego County Taxpayers Association’s staff did an in-depth analysis of data…chose to endorse the legal action.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Feb 1-7, 2012

Posted by George J. Janczyn on February 8, 2012

( A selective roundup of San Diego regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

SD company develops flood warning system / 10News.com : “In December 2010, most of Mission Valley – including Qualcomm Stadium – was flooded. The San Diego River flowed several feet over its banks. Jubach and a team of 10 scientists at the Hydrologic Research Center in Carmel Valley have developed a flash flood early warning detection system.”
Old wastewater treatment plant to be demolished / Carlsbad, CA Patch : “The City of Carlsbad is scrapping the Calavera Hills Wastewater Treatment Plant which was built in 1981 and never used.”

Imperial Irrigation District General Manager Kevin Kelley expands DuMars’ role / Imperial Valley Press : “IID General Manager Kevin Kelley announced Tuesday that he plans to amend environmental attorney Charles T. DuMars’ service to advise the Board of Directors on matters related to a backup plan should the Quantification Settlement Agreement fall through. The QSA is a set of agreements signed in 2003 that transferred IID-entitlement water to coastal areas in San Diego.”
Oceanside supports water lawsuit / U-T San Diego : “The Oceanside City Council voted Wednesday to show its support for San Diego County Water Authority’s ongoing lawsuit against the Metropolitan Water District. The agencies supply water for San Diego County, including Oceanside.”

‘Unusual’ wear on new tubes carrying radioactive water at Calif. nuclear plant raises concern / Washington Post : “The integrity of some equipment installed in 2009 at Southern California’s San Onofre Unit 2 nuclear plant is drawing concern after unusual wear was found on hundreds of tubes that carry radioactive water. The problems at Unit 2 were discovered during inspections of a steam generator, after the plant 45 miles north of San Diego was taken off-line for maintenance and refueling.”
California King Tides Initiative: San Diego’s sinking—let’s take pictures! / San Diego CityBeat : “CCA [California Coastkeeper Alliance] is one of several state and federal agencies, including the California Coastal Commission, that joined last winter to launch the California King Tides Initiative. The local effort is part of a growing campaign worldwide to create a photographic record of sea-level change.”

SAN MARCOS: Creek District would add habitat, build downtown / North County Times : “Permits released by San Marcos officials detail how the city will build a new downtown from scratch while restoring its creek to a natural state….the project will add 80 acres of wetland and other wildlife habitat, and restore the water quality and hydrology of the creek, now listed as “impaired” under the federal Clean Water Act.”
Water Talks: building and securing water reliability / San Diego County Water Authority : “On January 31, 2012, the Water Authority and co-host South County Economic Development Council, held a community forum to discuss emergency water supplies. Presenters included Board Chair Michael T. Hogan, Deputy General Manager Frank Belock and Operations and Maintenance Manager John Galleher.” [includes links to videos of each speaker]

Restoring Lake Jacumba / East County Magazine : “…a town support group called the Revitalization Alliance set about to rehabilitate and fill the lake, surrounding trails and park…the National, State and San Diego Audubon Society, State Fish and Game and The US Wildlife Service have heard about and are now promoting lake rehabilitation.”
Publicly funded dog training pond proposal: boondoggle or just ducky? / East County Magazine : “Hunting groups contend that the funds include habitat improvement and that creating the first water-training facility for hunting dogs in San Diego County is an appropriate use of monies…But residents near the site on the former Honey Springs Ranch in Jamul contend groundwater pumping could drain their wells.”

IID approves cost-sharing agreement for QSA mitigation change / Imperial Valley Press : “The cost-sharing agreement will allow the district to finalize an environmental review process required to change Salton Sea mitigation requirements. Though the cost-sharing agreement with San Diego County Water Authority vote was divided, the board passed it 3-2, splitting costs at $1.5 million for the IID and $900,000 for SDCWA.”
Rainbow Water announces opening for Division 1 Director Fallbrook Village News : “The Rainbow Municipal Water District is accepting applications from residents of Division 1 who are interested in being appointed to the district’s governing board. Division 1 is in the southern portion of the district, and incorporates the community of Bonsall.”

