This is the highest allocation since 2019 when the final allocation of 75% was set in June of that year. It is also a reversal of the recent three very dry years with final allocations in 2020, 2021, and 2022 of 20%, 5% and 5%[1] respectively.

The updated 75% allocation for this year was announced based on the most updated information, but it may not be the final allocation of the year given that more weather and storms could change it in the remaining snow/rainfall-producing months.

The 75% allocation, or 3.15 million acre-feet of water will allow the SWP’s 29 contracting public water agencies to store water this year to prepare for future dry years.

“History tells us that wet years like this are critical for water agencies in managing supplies for the millions of Southern Californians who depend on them. Especially recent history, where we’ve seen such dramatic results with a more variable climate,” said Charley Wilson, executive director of the Southern California Water Coalition. “Sound water use management, storage, and a means of transporting their water efficiently when it materializes, are all important actions and strategies for the near and long-term future.”

Southern California relies on water from the State Water Project as a part of its water supply mix that includes water from the Colorado River, local sources such as groundwater, recycled water, stormwater capture, and desalination.

[1] This 5% allocation in 2022 does not include the water provided to agencies for health and safety purposes and which must be repaid by the agencies.

The post Statement on State Water Project Allocation Increase to 75% appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

To make things easier for you, we’ve rounded up our top 10 most-read California water-related posts from 2022!  So get ready to dive in and explore some compelling pieces of content about our favorite topic.

1. Californians Agree: Time is Now to Invest in Water Infrastructure

Tupac and Dr. Dre made California Love an anthem for the Golden State, but to many residents on either end of the Northern/Southern divide, it’s a lopsided love at best. A light rivalry permeates the state from Eureka and the Bay Area to L.A. and San Diego over who has the better weather, sports teams, tacos, and, more seriously in this historically dry year, water management. You know when Northern and Southern Californians agree vehemently on one thing, it’s time to pay attention. And that one thing is: Now is the time to invest boldly in water infrastructure. This blog post highlights the Southern California Water Coalition’s partnership with Bay Area Council and Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley.

2. 12 Books About Water That Inspire Us

Originally created as a pandemic reading list post in 2020, this article continues to draw thousands of viewers for our eclectic list of water-related books. We asked the Southern California Water Coalition team for their top recommendations of books with interesting or timely takes on California water issues to share with you. Below are the best we’ve come across. 

The list has something for everyone from the lyrical and poetic (Joan Didion’s “Where I Am From” and Anne Carson’s “Plainwater”) to the thrilling (Marc Reisner’s “A Dangerous Place” and Paolo Bacigalupi’s “The Water Knife”) to the serious and studied (“Water to the Angels” by Les Standiford). 

3. Regional Water Leaders Celebrated for Hispanic Heritage Month

For Hispanic Heritage Month, Southern California Water Coalition recognized all Hispanic and Latinx water professionals whose leadership, dedication, and dynamism influence Southern California’s water resiliency. Highlighted in this blog post were Covina City Mayor, SCWC board member, and vice chair of the SCWC Legislative Task Force Patty Cortez; SCWC board member, California Water Commission member Jose Solorio; Board President of the Rancho California Water District Carol Lee Gonzales-Brady; longtime SCWC member and former Metropolitan Water District General Manager Ron Gastelum; and Director and General Manager of the Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment Barbara Romero.

4. Ten Songs That Explain California Water

Californians have been known to love their music. From classic rock to modern pop, the Golden State has produced some of the most iconic and listened-to tunes in history. But what about when the music is about something Californians care deeply about? In that case, you get songs that explain California water, our carefully curated list just for you. Let us know if we missed some! 

Here are ten examples of tunes that perfectly capture this complex and nuanced issue. View the full playlist on YouTube.

5. SCWC Tackles Equity, Access and Affordability

The SCWC’s expert panel discussion on Equity, Access, and Affordability of Water marked the inception of its newest task force, which will seek to explore Southern California’s unique people and cultures to work through challenges that the water industry faces regionally.

The formation of the Equity, Access, and Affordability Task Force was characterized by the discussion that took place between the four experts who were invited to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas on the panel, which mediated by SCWC Executive Director Charley Wilson. 

6. Southern California Voices Need to be Heard on Water Investment

As the state of California continues to experience drought conditions, water infrastructure investment has become a top priority for many organizations. The Southern California Water Coalition is just one of the groups that has called on state leaders to use budget surplus funds to invest in additional water infrastructure. SCWC has joined with eleven other organizations include RebuildSoCal, BizFed, Engineering Contractors Association and many others to call for more funding for projects that will help to increase local and regional water supply development, fix aging infrastructure, improve water quality and investment in new and existing water storage projects.

7. Spotlight on Women Water Leaders

In honor of Women’s History Month, SCWC spotlighted just a few of the regional female leaders whose service to public health and water supply reliability has proved instrumental in achieving strides towards sustainability.

