SAWPA: OWOW
By Adam Eventov, Special to the California Water News
In Southern California, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, or SAWPA, leads a multi-disciplinary effort to identify efficient projects and priorities that benefit the 2,800-square mile region - an effort it hopes will give the watershed an advantage in securing funding.
Eastern Municipal Water District OKs modified tiered rate system
One of the Inland region's largest water agencies approved a tiered rate system Wednesday but adopted a lower per-unit cost following complaints from almost 200 customers, many of them on fixed incomes.
California's snowpack levels breed new water worries
Skiers are enjoying the early winter snows on California's mountains, but down closer to sea level are big worries that the snowfall and its spring runoff won't be enough to relieve two years of drought.
U.S. issues rules to protect Delta smelt
Scarce irrigation and drinking water in California could be reduced under a set of rules enacted Monday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect a rare fish uniquely adapted to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Sewage That's Clean Enough to Drink
The world has a water crisis — that much is undeniable. But it's also by our own design. Although just a tiny fraction of the world's 326 quintillion gallons of water is usable by humans, we would have more than enough to go around if we took care of it.
The Ultimate Recycling Program
Orange County has invested $490 million in its new wastewater reclamation facility, which is designed to treat 70 million gallons of wastewater effluent and turn it into drinking water.
A New Era
Art Ludwig, of Oasis Water, was more than pleasantly surprised when 75 plumbers and water-related tradespeople were waiting to attend his graywater workshop at the unfriendly hour of 6:30 a.m., in Cottonwood, AZ.
Interactive Map: Water Use Per Capita in California
Counties along the coast tend to use much less water per resident than inland counties. Water use per capita dropped slightly statewide between 1985 and 2000.
Californians told to prepare for dry 2009
California has been through two consecutive years of drought. Could 2009 bring a third?
California can't wait on water infrastructure
California's drought makes conservation a necessity today and full-scale water reform a top priority for swift action now. Southern Californians are already seeing water restrictions and conservation opportunities that bring this year's crisis into sharp focus.
A New Water Strategy
Southern California is really a semi-arid desert -- brought to life by water supplies from the Colorado River, the Owens Valley and the State Water Project to supplement our local supplies. Our reliance on this imported water to meet the region's future needs puts us at ever greater risk.
Water-conservation measures not enough to meet 2020 target, officials say
More drastic steps are needed for the state to achieve Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's goal of cutting urban water consumption by one-fifth by 2020.
Inland agencies receive state grants in water conservation program
Do you have grass that's drinking up water and getting little use? You could get paid to rip it up under a state-funded rebate program aimed at stretching California's water supply through another year of drought.
Water use as usual won't work
Water districts throughout Southern California find themselves in the hot seat these days. State law requires that they have long-term plans that ensure the supplies necessary to meet the demands of today along with the supplies that will meet the needs of tomorrow in order for economic development to continue.