Liberty Quarry public hearing draws large crowd – some voice concern; some voice support / Fallbrook Village News : “The project zone would lie just north of the boundary separating Riverside and San Diego counties, east of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve and west of Temecula. Temecula City Councilman Ron Roberts said, “The mine will kill that mountain. The quarry will drain away the ground water and just suck the life out of vegetation…”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Jan 24-31, 2012

Posted by George J. Janczyn on January 31, 2012

( A selective roundup of San Diego regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

SD targets sewage spills with $12m plan / U-T San Diego : “More than four months after the regional blackout led to two massive sewage spills in San Diego, city wastewater officials are rolling out a roughly $12 million strategy to prevent a repeat.”
IID talks over cost-sharing agreement for Salton Sea environmental review; vote scheduled for next week / Imperial Valley Press : “The Imperial Irrigation District is taking a courageous step that the state and other water agencies aren’t willing to make for environmental mitigation at the Salton Sea, said Charles DuMars, an environmental attorney out of New Mexico. “This board is taking the lead with San Diego as a partner…”

Carlos Lugo, Helix Water District veteran engineer, named General Manager / Lemon Grove Patch : “Carlos Lugo of Poway, an employee for two decades of the Helix Water District, has been promoted to general manager of the East County agency, whose current annual budget is $67.4 million. He is the first Latino to head the water district, which dates to 1885, said Kate Breece, a district spokeswoman.”
REGION: Cities ask state to release lagoon report / North County Times : “Saying they’re concerned about the possible death of Buena Vista Lagoon, city leaders in Oceanside and Carlsbad are asking the state to release a key environmental document that could guide restoration efforts and put the lagoon in line for critical funding attached to the widening of Interstate 5.”

Water district engineering consultant fees increased by 67 percent / Ramona Patch : “A new engineer has been added to Ramona Municipal Water District (RMWD) through its consultant, Dudek & Associates, of Encinitas, increasing the annual fees to $300,000. That’s an increase of 67 percent, up from the previous not-to-exceed amount of $180,000.”
Draft Carlsbad desal agreement to be ready by spring, says Water Authority / North County Times : “The San Diego County Water Authority said Thursday it expects to release this spring a final draft agreement to buy desalinated water from Poseidon Resources Corp. Member water agencies and the public would have 60 days to review the draft agreement…”

New certificate program focuses on water-related occupations / San Diego State University : “SDSU’s College of Extended Studies has jumped to the forefront by providing the groundwork for a water industry career through its new Professional Certificate in Water Management and Landscape Sustainability program that was launched during the spring semester.”
Padre Dam board appoints 2012 officers / East County Magazine : “The Board of Directors of Padre Dam Municipal Water District appointed officers for 2012. The Board unanimously reappointed Bill Pommering as president, Augie Caires as vice president, and Doug Wilson as treasurer. Committee members were also appointed for 2012.”

San Diego Coastkeeper hosts 5th annual Walk the Watershed on March 31 / Mission Times Courier : “On March 31 from 8:30 a.m. – noon, San Diego Coastkeeper combines education and fun, while hosting its 5th Annual Walk the Watershed event at Otay Valley Regional Park. The free event will engage participants and students with fun activities to restore our watersheds and understand how inland pollution affects our ocean.”
Cameras to monitor impacts of sand-replenishment work / U-T San Diego : “San Diego Surfrider is deploying high-tech tools to look for altered waves along the county’s coastline linked to a $23 million beach sand-replenishment project.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Jan 17-23, 2012

Posted by George J. Janczyn on January 24, 2012

( A selective roundup of San Diego regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

Water plant land deal misses deadline / U-T San Diego : “A partner in the group proposing a desalination plant in Mexico that the Otay Water District hopes will supply a majority of its future water needs is having trouble securing the land to build the plant.”
San Diego County area groundwater quality assessed in new report /
USGS California Water Science Center : “High concentrations of natural and man-made compounds were found in aquifers used for drinking supply in Temecula Valley, Warner Valley, and 12 other groundwater basins in San Diego County. Scientists determined that concentrations of these substances in untreated groundwater are above regulatory and nonregulatory health standards for drinking water.”