Their reflections on their careers, their support for one another, and their advice for other women pursuing a future in water are nothing short of inspiring. Each woman serves as a member of the Southern California Water Coalition Board of Trustees and several also chair or co-chair its task forces.

8. New Educational Video Highlights SoCal’s Water Supplies

The Southern California Water Coalition has teamed up with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to produce a new informative video series that highlights Southern California water systems and underscores the need to protect and expand water resources during the drought. 

Watch the video HERE. 

9. Celebrating Black Water Leaders

In honor of Black History Month, the Southern California Water Coalition celebrates all Black leaders whose dedication, vision, and initiative have influenced the future of Southern California water resiliency. The article highlights Gloria Gray, West Basin Municipal Water District director and the first Black woman to chair the Metropolitan Water District; Jasmin Hall, Inland Empire Utilities Agency director, Mayor Acquanetta Warren of the City of Fontana, and Harold Williams, West Basin Municipal Water District director.

A time of reflection, remembrance, and inspiration, Black History Month encourages us all to visualize and achieve a better, more inclusive, and united world.

10. Delta Conveyance Environmental Impact Report is Released

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued its Environmental Impact Report for Delta Conveyance, the project designed to modernize our state’s water infrastructure in the vast network of waterways found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Delta Conveyance is a much-needed update to California’s water infrastructure, ensuring greater reliability and flexibility from the State Water Project system that provides water from the Sierra Nevada mountains to Southern California, Central Valley and the Bay Area.

While versions of this project have been proposed over the years, today’s proposed project is a sharp departure from previous iterations. The Delta Conveyance Project proposed today has been downsized, refined, rerouted, and redesigned to better meet the needs of the communities it serves.

The post Best Water Articles: Top 10 Most Read Posts in 2022 appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

“LVMWD has experienced a significant reduction in water usage with the drought emergency, and the credit goes to our customers for their responsiveness …”

Flow Restrictor

One of the tools that LVMWD is providing to its customers is data made available through the installation of advanced or smart meters. The automated system, along with the infrastructure, provides near real-time water usage data to customers and the District. Each individual customer can review and manage their water use more effectively and with greater responsibility using a mobile-device friendly system called WaterSmart. Leaks can be detected quickly rather than waiting for an entire billing cycle to discover a spike in usage and cost, which helps to conserve water.  Not having to manually read 21,000 meters every month also helps to keep fleet vehicles off the roads – reducing carbon emissions.

But advanced meters are not enough. The District has also implemented a comprehensive conservation program due to the historic drought and its disproportionate impacts on our region. The program is designed to provide customers with clear guidelines to follow, a billing structure to incentivize customers to stay within their prescribed water budgets and penalties for those who ignore the conservation requirements.

As of November 2021, the District adopted Stage 3 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which included the declaration of a local emergency and initial reduction of customers’ outdoor water budgets by 25 percent. The action was necessary because LVMWD’s single source of drinking water supply from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and delivered via the State Water Project was not expected to meet the normal demands of the region. In May 2022, after the driest three consecutive winter months in recorded history, outdoor water budgets were further reduced to 50 percent of normal.

Since March 2022, the District has issued exceedance notices to customers who have used 150 percent or more of their water budgets. In addition, customers who have had four exceedances have been informed of the possible installation of a flow restriction device to curb their water usage. The devices are installed on water meters for two weeks for the first exceedance. If water consumption is not substantially reduced and the exceedances continue, the restrictor is reinstalled a second time for three months. For third and subsequent exceedances, it can be installed for up to six months. The program is intended to ensure that all of LVMWD’s customers do their part to respond to the critical water shortage. Fortunately, it is working as only 70 flow restriction devices have been installed to-date.

LVMWD has experienced a significant reduction in water usage with the drought emergency, and the credit goes to our customers for their responsiveness, flexibility, resiliency and engagement. Water consumption was down 37 percent in June, 32 percent in July and 36 percent in August 2022, as compared to the same months in 2020.  When adjusted to account for the higher temperatures this year, those reduction number correspond to 44 percent, 42 percent and 45 percent, respectively. With a regional reduction target of 35 percent, these conservation results have delayed the need for an altogether ban on outdoor watering. In May 2022, MWD warned that an outdoor watering ban could be instituted as early as September 1, 2022, if conservation objectives were not achieved. The need for such a ban has been pushed off to at least December 1, 2022 and will depend on continued conservation efforts and water supply conditions with the start of the new “rainy” season. For the month of August, 77 percent of LVMWD’s customers were at or below their reduced water budgets. Compared to similar months in 2013, LVMWD’s customers have collectively reduced their water use by approximately 50 percent.

