The growing leadership of women in water. The Colorado River’s persistent drought and efforts to sign off on a plan to avert worse shortfalls of water from the river. And in California’s Central Valley, promising solutions to vexing water resource challenges.
These were among the topics that Western Water news explored in 2018.
We’re already planning a full slate of stories for 2019. You can sign up here to be alerted when new stories are published. In the meantime, take a look at what we dove into in 2018:
From the PPIC (Public Policy Institute of California) Viewpoints blog, in a post by Ellen Hanak, Caitrin Chappelle and Jay Lund:
Across California, local water agencies are scrambling to apply for new state matching grants authorized under February’s emergency drought legislation.
From the California Department of Water Resources (DWR):
DWR is represented at the American Water Works Association’s Whole Water Conference, which began June 24 in Monterey. The conference explores the challenge of managing California’s drinking water resource while protecting the environment, even as the drought imposes its own realities.
From the California Forward blog, in a post by Justin Ewers:
“Celeste Cantú thought it would be settled by now—especially with the drought revealing just how much a bold gamble on a new, collaborative approach to managing water has paid off in some parts of the state.”
From the California Department of Water Resources (DWR):
“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today [April 3] issued its draft proposal for the expenditure of $200 million in bond funds for projects and programs that help alleviate drought conditions and improve regional drought preparedness.
“To help relieve the effects of drought and to comply with direction from the Legislature, DWR has developed a streamlined, focused solicitation process and anticipates awarding grants by the fall of 2014 to local public agencies and non-profit organizations that are partici
From the California Department of Water Resources (DWR):
“As the state faces one of the driest years on record, the California Department of Water Resources announced today [Feb. 12] the award of nearly $153 million to 138 separate integrated regional water management projects around the state, many of which will provide long-term drought relief by expanding water conservation and water recycling. Approved by voters in 2006, Proposition 84 made $1 billion in grants available for local and regional water projects. The awards announced today [Feb.
“What is important is that the local mutual water companies (and the shareholders) get informed as to what to do to operate and sustain their company and realize the help available to them to accomplish such.
“A draft of the Northern Sacramento Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, which six northern counties, including Colusa and Sutter, have been working on since May 2010 is close to being completed.
From the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA):
“The Department of Water Resources is hosting a second round of workshops this fall for input on the ongoing development of a strategic plan for the future of Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) in California.
“The sessions, which are free and open to the public, are an opportunity to discuss how federal, state, regional and local government laws, regulations, and policies could better align with integrated regional water management.”
From the California Department of Water Resources (DWR):
“The proceedings from California’s first integrated water management (IWM) summit are available in a new report, ‘A Commitment to Action.’ The summit was held earlier this year and included the launch of the Water 360 campaign which is designed to use IWM to strengthen the efforts of California’s water manage- ment community.
From the California Department of Water Resources (DWR):
“A new report details the results of recent stakeholder meetings on the development of the Strategic Plan for the Future of Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) in California. During the workshops, stakeholders shared their visions and goals for the plan. The next round of workshops is planned for October and November.
“The integrated water management efforts described in our last blog cannot offset entirely the loss of reliability associated with a significant source of water for much of the state: the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“No quick or singular fix will satisfy California’s future water demand. It will take a multitude of diverse projects, most of them local or regional. It will require cooperation across boundaries and disciplines so that water supply projects provide multiple benefits, such as managing floodwaters, saving on water treatment costs, and enhancing the environment.”
“The region’s first integrated water management plan has been released, and the collaborative effort provides a ‘big picture’ perspective on water, officials said.”