Where toilet-to-tap fears circle the drain / U-T San Diego : “The end product is similar in quality to distilled water, and the ultimate goal is to send this water to the San Vincente Reservoir, where it would be mixed with our regular water supply and treated again before ending up in our taps.”
Solana Beach irrigation district supports water authority’s lawsuit against Metropolitan Water District / Del Mar Times : “Santa Fe Irrigation District directors voted Thursday, Jan. 19, to support a lawsuit against the agency that supplies water to millions of Southern California residents, contending the water wholesaler’s pricing structure is unfair to San Diego County.”

Boil water order issued For Mt. Laguna region / KPBS : “Bacteria was detected in the water supply of the Mount Laguna Recreation Area plumbing system, prompting the county of San Diego to issue an order to boil the water until further notice.”
FORUM: Water shortage —- here we go again, maybe / North County Times : “Even though last year was plentiful and record setting in terms of snow pack, rainfall and filling previously parched reservoirs, water officials are now, “cautious,” “concerned,” and “wary” about what 2012 might bring.”

Water districts eye Salton Sea mitigation cost-sharing / Imperial Valley Press : “The Imperial Irrigation District is scheduled to vote on a cost-sharing agreement with San Diego County Water Authority to decide how the two agencies will split costs for environmental reviews of reducing mitigation water to the sea.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Jan 9-16, 2012

Posted by George J. Janczyn on January 17, 2012

( A selective roundup of San Diego regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

District to explore uses for Lake Ramona / Ramona Sentinal : “Nearly 24 years after the dedication of Lake Ramona, the Ramona Municipal Water District will explore possible uses for the body of water that Director Everett “Red” Hager called a “white elephant.””
Water authority signs 55-year habitat plan / U-T San Diego : “San Diego County Water Authority leaders have agreed with state and federal agencies on a 55-year plan to conserve open space while allowing for continued construction of water-supply infrastructure.”

Salton Sea Restoration Council to be cut? / The Desert Sun : “The state council charged with reviving the Salton Sea Recreational Area may be eliminated to save the state $9.2 billion.”
City’s youth contests encourage long-term “Wise Water-Use” ethic / Scoop San Diego : “Students are filming, drawing and designing their way to enter three contests now underway that focus on using water wisely and creating a more sustainable community. The contests attracting these artistic talents are the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department’s Water Conservation Poster Contest and Film Contest, and UCSD’s Hydration Station Design Competition contest.”

Imperial Irrigation District looks at new Salton Sea environmental mitigation plan / Imperial Valley Press : “Throughout the coming months, the Imperial Irrigation District will prepare a new plan for Salton Sea mitigation should the district be able to sell more water to cover project costs. District staff will get back to the board, possibly as soon as next week with a cost-sharing analysis with San Diego County Water Authority to cover those costs…”
Water wholesaler sets hearing for proposed rate increase / Press Enterprise : “Water rates could increase over the next couple years under a proposal by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the wholesaler that supplies most Inland water agencies. Metropolitan is considering a price hike of 7.5 percent in 2013 and 5 percent in 2014.”

Coastal water pollution prevention treatment controls / UCSD Blink : “The La Jolla Shores marine environment has been designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as an Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) and Critical Coastal Area (CCA). To protect the ASBS, UC San Diego partnered with the City of San Diego, San Diego Coastkeeper, and the State Water Resources Control Board to develop and implement the La Jolla Shores Coastal Watershed Management program to reduce or prevent pollutants associated with urban run-off from going into the ocean.”
County of Imperial to continue legal challenge to water transfer / Imperial Valley Press : “Imperial County will appeal to the state Supreme Court to review a state court of appeal’s decision validating the quantification settlement agreement and seek to be “the party that decides whether the water transfers produce an unreasonable economic or environmental impact,” according to a press statement.”

Adding up the water deficit / LA Times : “Southern Californians are used to turning on the tap, or the sprinklers, and getting the water they want. Their ability to do so depends, in large part, on the Colorado River and the reservoir it feeds, Lake Mead. In 2008, Tim Barnett and David Pierce, scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, wrote that the lake — a lifeline not just for Southern California but for much of the desert Southwest — would soon teeter at the brink of failure.”
IID granted discovery in MWD/SDCWA lawsuit / Imperial Valley Press : “The Imperial Irrigation District has entered the fray to fight over rates between San Diego and Los Angeles in order to keep its water transfer process and time frame going. Now a court in San Francisco will allow the local water agency’s lawyers to look closer at what makes up the Los Angeles utility group’s rate to San Diego and see whether all line items are legal.”