LVMWD customers are at ground zero for drought in the United States. Many have already begun planning to transform their landscapes to be drought-tolerant and climate-appropriate for a future that will be hotter and drier. A drive through the service area highlights the overwhelming cooperation and commitment of customers. With all the challenges that our people and planet face, it’s refreshing to see a community work together for the good of the whole. Our community will be stronger and more resilient as a result. LVMWD thanks its customers for being drought heroes and commits to do its part to improve water supply reliability for the future.

“Water consumption was down 37 percent in June, 32 percent in July and 36 percent in August 2022, as compared to the same months in 2020.”

Related stories: Las Virgenes Municipal Water District General Manager David Pedersen won the Kathy Cole Award from SCWC in 2021.

The post If There are Drought Heroes – It’s LVMWD Customers appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

By Elizabeth Smilor
Special Sections Writer

The California Department of Water Resources recently announced that current conditions indicate we’re heading into a fourth year of drought. This should not be surprising news. Lawns are browning as residents have been asked to limit outdoor watering. Restaurants only serve water upon request. Daily news photos show reservoirs at drastically low levels.

“A cycle of wet and dry years is common in California, but now the storms are more severe and less often. We can’t change the weather, but we can prepare for drought years by investing in an ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy to sustain a reliable water supply for all,” said Ray Baca, Executive Director of the Engineering Contractors’ Association (ECA), a diverse group of construction contractors and suppliers focused on new water and wastewater infrastructure projects, as well as emergency repair and replacement of aging water infrastructure throughout the Southern
California region.

Baca sums up the belief of many regional leaders across the business, labor and construction sectors, and in disadvantaged communities. These leaders, like most Californians, recognize the drought as a long-term challenge in need of diverse solutions.

A majority of Californians see water supply as a big problem in their area, according to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) conducted in July 2022. About two in three adults or 68 percent and more than three in four likely voters (77 percent) say it is a big problem ¬ up from a
year ago (63 percent of adults, 69 percent of likely voters), the survey reported.

The same survey shows that most Californians also believe not enough is being done by local and state governments and by the public in general. Again, the PPIC survey shows 68-69 percent of all adults say not enough is being done in response to the current drought.

“California cannot afford to waste time in repairing our aging water infrastructure. California has the tools to secure our water future, and now is the time to use them,” said Marci Stanage, Director of Water and Environmental Relations for ReBuild SoCal Partnership. “We need a strong voice in our legislature that will move forward with both short- and long-term infrastructure projects. A secure water future is achievable, if it is made a priority.”

The ongoing drought is stressing water supply as reservoirs drop to historically low levels. Above, an aerial view of Loafer Point boat ramp showing Lake Oroville on Aug. 4. On this date, the storage was 1,439,844 reservoir acre-feet, which is 41 percent of the total capacity

The Rebuild SoCal Partnership (RSCP) consists of 2,750 contractors throughout Southern California that represent more than 90,000 union workers. RSCP is dedicated to working with elected officials and educating the public on the continued need for essential infrastructure funding, including airports, bridges, ports, rail, roads, and water projects. 

We are in the midst of our driest year to date with 97.5 percent of the state experiencing severe drought conditions and 40 percent in severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The drought is affecting 37.2 million Californians from farmlands to urban centers. California’s DWR estimates that without action, hotter, drier weather could reduce California’s water supply by up to 10 percent by 2040, which is roughly 6 to 9 million acre-feet.

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the California Water Supply Strategy in August. The plan prioritizes actions to capture, recycle, de-salt and conserve more water.  “The best science tells us that we need to act now to adapt to California’s water future. Climate change means drought won’t just stick around for two years at a time like it historically has – extreme weather is the new normal here in the American West and California will adapt to this new reality,” Newsom said. Newsom characterized these strategies as “moving away from a scarcity mindset to one more of abundance.”

“How can we take the existing resources and be more resourceful, in terms of advancing policies, and direct our energies to create more water, to capture more water?” he said.

Robert Sausedo, President and CEO of Community Build and a leader of the Groundswell coalition, said the next question should be how to distribute that water more equitably.

“It’s really important to look at water justice for disadvantaged communities, because historically we get left out of the discussion and then we take the brunt of the disaster,” he said, citing Flint, California’s Central Valley, Vernon and Carson as some examples. Groundswell is a coalition comprised of community groups, faith-based organizations and other stakeholders advocating for new policies that enhance water delivery by supporting small water system operators throughout the state, many serving low-income communities as well as people of color.

“This coalition is designed to address that problem from the Delta all the way down to the border and everything in between to make sure that access to clean water is appropriate, and that as they tap other water sources, communities of concern have a voice at the table so they’re not left out in the end,” Sausedo said. “We need policy makers to not pander to groups that call themselves environmental groups when they’re really just set up to slow down development and don’t do anything to accommodate the need for water rights in communities of concern. The endangered lizard and fly have more water rights than I do.”

