SCWC created two new infographics on CA Water Fix – Governor Brown’s plan that addresses our state’s aging water infrastructure and creates a more secure water supply by delivering it through a modern pipeline. CA Water Fix was developed over nearly a decade of extensive expert review, planning, and scientific and environmental analysis. The program promotes supply reliability, supports drought protection and prepares for climate change. It also features CA EcoRestore – a champion program to protect and restore the wildlife and environment of the Delta.
Southern California is already making unprecedented investments in local water supply projects with desalination plants, stormwater capture, groundwater clean-up, and recycling. However, local water supplies depend on the State Water Project as the water is often blended with groundwater, recycled water and other supplies that don’t meet CA water quality standards. A water supply cost comparison also shows that with CA Water Fix the State Water Project will provide a more cost effective supply at less than $1,000 an acre foot compared to other projects at more than $1,200 per acre foot.
Our state needs a balanced portfolio of water supplies – we need water from both local projects and the State Water Project. Currently, the fresh water that moves through the Delta is protected by fragile dirt levees that are vulnerable to earthquakes and natural disasters. Moving forward, action is necessary to ensure our statewide water supply is secure. If we don’t take action we risk losing 30 percent of California’s water supply. CA WaterFix will protect this supply and provide safe, reliable water to Southern Californians and others throughout the state.
Southern California’s Water Supplies in Perspective is available here.
CA WaterFix – Safeguarding Water Supplies & Planning for the Future is available here.
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New York Times Op-Ed: How California Is Winning the Drought
The New York Times published an op-ed “How California Is Winning the Drought” by Charles Fishman, author of “The Big Thirst. The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water.” The author argued that despite the severe ongoing drought conditions, California’s economy, job market and population are finding ways to thrive.
Below is an excerpt from the article:
“In water terms, California is famously a kind of teeter-totter: Most of the water is in the north, most of the people are in the south, and the water flows to the people.
“But across Southern California, the progress is quietly astonishing. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California not supplies roughly 19 million people in six counties, and it uses slightly less water than it did 25 years ago, when it supplied 15 million people. That savings – more than one billion gallons each day – is enough to supply all of New York City.”
Click here to read the full article.
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Save the Date: SCWC’s 31st Annual Dinner
SCWC’s Annual Dinner is Southern California’s premier event for leaders in water, business, local government, agriculture and more. Save the date for SCWC’s 31st Annual Dinner on Thursday, October 29, 2015.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2015
Location: Sheraton Universal Hotel
333 Universal Hollywood Drive Universal City, CA 91608
5:30pm: Cocktail Reception
7-9:00pm: Dinner Program
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
Contact Cindy Northcote-Smith at cnorthcote-smith@socalwater.org or (818) 760-2121 for more information about becoming a sponsor.
Know someone who has made a difference in water this year?
Every year, SCWC awards the Hon. Harriet Wieder Leadership Award to someone who has made strides in the water community. Please submit your nomination to Cindy Northcote-Smith at cnorthcote-smith@socalwater.org
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John Laird and Henry T. Perea: California Water Fix is Vital to Central Valley
In the Fresno Bee, John Laird, California Secretary for Natural Resources, and Assemblyman Henry T. Perea wrote the op-ed “California Water Fix is Vital to Central Valley” addressing the merits of the plan to improve water reliability, restore the Delta’s wildlife habitat and protect the delta from earthquakes and natural disasters.
Below is an expert from the op-ed:
“The California Water Fix has been reviewed, studied and amended for nearly 10 years by the state’s water experts, federal agencies and a broad group of citizens and interest groups. It is the only viable plan to secure our state’s aging and outdated water distribution system.
“We simply cannot afford to wait any longer to create a reliable water supply for the Central Valley. Residents in our community and throughout the state should rally together and support Gov. Brown’s California Water Fix. Our preparation for future droughts depends on it.”
To read the full article, click here.
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California Small Business Association Supports CA Water Fix in Op-Ed
The California Small Business Association (CSBA) showed support for CA Water Fix in the Sacramento Bee op-ed “Brown’s new Delta fix makes all sorts of economic sense” by President Betty Jo Toccoli. President Toccoli explained CSBA supported the plan because the availability of a reliable water supply is important to all of its members.
In the op-ed, President Toccoli argues that opponent’s arguments fail to account for severe economic consequences of inaction. See below for her reasons on why CA Water Fix makes economic sense.
Cost of inaction.
Economics of a catastrophic failure.
Improved water flows.
Affordability compared to alternative water sources.
To read the full article, click here.
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SCWC Hosts Water Use Efficiency Workshop
Many thanks to all who came out to SCWC’s Water Use Efficiency Workshop at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The event was a great success, where expert and water managers met to discuss California friendly landscape strategies.
Greg Weber, Executive Director for the CA Urban Water Conservation Council, was the keynote speaker and spoke about the transition to sustainable landscaping. In his presentation, Weber emphasized the multiple benefits approach to sustainable landscaping, including: stormwater capture, water filtration, air purification, soil creation, local food production and more. Moving forward, he recommended a Market Transformation Plan to accelerate the adoption of sustainable landscaping that identifies the barriers and possible strategies.
The event also featured three panel discussions on Water Agency Landscape Conservation Programs, California Friendly Landscape Education and Landscape Market Transformation Strategies for the Region. We would like to extend a thank you to all of the panelists for joining our event. The panels focused on innovation approaches to encourage Californians to permanently reduce their outdoor irrigation water use.
Special thanks to our sponsor MWD, whose generous contributions made this event possible.
To learn more about SCWC events, click here.
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Santa Margarita Water District Event: Will El Niño Wash Away the Drought?
Santa Margarita Water District is holding an event to discuss whether El Niño will wash away the drought on August 26, 2015. The event will feature Alex Tardy, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist in San Diego, California.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Location: Santa Margarita Water District
26111 Antonio Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Time: 6:30pm
Cost: FREE but limited seats available
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Southern California Edison Sponsoring 22nd Annual Water Conference
Save the date for Southern California Edison’s 22nd Annual Water Conference at the Energy Education Center in Irwindale on Wednesday, September 9 to Thursday, September 10, 2015. The event will focus on education water and waste water agencies on how to save energy, money and the environment.
Speakers will include: Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager with MWD, Brandon Foshi, Manager of Water Policy & Strategy with MWD, and Armul Sathe, Associate Director with Navigant.
To learn more about the event or to register call 626-812-7537 or visit www.sce.com/workshops.
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Established in 1984, the Southern California Water Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources. Spanning Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Ventura and Kern Counties, the SCWC’s members include representatives from business, government, labor, agriculture, water agencies and the general public.