Managing water: careers, legislation, & new trends / SDSU College of Extended Studies : “On January 6, San Diego State University College of Extended Studies held their 4th Annual Green Event focusing on the issues of water, water careers, and water management in San Diego County.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Jan 1-8, 2012

Posted by George J. Janczyn on January 8, 2012

( A selective roundup of San Diego regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

‘Disappearing’ park in need of erosion control / U-T San Diego : “Across Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, fast-flowing water has carved chasms in the iconic seaside spot so that one prominent website recently named it one of the nation’s top five “disappearing places.””
Court upholds some pre-trial claims by Metropolitan Water / San Diego Source : “The hearing is scheduled to continue Friday at 2 p.m., when the court is expected to consider Imperial Irrigation District’s motion to obtain discovery relating to the original action challenging the rates and Metropolitan’s motion to bifurcate the initial rate challenge from the remaining causes of action.”

Split decision in water rate case / UT San Diego : “Both San Diego County and Metropolitan Water District officials claimed elements of victory after a court hearing Wednesday in their high-stakes case over Southern California water rates.”
Sewer and development / Ramona Sentinal : “Ramona Municipal Water District’s sewer District’s sewer (Santa Maria plant) is currently operating at 110 percent of its rated capacity. This caused a sewer “spill” incident in December 2010 putting Santa Maria Creek in dangerous peril. So how are developments being proposed and passed in Ramona where additional sewage will be generated?”

MWD Rate Challenge / San Diego County Water Authority : “On January 4, 2012, San Francisco Judge Richard A. Kramer ruled that three of the Water Authority’s additional causes of action will be heard as part of its lawsuit challenging the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s 2011 and 2012 water rates.”
City staff’s response was key in containing recent sewage spill / Encinitas Patch : ““The failure occurred close to an open swale on Manchester Avenue, into which an estimated 677,600 gallons of sewage spilled,” he said. “We knew we had only about 45 minutes to manage the incident before the leak began flooding out to the lagoon…”

Is Southern California Finally Getting Serious About Its Water Crisis? / Time : “authorities are once again saying the time has come for a change. They say they’re going to follow through. Should we believe them? Maybe. Simply because Southern California may no longer have a choice but to stop its lavish ways.”
Water Talks: Building and Securing Water Reliability / San Diego County Water Authority : “The Water Authority and the South County EDC will host a community forum on January 31 about the region’s plans for water in an emergency situation and how we maintain our pipelines daily. Find out more about the event and how to RSVP here.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Dec 23-31, 2011

Posted by George J. Janczyn on December 31, 2011

( A selective roundup of regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

Imperial Irrigation District officials wary of Salton Sea water deal / The Desert Sun : “IID is supposed to send water to San Diego County that it frees up through conservation measures. But whether IID is required to continue the water transfers even if its conservation efforts are ineffective or become unaffordable is in question.”
Ramona Water Board hears appeal from customer /
Ramona Patch : “A property owner appealed to the governing board of the Ramona Municipal Water District for help with an outstanding bill. But, as those who have gone before the board at previous meetings, the directors voted to accept staff’s recommendation not to forgive outstanding debts.”

Webinar on water purification by ion exchange / World Trade Center San Diego : “WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego is hosting a FREE webinar on Water Purification by Ion Exchange technology 10 Jan 2012, 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM. Presenter: Francis J. DeSilva. Frank has a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science Technology from Florida Institute of Technology.”
New design for wind turbines debuts in San Diego / San Diego Reader : “When activated, it’s expected to produce about two kilowatts of power when operating at peak potential, and will power a nearby sewage pump station for the City of San Diego.”

Help us preserve and enhance the Colorado River / The Denver Post : “The skier at Vail, the programmer in Phoenix, the doctor in Las Vegas, the student in San Diego, and the rancher in Wyoming may not know it, but they are bound together by the Colorado River, its tributaries, and the intricate systems of dams and reservoirs that manage its water supply. Often called the lifeblood of the West, the Colorado River grows our crops, bathes our kids, electrifies our grid, quenches our thirst, and quite literally floats our boats in seven states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.”
CARLSBAD: Desal project vote likely for June / North County Times : “Poseidon Resources Corp. now expects its proposed desalination project to cost about $750 million and a completed contract to be ready for public review in April 2012, company executives said this week.”

