ACWA eNews for Aug. 21, 2013

  • by BPC Staff
  • on August 22, 2013
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ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.

Water Commission Updated on ACWA-Led Effort to Craft a Statewide Water Action Plan

The California Water Commission received an update today on the ACWA-led effort to bring a broad array of water interests together to craft a Statewide Water Action Plan (SWAP). The goal of the SWAP is to produce a succinct plan with recommendations to the Governor for prioritizing specific near-term actions that can be broadly supported by the water community and can serve as a sustainable path forward in California. The Department of Water Resources also briefed the Commission on how the SWAP might intersect with the California Water Plan.

Salton Sea Monitoring Plan Released

A new interagency report released this week details a long-term plan for studying and measuring changes at the Salton Sea.

The 220-page document, called a Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP), was jointly prepared by the California Department of Water Resources, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, university experts and the U.S. Geological Survey.

The plan provides a foundation for improving conditions at the Salton Sea, said U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Anne Castle.

San Juan Water District Declares Stage 2 Alert

The San Juan Water District Board of Directors adopted a Stage 2 Water Alert last week amid concern about the possibility that the district’s water supply from Folsom Lake will not be able to fully cover demand from customers.

The water district is urging its customers to reduce water consumption by 5-10% until further notice and avoid all unnecessary and wasteful use of water, including sprinkler runoff and washing driveways and sidewalks.

Governor Announces Two Appointments to California Water Commission

Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed David Orth, general manager of the Kings River Conservation District, and Adan Ortega, sole proprietor of Adan Ortega Associated, to the California Water Commission, it was announced Wednesday.

New Reports Assess Recycled Water in California Agriculture, Groundwater

Independent experts from some of California’s biggest universities and environmental consulting firms have weighed in on two important issues related to the future of recycled water in California.

DWR Announces $750 Million Settlement for Electricity Charges

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced a settlement with the British Columbia utility Powerex, one of the utilities accused of overcharging California power buyers during the state’s electricity crisis of 2000-2001.

According to a DWR press release, money from the settlement will be used to offset future electricity bills of customers of Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric.

Apply for Free Trees and Assistance Organizing a Tree Planting Event

Looking to host a tree planting event? Local agencies may obtain free trees and assistance organizing a planting event by submitting a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Invest From The Ground-Up Community Tree Planning Program.

Digital ACWA News Now Available Online

The August 16 issue of ACWA News is now available online, with the latest developments on the 2014 water bond with four weeks to go in the legislative session.

Other featured stories this issue include:

Drought Threatens to Reduce Colorado River Water Deliveries in Coming Years

Amid the worst drought in a century on the Colorado River, federal officials announced Friday there’s a “significant” chance beginning in 2016 of lower water deliveries to the Lower Basin states.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said water deliveries won’t be curtailed during the 2014 water year that begins on Oct. 1; hydrologic models suggest there’s a “very small chance” delivery shortages could occur in 2015.

Judge Orders New Biological Opinion for Yuba River Dams

A federal court ordered a new biological opinion for Daguerre Point and Englebright dams in a decision handed down this week.

U.S. District Court Judge Morrison C. England set a May 12 due date for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue a new biological opinion, and told the federal government to not utilize the existing 2012 biological opinion in the preparation of the new opinion or in any Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing processes for the two dams.

Assembly Committee Gets Overview of Water Bond Framework

Members of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee got an initial look at a framework for a modified 2014 water bond during an informational hearing Aug. 15.

Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) outlined elements of the framework released this week by a working group of nine Assembly Democrats. The framework identifies five broad categories of programs and projects that would be allocated $1 billion each for a total bond measure of $5 billion.

State Officials Revise BDCP Proposal to Lessen Delta Footprint

In an effort to reduce the impact of the project on Delta residents, state officials today unveiled a smaller Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) that shrinks by 50% the project’s total permanent footprint and shifts portions of the project away from some homes and farms.

Report Looks at the Complexity of Measuring Water Affordability

The vast majority of water systems in California provide affordable water service to their customers. Despite the rising costs associated with energy, new treatment requirements and the state’s aging water facilities, California water has been called “the best deal around.”

