Pacific Progressive

Water Rebate Programs Starting Up Again - Sept 21

Two water rebate programs will be starting up again on September 21, 2009. 

SoCal Water$mart is for residential water customers.  People who live in houses are eligible.  You are also eligible if your apartment, townhome, condominium or mobile home complex has four or fewer dwellings and is not represented by a home owners association.

High efficiency clothes washers, high efficiency toilets, weather based irrigation controllers (smart controllers), rotating irrigation nozzles, and synthetic turf are eligible for rebates under this program. A list of qualifying models and products is on the website.  

Rebates are limited and are first come, first served.  Purchases must be made on or after September 21, 2009 to be eligible for this round of rebates.  The rebates are offered thru the Metropolitan Water District. If your local water agency is not a member or has chosen to not participate, you may not be eligible for the rebate program.  Check the website for all of the details.

Save A Buck is back for commercial users.  This program includes commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family water customers.  If your apartment, townhome, condominium, or mobile home complex has five or more units and is represented by a home owners association, this is your program.  

Commercial high efficiency toilets, waterless urinals, commercial and multi-family high efficiency washing machines, connectionless food steamers, air-cooled ice machines, pre-rinse spray valves, pressurized waterbrooms, weather based irrigation controllers, and rotating spray nozzles are some of the products which qualify for rebates.

Each type of user has a separate application and qualifying standards. See the Save A Buck website for all of the details.  Rebates are limited and are first come, first served. Save A Buck is being offered thru the Metropolitan Water District.

Fixing the Delta with Five Bills

“Our first priority when we return in August is to restore the draconian cuts to Health and Human Services.  Our second priority will be to take the next major steps on fashioning a set of solutions to our state’s water challenges: fixing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; establishing enforceable water conservation standards; better managing our groundwater and surface water supplies; providing funding for those new investments needed to bring the state’s water system into the 21st century,”  Caifornia Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said.  

Both the State Senate and Assembly are working towards finding a long term solution for the Sacramento River Delta.  Twenty five million Californians (two thirds of the state's population) rely on the Sacramento River Delta for the water they need for their lives and businesses.  

A set of five bills has been offered to bring solutions to the problems with the Delta.  The Delta area faces ecological problems with endangered species, problems with levees which may break and cause flooding, possible ocean saltwater intrusion of the Delta after an earthquake which renders the now salt water Delta unusable for drinking water, and other infrastructure issues.

The five bills being considered are:

AB 39 (Huffman) - Delta Plan

AB 49 (Feuer-Huffman) - Water Efficiency

SB 12 (Simitian) - Delta Stewardship Council

SB 229 (Paveley) - Delta Interim Actions, Water Rights, Groundwater

SB 458 (Wolk) - Delta Conservancy, Delta Protection Commission Revisions

Update on California Drought Conditions

California's Department of Water Resources issues monthly updates on California's water supply.  Here are some key facts from the July 2009 report.

•  Statewide precipitation for water year 2008-09 (October 2008 - September 2009) is 17.26 inches compared an average of 21.94 inches.
• Statewide reservoir storage of 83% of average for date, as of end of June 2009.

Storage levels in reservoirs are down.

•  Shasta Reservoir at 52% of capacity, averages 71% of capacity
• Trinity Lake at 48% of capacity, averages 58% of capacity
• Lake Oroville at 45% of capacity, averages 60% of capacity
• Folsom Lake at 65% of capacity averages 87% of capacity
• Don Pedro Reservoir at 81% of capacity, averages 106% of capacity
• Exchequer Reservoir at 58% of capacity, averages 85% of capacity
• Pine Flat Reservoir at 38% of capacity, averages 69% of capacity
• Castaic Lake at 74% of capacity, averages 69% of capacity
• Pyramid Lake at 97% of capacity, averages 103% of capacity
• Millerton Lake at 87% of capacity, averages 132% of capacity
• New Melones at 51% of capacity, averages 84% of capacity
• San Luis Reservoir at 18% of capacity, averages 35% of capacity - San Luis Reservoir stores water which has been transferred thru the Sacramento River Delta for the State and federal water projects.