Church sustains damage after water main break / KGTV : “A water main break left 30 customers in Golden Hill without working plumbing Monday. Offices At Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana Flooded.”
Second rupture delays Clairemont main break repair / KFMB-AM : “Crews working to repair a water main rupture that caused a sinkhole in Clairemont Tuesday discovered another leak, which caused water service to about 30 customers to be shut off again shortly after it was initially restored.”

Emery: Poway’s varied past / Pomerado News : “Lavene Powell, a longtime employee of the Poway Municipal Water District and a historical contributor in her own right, wrote to let me know of the death of Jim Stanton, a member of the water board from 1967 to 1981. Recalling Jim reminded me of the men who brought water to Poway in 1954 and created PMWD to distribute the water and manage the district’s infrastructure. Men like Harry Frame, Dave Shepardson, Harry Tassel, Rubin Tannenbaum and John Kent foresaw that Poway would never be a viable community without a reliable source of water…”
Water pipe ruptures In Rolando Area / KGTV : “The 8-inch cast-iron pipe broke about 10:25 a.m. in the 6400 block of Celia Vista Drive, near Rolando Boulevard…corrosion to the more than 50-year-old pipe was to blame for the break.”

Sewage spill at San Elijo Lagoon closes nearby beaches / North County Times : “Beaches surrounding the San Elijo Lagoon have been closed after reports of a sewage spill. An estimated 1,500 gallons of sewage spilled from a pump station on Manchester Avenue at Via Poco into the lagoon.”
ENCINITAS: Water district receives $17.8 million loan / North County Times : “The state Department of Public Health has given the Olivenhain Municipal Water District a $17.8 million loan to help finance its overhaul of the David C. McCollom Water Treatment Plant, district officials announced.”

DeMaio skipped discussion he now wants / Voice of San Diego : [Calling for a meeting Re. water problems] Carl DeMaio said “As elected leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that taxpayers and ratepayers receive the level of customer service that they deserve.” DeMaio, a committee member, might have known about the discussion had he been there. A video recording shows DeMaio chatting with colleague Lorie Zapf, and then packing up his laptop and walking out just as Alvarez was introducing the topic. You can see DeMaio in the upper left corner around the 1 hour, 13 minute mark of the tape. The discussion on the billing problems lasted 45 minutes.”
IID bills will be slightly lower in 2012 / The Desert Sun : “The district is moving to a fund accounting system that segregates funds into categories in a way that better identifies their source and how they’re used. That will be particularly relevant for separating money related to a large-scale water transfer from IID to San Diego County from the rest of water funds, IID board member John Pierre Menvielle said.”

Where’s the Sierra snow? / SignOnSanDiego : ““Boy, this is certainly not the start of the water year we were hoping for,” said Bob Yamada, a resources manager for the San Diego County Water Authority. “From a water supply perspective, you don’t ever want to see dry years. But if they come, the best time to come is a year after a year like last year.””
NewSchool of Architecture and Design students develop solutions for addressing water runoff issues in San Diego Community /
Archinect : “NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) students developed proposals outlining how Low Impact Development (LID) practices can reduce polluted storm water runoff within San Diego’s Ocean Beach community. Low Impact Development is a land planning and engineering design approach used to maintain and enhance the pre-development water flow in urban and developing watersheds. The challenge faced by urban areas and communities such as Ocean Beach is that impervious surfaces such as roofs, streets and parking lots prevent storm water from seeping into the soil. Runoff water carries urban pollutants downstream, and can lead to flooding issues.”

Otay water contracts tied to board chairman / SignOnSanDiego : “The general manager of the Otay Water District approved more than $200,000 in no-bid contracts this year to associates of the board’s chairman, Jaime Bonilla. [Normally] Otay allows General Manager Mark Watton to award contracts up to $50,000 without board approval.”
Helix Water District Chief Is Staying on Through Jan. 31—or Perhaps Later /
La Mesa Patch : “More than 60 people have applied for the job of Helix Water District general manager, hoping to succeed Mark Weston after a decade, the agency says. But Weston won’t retire Friday as first reported. Mark Weston is staying until Jan. 31, and then the board will determine if we rotate through upper management for acting GM, or if Mark will be requested to contract for another month.”

