“Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Tuesday that he was bent on
writing “a new chapter” for the Department of Water and Power
with the help of its new leader Marcie Edwards — a task that goes
beyond cleaning up its woebegone billing system, he argued.”
“That could be southern Alameda County’s stark new reality as
people who water lawns too often could get slapped with a
misdemeanor if the Alameda County Water District board declares
an emergency water shortage Thursday with mandatory limits on
landscape irrigation.”
“Despite promises to speed up customer service response times,
the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s telephone
system is still making callers wait an average of nearly 30
minutes on hold, according to a new DWP website.
“A billing information page was launched this week to coincide
with the arrival of Marcie Edwards, the new DWP head selected
by Mayor Eric Garcetti to lead the city-owned utility.”
As February began, Marin was in the grips of a drought.
December saw only 1.16 inches of rain and January was even
worse: 0.01 of an inch, an all-time low dating back to 1879.
… Flash forward to Monday.”
“Until the federal government fulfills water obligations in the
north, don’t send it south.
“That was the message from Sacramento River settlement
contractors, through an attorney, to the Bureau of Reclamation,
which recently forecast the water deliveries to the districts
and water companies along the river would be cut by 60
percent.”
“Late-winter rain has prompted the Oakdale and South San
Joaquin irrigation districts to postpone the start of their
2014 deliveries to next week.
“Both had planned to begin filling canals Monday, which was
somewhat early because of the mostly dry conditions this year,
but the recent storms brought a change. OID now plans to start
next Monday, and SSJID will follow March 12.”
“A judge ruled the failed regional desalination project
agreements can still be challenged, but only by the Monterey
County Water Resources Agency and not California American
Water.
“Marina Coast Water District, a former regional project partner
with Cal Am and the county, has alleged its partners should pay
its project costs, estimated at $15 million to $18 million,
because they backed out of valid project agreements.”
“In a court battle with hundreds of millions of dollars at
stake, the San Diego County Water Authority won a round Tuesday
versus its archenemy: the Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California.
“A judge in San Francisco tentatively ruled that Metropolitan
violated the California Constitution in setting the rates it
charged for transporting water from the Colorado River to San
Diego County through its aqueduct and other water
transportation facilities.”
“The San Diego County Water Authority won a key ruling Tuesday in
its bitter and lengthy court fight claiming the region has been
overbilled for deliveries from the Metropolitan Water District.
“Ukiah Valley residents, businesses and farmers will be
required to cut their dependence on Lake Mendocino water by
half beginning next month.
“The Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation
Improvement District board of directors Monday night
unanimously adopted the 50 percent mandatory cutbacks in an
effort to maintain as much water as they can in drought-plagued
Lake Mendocino.”
“The East Bay Municipal Utility District anticipates it will need
to divert water this year from the Freeport Regional Water
Project on the Sacramento River, which it helped build in
partnership with Sacramento County at a cost of nearly $1
billion. The district has not used the diversion since it was
completed in 2010, but its board will vote in April whether to
activate it.”
“Declaring that California’s historic drought is worsening,
leaders of Silicon Valley’s largest drinking water provider on
Tuesday will consider asking the public for a 20 percent
reduction in water use, double what the agency first requested
last month.“
“Even with the three-day downpour earlier this month and some
rain on the horizon this week, Sonoma County is looking at the
smallest rainfall total in recorded history.
“Rain is expected to begin falling on Marin County Wednesday, and
continue into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.
Despite an extended drought, now in its third year, Marin’s water
supply is plentiful enough that authorities are refraining from
enforcing rationing — for now.”
“Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez has reopened a turf war in the
Capitol over whether homeowners association should have the
right to require green lawns and lush flower gardens even in a
drought. …
“Residential
outdoor landscaping accounts for 35 percent of all urban water
use, according to the state Department of Water
Resources.
“Considering the uncertainty of long-term weather patterns, the
Northstar district, Truckee Donner Public Utility District and
Placer County Water Agency — which all depend on Martis Valley
and deep groundwater wells for water — are encouraging customers
to meet the 20 percent request.
“Being a resort community, the Coachella Valley is full of
ornamental water features outside hotels, housing developments
and golf courses. …
“These types of features typically use water recycled through
their systems, but experts say they could hurt California’s
water conservation efforts if they’re left unchecked while the
state contends with a drought.”
“The Imperial Disadvantaged Community Outreach Program hosted a
public workshop at the Holtville City Council chambers
Wednesday to hear from the community about its priorities on
water-service issues, from flood-control deficiencies to sewage
treatment.
“The workshop was funded by the California Department of Water
Resources.