In the Central Valley, groundwater pumping has increased

California Water Crisis Hearing - August 21 in Fountain Valley

Jose Solorio chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Regional Approaches to Addressing the State's Water Crisis.  On Friday, August 21, 2009, the committee will hold a hearing at the headquarters of the Orange County Water District/Metropolitan Water District of Orange County (OCWD and MWDOC) from 9 AM to 1 PM.  The headquarters are located at 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.

The agenda includes smart irrigation systems, approaches to tiered rates and water report cards, how to sell conservation, groundwater replenishment systems, seawater desalination, options for near and long-term water sustainability, and building water consciousness in the business community.  An update on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will also be presented.

If you want to attend, you must reserve a seat.  Call Kim Nguyen at 916-319-2069 or email at kim.nguyen(at)asm.ca.gov to reserve a seat.

El Toro Water District Fast Facts

El Toro Water District (ETWD) 

www.etwd.com

234251 Los Alisos Blvd

Lake Forest, CA 92630

949-837-7050

El Toro Water District serves parts of south Orange County.  The district operates as both a water and sanitation district. The district pumps groundwater and buys water from wholesalers. The average annual budget is $22 million.

Service Area

Parts of Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo

Meetings

• Thursday July 23 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
• Thursday August 6 - Community Advisory Committee - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday August 25 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday August 27 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday September 22 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
• Thursday September 24 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday October 20 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday October 22 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday November 5 - Community Advisory Committee - 11:30 AM
  
• Monday November 23 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Tuesday November 24 - Board Meeting - 7:30AM
  
• Tuesday, December 15 - Engineering, Finance and Insurance - 7:30 AM
  
• Thursday December 17 - Board Meeting - 7:30 AM

Board of Directors

Ted F. Martin, President

M. Scott Goldman, Vice President

John S. Dudley, Treasurer

William H. Kahn

Jerard B. Werner

Facilities Operated

•  6 reservoirs including the covered El Toro Reservoir
• Over 130 miles of water lines and 8 booster stations with 13 pressure zones
  
• 1900 fire hydrants
  
• 10,000 water service connections
  
• Emergency connections with other districts - Los Alisos, Trabuco Canyon, Moulton Niguel, Laguna Beach County, Santa Margarita and Irvine Ranch Water Districts
  
• Operate a wastewater treatment plant
  
• 142 miles of pipelines for sanitation purposes
  

 

Central Valley Groundwater Levels Dropping

A recent study by the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows that the aquifer under California's Central Valley is changing.  The over 400 mile long Central Valley is home to California's agriculture industry.  Under the valley is the nation's largest groundwater basin which contains one-fifth (20%) of all the groundwater pumped in the nation.  

Several sources of data were used for the study:  water well driller logs going back to the early 1900''s, ground water data from 1962 to 2003 and surface water data from 1962 to 2003. 

The USGS study shows the strains California's growing population is putting on the underground aquifer:

•  Groundwater levels are declining in the Tulare Basin portion of the  southern San Joaquin Valley.  More water is being pumped out than is being put into the basin.  The geology of the southern San Joaquin valley, coarse-grained soils and alluvial-fan sediments, make the basin a potential candidate for becoming a groundwater recharge basin.
• Groundwater levels in the Sacramento Valley and the northern portion of the San Joaquin Valley are generally stable.
• Drilling for water, which is driven by the continuing below-average precipitation, is causing groundwater levels to drop.  

As part of the study, the USGS has developed an enhanced computer model, the Central Valley Hydrological Model,  of water flows below ground. The model shows how water flows under ground, in the groundwater basins, and how the flows connect with rivers and other bodies of water on the surface. The Central Valley Hydrological Model provides a new scientific tool to track changes in surface and groundwater availability and make more informed water management decisions.

Why We Have No Water - Timeline of the Current California Drought

A timeline showing milestones in the current California drought is posted by the Department of Water Resources.  The drought timeline starts with the latest Delta Smelt ruling.  The increase in development, population, number of golf courses or other large uses of water are not mentioned.  Does anyone know of a city or county which has ever used a lack of available water as a reason to restrict or reduce development?

March 2007 - Snowpack at 70% of average.

