Pacific Progressive

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

California Water Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Materials Available

Water is critical for California.  Problems with water - who has it, who doesn't, and how to move it, are in ongoing negotiation as the population of the state grows.  The state Department of Water Resources manages works with local water agencies on planning water use.

The most recent meeting was held on August 13, in Sacramento.  During the meeting, topics discussed included Preparing for a Dry 2010, the California Drought Contingency Plan, an update on the work of the Climate Change Technical Advisory Group, Central Valley Flood Management Planning, update on November Tribal Water Summit and results of work on Quantification of Scenarios.

The presentations and documents are available on line.  The next meeting, the Plenary Meeting, will be held on October 14-15, 2009 in Sacramento.  Water is used by everyone, but few people take the time to understand the underlying issues and how decisions being made now will impact their lives in a few months and years.  If citizens better understood water issues, they could discuss the decisions made by local water commissioners and find solutions which work better for their local communities.

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.

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.

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