US

Fort Bragg desalination plant ready to be called into service – California

A pair of recent showers has swelled the flow of the Noyo River near Fort Bragg ever so slightly.

This comes after weeks when the river ran at a trickle so low the city was often forced to turn off the intake pumps that feed water to the town’s homes and businesses.

Though located about 4½ miles from Noyo Harbor, the water supply at Madsen Hole, where the intake pipe meets the river, was overwhelmed in recent weeks by brackish tidewaters that pushed upstream.

(LINK).

EXPLAINER: Western water projects in infrastructure deal – Washington

Included in the sweeping $1 trillion infrastructure bill approved by the Senate is funding for Western water projects that farmers, water providers and environmentalists say are badly needed across the parched region.

The Senate voted this week in favor of the legislation that seeks to rebuild U.S. roads and highways, improve broadband internet access and modernize water pipes and public works systems. The bill’s future in the House is uncertain.

The federal funding would come as the West bakes under a decadeslong drought that is straining water supplies.

(LINK).

Gary Griggs, Our Ocean Backyard | For desalination, gather data before making decision – California

While facts today don’t settle all or even many arguments, as a scientist I believe that it’s important to learn as much as we can about an issue before reaching a decision or taking a position.

As Neil deGrasse Tyson once said, “The wonderful thing about science is that it’s true, whether or not you believe it.”

One issue that is brought up in all discussions about desalination is the potential impact on the marine environment.

(LINK).

The Water From Your Tap Is an Engineering Marvel Millennia in the Making – California

Every day, about 430 million gallons of water enter Los Angeles from the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The journey begins in the sky, when rain and snow fall on the mountainside; water then flows into the Owens River and travels a human-built route for the next 200-plus miles.

Pipes, tunnels, and canals—all mapped out a century ago—navigate hills, valleys, and desert terrain en route to North America’s third-largest city.

(LINK).

Pure Water Oceanside gets $1.7 million construction grant – San Diego – California

Federal officials have announced an additional $1.7 million grant for the construction of Pure Water Oceanside, a project that will turn wastewater into a new local source of drinking water beginning in 2022.

The recycling project is expected to provide more than 32 percent of Oceanside’s water supply, or between 3 million and 5 million gallons per day.

It would be the first operating project of its type in San Diego County, though others are planned or being built.

(LINK).

San Antonio built a pipeline to rural Central Texas to increase its water supply. Now local landowners say their wells are running dry – Texas

When the water finally arrived, San Antonio’s leadership could relax. The roughly 150-mile long water pipeline to the northeast guaranteed the city’s economic future and freed residents from the stress of droughts.

“We have water security for decades to come,” said Robert Puente, president and CEO of the San Antonio Water System. Puente called the project, which came online in April 2020, the “biggest achievement in our lifetimes” to secure water for the city.

The pipeline helped conserve the sensitive Edwards Aquifer, upon which San Antonio has historically depended for water.

San Diego’s water desalination efforts could get boost in federal funding – California

 Desalination projects in the San Diego area could get millions in federal funding under a bill Rep. Mike Levin introduced Tuesday.

The Desalination Development Act would provide $260 million over five years for desalination projects across the country, including Oceanside’s Mission Basin Groundwater Purification Facility, which converts brackish flows into potable water, said Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano).

It also sets environmental standards for projects that get federal funding, with requirements for energy efficiency, wildlife protection and water conservation.

(LINK).

Desalination advances in California despite opponents pushing for alternatives – California

Environmentalists say desalination decimates ocean life, costs too much money and energy, and soon will be made obsolete by water recycling. But as Western states face an epic drought, regulators appear ready to approve a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, California.

After spending 22 years and $100 million navigating a thicket of state regulations and environmentalists’ challenges, Poseidon Water is down to one major regulatory hurdle – the California Coastal Commission.

The company feels confident enough to talk of breaking ground by the end of next year on the $1.4 billion plant that would produce some 50 million gallons of drinking water daily.

(LINK).

Diablo Canyon and desalination – California

We in California face a historically deep drought advancing on our state, in addition to the global warming increase that takes our Western U.S. water more every day.

Yet, what are politicians fretting about? The plight of our Golden State? Not so much. The governor worries about the recall and where donations will come from for that next office.

Sacramento politicians worry about what they always focus on—where will money come from for that next election. Of course they focus on Big Oil and Gas donations. The people can’t afford to fund elections anymore with million dollar and up price tags.

(LINK).

California Should Fund Local Drought Resilience Projects Like San Diego and Sacramento – California

On July 8, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded two earlier drought emergency declarations to cover 50 of the state’s 58 counties.

In May, he directed state agencies to consider easing requirements for reservoir releases to conserve water upstream, and to make water transfers easier. Both are needed.

Notably, the governor’s emergency proclamation did not impose water conservation mandates. Instead, Newsom is leaving water conservation to each region — a smart and necessary approach that incentivizes regional investments in water supply.