RMWD weighted vote drops slightly at water authority / Ramona Sentinal : “Member votes are based on the total financial contribution from each agency. The contribution total includes all taxes, assessments, fees and charges paid to or on behalf of the CWA”
Hearing to be held in SD County Water Authority rate case against Metropolitan Water / San Diego Source : “More than a year from its original filing in June 2010, the lawsuit brought against Metropolitan Water District of Southern California by the San Diego County Water Authority still has yet to enter the trial phase. But Jan. 4, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer may make a decision that could determine how much more time may pass before the case is resolved.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Dec 11-22, 2011

Posted by George J. Janczyn on December 23, 2011

( A selective roundup of regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

Water district may join fight over proposed solar fee / Ramona Sentinal : “With two solar projects in the works, the Ramona Municipal Water District is going to consider if it wants to join a coalition of public agencies fighting San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposal to charge fees to solar customers.”
Chula Vista to fund $70K sewer study /
SignOnSanDiego : “City leaders agreed Tuesday to award a $71,549 contract to Financial Consulting Solutions Group, Inc. for the consulting firm to study and recommend new sewer rates for another five years.”

Padre Dam Board Member Doug Wilson Appointed to Metropolitan Water District Board / Santee Patch : “Padre Dam Board Member Doug Wilson has been appointed by the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors to serve as one of its four representatives on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board. Wilson was sworn in as a Metropolitan Board Member on Monday, December 12, 2011″
Councilman wants public hearing on water billing problems / Investigative Newsource : “San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio on Tuesday called for a public meeting to discuss the new $24 million water billing system, which has been plagued with problems and has prompted thousands of calls from frustrated customers.”

Group Says San Diego County Water Quality ‘Fair’ / KPBS : “Coastkeeper’s 2011 Water Quality Monitoring data show minimal improvements of the water conditions throughout San Diego County compared with 2010 data.”
Coastkeeper: river, creek water quality improved / 10News : “San Diego Coastkeeper says the quality of water in San Diego’s rivers and creeks improved slightly this year over 2010 and remained in fair condition overall.”

QSA ‘Plan B’ preliminary report brings more questions than answers / Imperial Valley Press : “Environmental attorney Charles T. DuMars outlined what would be needed from a restructured Quantification Settlement Agreement to a crowd of more than 100 people at Tuesday’s Imperial Irrigation District meeting. However, his discussion left questions answered for some in the audience.”
ESCONDIDO: City endorses plan to convert sewage into drinking water / North County Times : “
Escondido’s City Council endorsed a plan last week that would transorm the city’s sewer water into clean drinking water.”

Water billing problems persist / SignOnSanDiego : “San Diego’s Public Utilities Department is hiring a dozen temporary customer service representatives, adding dozens of phone lines, establishing 25 walk-in payment centers and installing a pay-by-phone with credit card option in hopes of providing relief to water customers frustrated with its new billing system.”
Chula Vista to fund $70K sewer study / SignOnSandiego : “City leaders agreed Tuesday to award a $71,549 contract to Financial Consulting Solutions Group, Inc. for the consulting firm to study and recommend new sewer rates for another five years.”

 

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San Diego regional water news roundup Nov 24-Dec 10, 2011

Posted by George J. Janczyn on December 10, 2011

( A selective roundup of regional water news reports. Click headline to read full story at originating website.)

Urban ‘cesspool’ turns to showpiece over decades / SignOnSanDiego : “Pollution regulators are grappling with how much sediment to dredge from San Diego Bay as part of a decades-old effort to make its waters safe for fish and people.”
Imperial Irrigation District waits on Quantification Settlement Agreement decision, though changes are needed / Imperial Valley Press : “The district is awaiting a decision from the California 3rd District Appellate Court based in Sacramento on the Quantification Settlement Agreement lawsuit, which has been in court for years. A panel of three judges heard the case Monday, and a decision is expected within 90 days.”