December 2007 - Federal Judge Oliver Wanger issues pumping restrictions to protect Delta Smelt.

May 2008 - Snowpack at 65% of average.

December 2008 - US Fish and Wildlife Service ruling to protect Delta Smelt by curtailing pumping.

March 2009 - Snowpack at 80% of average.

 

Municipal Water District of Orange County Fast Facts

Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)

www.mwdoc.com

18700 Ward St

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

714-963-3058

This agency buys water, resells and wholesales water to 28 districts/retail water agencies, and represents the interests of 28 districts/retail water districts to the Metropolitan Water District.  MWDOC is building a test ocean desalination facility in Dana Point.  The district had a $128 million budget for FY 2008-09.

Service Area - Orange County.

Meetings

Meetings are at generally 8:30 AM at MWDOC headquarters, 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA.

Meetings for remainder of 2009:

• Monday August 3 - 3:30 PM - Planning and Operations Committee
• Wednesday August 5 - 7:30 AM - Workshop Board Meeting
• Wednesday August 12 - 8:30 AM - Administration and Finance Meeting
• Friday August 14 - 8:30 AM - Public Affairs and Legislation
• Wednesday August 19 - 8:30 AM - Board Meeting
• Thursday August 20 -8:30 AM -  Executive Committee
• Wednesday August 26 - 8:30 AM - MWDOC/OCWD Joint Planning Committee 

Meetings past August are not listed at this time.

Metropolitan Water District Fast Facts

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

www.mwdh2o.com

700 N Alameda St

Los Angeles, CA 90012-2944

213-217-6000

This agency is a water distributor/reseller/wholesaler.  The Metropolitan Water District buys the water and distributes the water to 26 member angencies. The 26 member agencies sell the water to 300 subagencies (local water companies) or directly to consumers.  The FY 2007-08 budget was about $1.98 billion.

Service Area:  About 5200 square miles in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties.

Meetings:  Start at 8:00 or 8:30 AM.  Meetings are at Metropolitan Water District Headquarters, 700 North Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA.  

Meeting dates for 2009:  

• Tuesday July 28
• Tuesday August 25
• Tuesday September 22
• Monday October 12
• Tuesday October 13
• Tuesday October 27
• Monday November 9
• Tuesday November 10
• Tuesday November 24
• Monday December 7
• Tuesday December 8

15 Water Agencies and Districts Make Decisions for Orange County

There are 15 water agencies and districts which impact daily life in Orange County. The local water districts either distribute water directly to end users (consumers and businesses) or sell the water to other local water companies which push it thru the pipe to come out the taps in your house.  

 

Here's the list!

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

www.mwdh2o.com

700 N Alameda St

Los Angeles, CA 90012-2944

213-217-6000

Municipal Water District of Orange County MWDOC

www.mwdoc.com

18700 Ward St

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

714-963-3058

Orange County Water District OCWD

www.ocwd.com

18700 Ward St

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

714-378-3200

East Orange County Water District

www.eocwd.com

185 N McPherson Rd

Orange, CA 92869-3720

714-538-5815

20x2020 Water Conservation Plan - What is It?

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta supplies a significant part of California's water. Recent environmental issues in the Delta (habitat protection, endangered species, problems with levees) have caused state government officials to look at comprehensive solutions to fix the area.  One element of fixing the problems in the Delta includes water conservation.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has outlined the 20x2020 plan  http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/hot_topics/20x2020/index.shtml to reduce per capita water use in urban areas by 20% by 2020.   Note that the target is a 20% reduction in per capita (per person) water use, not overall water use. The plan is designed to allow population growth while cutting the amount of water each person is supposed to use.  

10 Regions

Under the plan, the state is divided into 10 hydrological regions.  The 10 regions are:  North Coast, San Francisco Bay, Central Coast, South Coast, Sacramento River, San Joaquin, Tulare Lake, North Lahontan, South Lahontan and Colorado River.  Orange County is in Region 4, South Coast.  The regions are delineated by water flow patterns and geographic features such as mountain ranges. 