Workshop on the New Aquatic Weed Permit

Thu, 08/29/2013 – 10:00am – 2:00pm

Location: 

Fresno County Farm Bureau Conference Room, 1274 W Hedges Ave., Fresno

Geared for those who use aquatic pesticides to manage aquatic weeds or algae in flowing waters or impoundments in either an agricultural or urban water supply systems. This workshop outlines the requirement of a new aquatic weed permit. Topics include whether an agency needs a permit, approved aquatic pesticides, how to file a notice of intent, sampling & analysis and other requirements.
 

 

ACWA Emissary and Best in Blue Awards Deadline

Tue, 09/03/2013

Location: 

910 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-3577

ACWA Awards

Workshop on Technologies to Remove Nitrates From Groundwater

Wed, 09/04/2013 – 9:30am – Thu, 09/05/2013 – 4:30pm

Location: 

Cal?EPA Building, 1001 I St., Sacramento

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will hold a workshop in September on technologies that have the potential to remove nitrates from groundwater to meet drinking water standards.

Speakers from the SWRCB and CDPH also will discuss current regulatory requirements related to nitrate treatment. Vendors will be available at the two-day workshop to present various treatment technologies and answer questions on their systems and whether they would fit in certain communities, especially smaller communities.

 

Energy and Water Nexus Summit 2

Thu, 09/12/2013 – 9:00am – 4:00pm

Location: 

Aquarium of the Bay, Pier 39, San Francisco

Building on the conversation started last year at the first Energy and Water Nexus Summit, the Second Summit will be an all-day event, exploring the developments, challenges, innovations and considerations around energy and water in Northern California.

The session is sponsored by the Bay Planning Coalition and co-sponsored by ACWA and other organizations.

Topics of discussion will include:

Water and Energy needs for food production, processing and transport

Registration and information

 

ACWA Region 9 Tour and Program, 9/13 – Highland, CA

Fri, 09/13/2013 – 8:00am – 2:30pm

Location: 

Highland, CA

 

ACWA Region 9 Tour & Program

Friday, September 13, 2013• 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

East Valley Water District

3654 Highland Avenue, Highland, CA

 

 

 

Registration Open! ACWA Region 5 Tour & Program, 9/22-9/23 – Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Sun, 09/22/2013 – Mon, 09/23/2013

Location: 

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

REGISTRATION OPEN!
ACWA Region 5 Hosted Program
 

Water Reliability:
An Environmental Balancing Act

September 22 & 23
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

 

2013 Annual CA-NV AWWA Fall Conference

Mon, 09/30/2013 – Thu, 10/03/2013

Location: 

Sacramento Convention Center

For more conference information, go to http://ca-nv-awwa.org/CANV/web/events/AFC/web/events/AFC13.aspx?hkey=d00bb688-3f32-48da-a08e-5b05180ee61b

29th Biennial Groundwater Conference & 22nd Groundwater Resources Association Annual Meeting

Tue, 10/08/2013 – Wed, 10/09/2013

Location: 

Red Lion/Woodlake Conference Center Hotel, Sacramento

GROUNDWATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
o f   C a l i f o r n i a

 

October 8-9, 2013
Red Lion/Woodlake Conference Center Hotel
Sacramento, CA

Co-Sponsors:  AMEC  |  West Yost Associates

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

 

SAVE THE DATE! ACWA Regions 2 & 4 Water Forum & Bike Tour Oct. 24-25

Thu, 10/24/2013 – Fri, 10/25/2013

Location: 

Sacramento, CA

SAVE THE DATE

 

ACWA Regional Water Forum & American River Bike Tour

October 24-25, 2013

Hosted by ACWA Regions 2 & 4

 

 

Southern California Water Committee 29th Annual Meeting and Dinner

Thu, 10/24/2013 – 5:30pm – 9:00pm

Location: 

Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center, One Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744

 

5:30pm – Cocktail Reception

Ticket and Sponsorship information here.

 

ACWA 2013 Fall Conference & Exhibition

Tue, 12/03/2013 – Fri, 12/06/2013

Location: 

JW Marriott LA Live, Los Angeles

Event and Registration Information

Exhibit Booth information is available here.