What Went Wrong at the International Wastewater Treatment Plant / Imperial Beach Patch : “A variety of problems kept the secondary treatment plant which opened a year ago from meeting Clean Water Standards. The plant’s ability to to compy is scheduled to be reviewed in February 1212″/em>
Irrigation Association Announces 2011 Awards / Green Industry Pros : “The Irrigation Association presented its annual awards at the 2011 Irrigation Show’s General Session on November 7 in San Diego, CA. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their efforts to advance irrigation practices, technologies and the industry overall.”

SD storm water plans face new hurdle / SignOnSanDiego : “San Diego’s freshly minted storm water system maintenance plans have been appealed to the California Coastal Commission, where staff have found what they describe as substantial issues with the city’s centerpiece strategy for keeping channels clear.”
Border fence designed to stop water-crossers / CNN : “U.S. authorities are replacing a border fence that stretches into the Pacific Ocean after having zeroed in on weaknesses of the barrier.In recent years, the need for a replacement fence arose as migrants attempted to walk around it during low tide or avoided it by boat.”

New Finance Manager for Ramona’s Water District / Ramona Patch /span> : “A new finance manager will start at Ramona Municipal Water District on Monday. He’s Richard Hannasch, former chief financial and administrative officer of North County Transit District (NCTD).”
City: We Want Generators to Prevent Sewage Spills
Voice of San Diego : “When the Sept. 8 blackout hit San Diego, it left millions without power and sent millions of gallons of sewage into the ocean. Two key sewage facilities failed because they didn’t have backup generators.”

Boulevard diner under “boil water order” / : “The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health issued the order for the restaurant on Old Highway 80 after tests of the drinking water system identified the presence of total coliform bacteria”
Morning Report: Water Board’s Secrecy / Voice of San Diego : “California’s open-government law requires that public agencies hold their board meetings in public, although there’s a loophole that allows subcommittees to meet privately. The Otay Water District, which serves much of the South Bay, has rammed its way through the loophole in a bid for secrecy and run afoul of the law.”

Court considers Colorado River water agreement / California Farm Bureau Federation : “The QSA compact includes 13 separate contracts, including California’s pledge to live within its 4.4 million acre-foot right to Colorado River water and the Imperial Irrigation District agreement to transfer 200,000 acre-feet of farm water to the San Diego County Water Authority for urban uses.”
Otay still believes in Rosarito water project / SignOnSanDiego : “The Otay Water District’s general manager said the water district is still committed to a proposed desalination plant in Mexico, even if the current partnership steering the project falls apart.”

Tunnel cost increase was overstated / SignOnSandiego : “A story posted on Oct. 29 compared a series of cost figures for the San Diego County Water Authority’s San Vicente tunnel and pipeline system in a misleading way, making the increase in cost seem significantly larger than it was.”
San Dieguito Water District / <span style="color:#800000;">San Dieguito Water District : The San Dieguito Water District provides potable (drinking) and recycled water to over 38,000 citizens in the communities of Leucadia, Old Encinitas, Cardiff and portions of New Encinitas. The remainder of the City is served by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. The San Dieguito Water District is a subsidiary district of the City of Encinitas. The City Council also serves as the Board of Directors of the District.”

Morena and Wohlford lakes stocked and ready / SignOnSanDiego : “They are a bit of a drive from San Diego, but Morena and Wohlford lakes are worth it this time of year to hit the last county lakes stocked with trout.”
Water Tank at Mt. Woodson Leaking Since 2008; Backup Power Study for Poway Pump Station / Romona Patch : “The water storage tank in the Mount Woodson area has been leaking since Ramona Municipal Water District (RMWD) first acquired it in 2008 and the board of directors wants to speed up the process for getting it fixed.”

State appellate court rules QSA valid; case to head back to trial / Imperal Valley Press : “The nation’s largest agriculture-to-urban water transfer is a valid agreement, ruled a panel of Sacramento-area judges on Wednesday. However, a final outcome is still a ways off as the Quantification Settlement Agreement was ordered back to the Sacramento Superior Court for a decision on the environmental issues surrounding the case.”
IN RE QUANTIFICATION SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT CASES / Legal Eagle : [comprehensive documentation of the case]

Carlsbad desalination project cost keeps rising / North County Times : “How much will the Carlsbad desalination project by Poseidon Resources cost? It could be close to a billion dollars, a number that can be inferred by the company’s latest request to sell tax-exempt bonds through the state.”

 

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