What the Plan is and is Not

• Only urban water use and conservation is addressed.  Agricultural use is not addressed in this plan.
• Only drinkable (potable) water is addressed.  Water recycling, such as Orange County's groundwater basin recharging plan, is not addressed.
• Water which is supplied by customers for their own use is not addressed.
• Only per capita use, not total regional or state use, is addressed.  

John Garamendi Talks About Sacramento Delta Water Issues

Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, who lives and farms in the Sacramento River Delta, addressed about 250 Delta residents, farmers, and elected officials at a July 7 Sacramento rally.  The rally was to draw attention to the plan for the peripheral canal. 

The peripheral canal http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=810  is a long waiting plan to build a canal, which skirts the Delta, to bring water to the remainder of California without requiring pumping from ecologically sensitive areas of the Delta.  Supporters of the peripheral canal say the canal help the endangered habitats and animals of the Delta by allowing them to be less disturbed by pumping and manage flooding.  Currently, the Sacramento River floods are contained by a system of privately built levees.  Opponents of the peripheral canal say the canal will not protect habitat but could increase the backflow of seawater into the freshwater delta, and is a huge public works undertaking which requires massive amounts of funding and private land to be condemned to build the canal.    

"Any discussion of a peripheral canal must follow a solid guarantee that protects the Delta economy and the terrestrial and aquatic environment of the Delta.  The voice of the Delta must be embedded in any proposal to establish a system of governance in the Delta," said Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, a Delta resident.

20x2020 Water Conservation Bills Advancing

Two bills, SB 261 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0251-0300/sb_261_bill_20090629_amended_asm_v94.pdf  and AB 49 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/ab_49_bill_20090709_amended_sen_v94.pdf , which support the 20x2020http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/hot_topics/20x2020/index.shtml  water conservation goal are advancing in the California legislature.  Senator Lou Correa is a coauthor of SB 261.  

20x2020 is a statewide water initiative to reduce water consumption by 20% by 2020 (11 years from now.)  The two bills differ in their approaches to California's water problems.  SB 261 has urban water agencies write and implement the plans.  Also included in the Senate bill are  provisions to create commercial and industrial task forces to find and encourage ways for businesses to become more water thrifty.  Additionally, agricultural users would have to prepare and submit detailed usage and conservation plans.  AB 49 is in the process of being reconciled with the Senate bill so a single bill can be agreed upon and passed by both houses.

The bills acknowledge that different types of users (agricultural, industrial, residential) have different needs and capabilities and that different regions (coastal, desert, mountain) have different resources and needs. These bills work to acknowledge these differences, set up uniform requirements statewide but allow the individual areas to find their own unique solutions for their areas.

No Water Causes State of Emergency in Central Valley

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked President Obama to declare a Federal State of Emergency in California's Central Valley due to a lack of water.  http://www.gov.ca.gov/press-release/12562/ Recent dry years and pumping restrictions have severely reduced the amount of water flowing to the Central Valley.  In some towns which rely on agriculture, unemployment has reached 40%.

"Calfornia's Central Valley is our nation's agricultural engine and unemployment here is devastating the economy and hurting the people of California.  These are dire circumstances - no water means no work - and no work means people cannot feed their families.  This drought is truly an emergency, and the actions we are taking today show how government can still work for the people when they need it the most," Said Gov. Schwarznegger.

The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture http://www.fema.gov/dhsusda/searchState.do?state=CA has already declared the counties of Alpine, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Benito, San Bernardino, Shasta, Sierra, Tehama,Tulare,  Tuolumne, and  Yuba.

Longfin Smelt Added to List of Endangered Delta Fish

The longfin smelt, a cousin to the Delta smelt, has been added to the California Endangered Species list.http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2009/062409agd.asp#thu  California maintains a state list of endangered species, in addition to the Federal Endangered Species list.   Like it's cousin the Delta smelt, the longfin smelt is seen by wildlife experts as an indicator species of the overall health of the Sacramento River Delta region. 

The fish is not currently listed on the Federal Endangered Species list because experts did not fee that the California population of this fish is distinct from other, similar fish found in other areas outside the Sacramento River Delta.

To date, no new pumping restrictions have been ordered to help save the current longfin smelt population.