Governor says Baja used water as a piggy bank. Critics worry about his bigger plan – California Baja California’s new governor, Jaime Bonilla, says he is battling to clean up widespread corruption that for years ate away at the state’s water agency. Even Bonilla’s critics acknowledge the corruption and the failing water system, which results in frequent sewage spills that foul Tijuana and San Diego beaches. But those critics also allege the high-profile investigation, which has already led to 30 criminal complaints, is aimed at Bonilla’s political enemies. And they worry that it could be used to build up his own nest of public funds. Governor says Baja used water as a piggy bank. Critics worry about his bigger plan – CaliforniaDME GmbH2020-07-12T14:17:06+02:00
Huntington Beach Desalination Plant to Preserve, Enhance and Restore Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – California In conjunction with the operation of its proposed Huntington Beach Desalination Project, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board issued a final draft permit on June 30th that requires Poseidon Water to assume responsibility for the preservation, enhancement and restoration of the Ecological Reserve (Bolsa Chica) wetlands. The Regional Board is scheduled to vote on the Permit July 30th. This preservation action – helping maintain a functioning ocean inlet – is the lifeblood of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve wetlands, which is the largest saltwater marsh between Monterey Bay and the Tijuana […] Huntington Beach Desalination Plant to Preserve, Enhance and Restore Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – CaliforniaDME GmbH2020-07-10T13:55:52+02:00
$20 million funding opportunity to strengthen America’s water infrastructure – Washington A federal funding opportunity was announced on June 30th to improve the water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is providing $20 million for innovations that “strengthen America’s water infrastructure and enable advanced water resource recovery systems that have the potential to be net energy positive.” Over the next 10 years, 40 states expect water shortages in some areas, according to the DOE. (LINK). $20 million funding opportunity to strengthen America’s water infrastructure – WashingtonDME GmbH2020-07-06T14:33:28+02:00
Area citizens unite against desal plants – Texas Corpus Christi’s controversial seawater desalination plants have been in the works since 2014 and in May took another step toward completion with the Corpus Christi City Council approving action to apply for financial assistance. The city began evaluating potential future water supplies in 2014 as a result of the drought conditions experienced in 2010-2013. After intensive evaluation by a multi-disciplinary group during the first phase, the conclusion was reached that seawater desalination was feasible as a new source for some of the region’s’ water supply needs. The two plants […] Area citizens unite against desal plants – TexasDME GmbH2020-07-03T23:10:57+02:00
Montecito Water District Board Approves New Rates, Supply Agreement with Santa Barbara – California The Montecito Water District took a major step forward to improve long-term water supply security and reliability during a special meeting on Thursday. The water district Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt a resolution approving a 50-year water supply agreement between the MWD and the City of Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara City Council will consider approval of the final water supply agreement next week and in July, according to MWD consultant Clean Energy Capital. (LINK). Montecito Water District Board Approves New Rates, Supply Agreement with Santa Barbara – CaliforniaDME GmbH2020-06-28T08:22:41+02:00
Montecito Water District Signs Up for a 50-Year Supply from Santa Barbara- California In a historic move, the Montecito Water District board voted unanimously on Thursday to “drought-proof” the wealthy enclave by importing a large supply of Santa Barbara water every year for the next 50 years, rain or no rain. The initial annual cost will be $4.6 million. The vote comes on the heels of the severe drought of 2012 to 2018, in which Montecito, a community of one-acre lots, big estates, and luxury hotels and golf courses, faced heavy fines for over-watering. Montecitans […] Montecito Water District Signs Up for a 50-Year Supply from Santa Barbara- CaliforniaDME GmbH2020-06-26T09:18:32+02:00
Monterey Peninsula water district board opposes Cal Am desal project – California For the first time, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District has formally expressed opposition to the California American Water desalination project, backing the proposed Pure Water Monterey recycled water project expansion instead as a replacement and not just a backup. At the same time, the water district took another step toward a potential acquisition of Cal Am’s Monterey water system with the release of a draft environmental impact report on the proposed public buyout effort. In a split vote, the water district board […] Monterey Peninsula water district board opposes Cal Am desal project – CaliforniaDME GmbH2020-06-21T10:18:12+02:00
Corpus Christi coalition to host drive-by petition protesting planned desalination plants – Texas A coalition of seven Corpus Christi groups will host a weekly drive-by public petition against any desalination plant plans in the Coastal Bend. The drive-by will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays at Oleander Point. The group, called, Save the Bay for the Greater Good, is also mailing out more than 25,000 petitions. The coalition expects enough signatures to require the city of Corpus Christi to hold an election to allow Corpus Christi residents to vote on a charter amendment restricting […] Corpus Christi coalition to host drive-by petition protesting planned desalination plants – TexasDME GmbH2020-06-19T09:26:26+02:00
Decades in the making, Buena Vista Lagoon restoration plan finally approved – California A long-sought compromise has been approved that will open the stagnant, reed-filled Buena Vista Lagoon to the sea and restore its native coastal marine habitat, but years of work remain before the transformation begins. Disagreements over whether the lagoon at the border of Carlsbad and Oceanside should remain freshwater or be restored to saltwater have stalled the project for decades. The final decision allows the removal of the weir, a low wooden dam at the mouth of the waterway that keeps […] Decades in the making, Buena Vista Lagoon restoration plan finally approved – CaliforniaDME GmbH2020-05-31T14:42:13+02:00
Santa Barbara’s Water Outlook Foresees Sufficient Supply to Meet Demands Through Fall 2022 – California Santa Barbara’s water supplies are on the way to recovery followed by three average or above-average rainy seasons. The city’s water-supply forecasting shows there’s sufficient supply to meet demands through fall 2022, while allowing groundwater basins to slowly recover and rest, water supply analyst Dakota Corey told the city’s Water Commission at Thursday’s special meeting. The availability of water from Gibraltar Reservoir, upstream on the Santa Ynez River, in the past few years as well as Santa Barbara’s desalination plant operation and water conservation have enabled […] Santa Barbara’s Water Outlook Foresees Sufficient Supply to Meet Demands Through Fall 2022 – CaliforniaDME GmbH2020-05-25T14:57:14+02:00