Community Build offers many social services and helps develop affordable housing to tackle California’s other crisis of homelessness, which Sausedo also ties to water. “In order to build housing, you have to reasonably account for access to water for that building.”

Rich Lambros, Managing Director of the Southern California Leadership Council (SCLC), agreed that water supply is tied to housing and growth. “Southern California Leadership Council appreciates the important role water availability, affordability and reliability play in supporting economic development, job creation and quality of life in Southern California,” said Lambros. “In particular, water supply security is a critical enabler of growth, development and increased housing supply.”

Three former Governors (Wilson, Davis and Schwarzenegger) and three dozen President/CEOs of major companies and agencies comprise SCLC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization formed to provide leadership on major public policies critical to Southern California’s future.

The projects that are of interest and widely supported by business and labor leaders in our region include: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conveyance modernization project; recycled water projects including Pure Water Southern California and many smaller projects including one by Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority and a Central Coast Groundwater Basin project by the Water Replenishment District (WRD) of Southern California; and storage reservoirs including Sites Reservoir in the Sacramento Valley.

“BizFed speaks for warehouses, hospitals, food processing plants, educational institutions, restaurants, hotels, builders, refineries, retail, recreational facilities and other community staples, thanks to our diverse and ever-growing membership. These industries all need clean, reliable and affordable water to thrive and serve Southern Californians,” said BizFed Founding CEO Tracy Hernandez. “We must modernize the region’s water distribution system by investing in water infrastructure projects such as the Cadiz Water Project in the Mojave, the Delta Conveyance Project and innovative proposals to harness desalination technology. This is how we ensure the flow of water that our trillion dollar economy demands.”

BizFed, the Business Federation of Los Angeles, is an alliance of 225 business organizations representing 410,000 employers and 5 million employees in the greater L.A. area.

Actions included in the governor’s water strategy include: Creating storage space for up to 4 million acre-feet of water for dry periods; recycling and reusing at least 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030; freeing up 500,000 acre feet of water through more efficient water use and conservation; and making new water available for use by capturing stormwater and desalinating ocean water and salty water in groundwater basins.

“While our water agency leaders are doing a good job of bringing forward much needed water projects, these projects are often delayed by a lack of funding or challenged by environmental or NIMBY opposition,” said ECA’s Baca. “Because of that, there’s a growing need for all of us in Southern California, especially organizations like ECA and our strategic partners in business, labor and construction, to fight for these projects and the funding needed to bring these water supply solutions online.”

The post Regional Leaders Advocate for Water Supply Improvements appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

This latest issue of California Water magazine takes on this challenge, tackling the causes behind the drought while also highlighting innovative ways that residents, businesses, and water agencies are stretching water supplies through efficient use, recycling, reuse and more during these hard times.

Causes of the Drought?
The drought that has gripped California and the Western United States for the past several years has been caused by a combination of factors. Low precipitation levels are obviously a major contributing factor, but other factors such as high temperatures, increased evaporation, and changes in atmospheric conditions have also played a role. The net result is that reservoirs that California depends on are at dangerously low levels, with some even approaching dryness.

What’s Needed Next
To address the water crisis, we need to change both our individual habits and our state policies. On an individual level, we can all do our part to conserve water by making small changes in our daily lives, such as taking shorter showers, watering our plants during cooler hours of the day, and using a broom instead of a hose to clean our driveways and sidewalks. If everyone does their part, it will make a big difference. On a policy level, state leaders need to prioritize investment in infrastructure projects that will ensure the reliability of our state’s water supply. Only by working together can we hope to bring an end to this crisis.

Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram, where you’ll find us under the username socalwater. We will love to hear from you!

Charley Wilson
Executive Director
The Southern California Water Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public education partnership is dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources.

The post California’s Drought: What Comes Next? appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

“It Never Rains in Southern California” by Albert Hammond

This song of suffering written by English songwriter Albert Hammond in the 1970s pre-dates the devastation of California’s severe 1976-77 drought. Remember all the swimming pools that were drained and the rise of the memorable but kind of icky “if it’s yellow, be mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down” water conservation campaign? Hammond seemed to be using the dry weather as a metaphor for his artistic career, which hadn’t yet taken off. Lucky for him, this song changed all that. For some, this is the first song that comes to mind when they think of California droughts because the refrain is so on the nose. It’s been covered by a multitude, from Sonny & Cher to Tony! Toni! Toné! to David Hasselhoff so there’s a version for everyone!

“Cruel Summer” by Bananarama

This 1980s classic by girl group Bananarama captures the mood perfectly even in April, as the Golden State roasted in a summerlike spring heat wave. With June just around the corner,  many are wondering if this summer will break last year’s record for hottest on record, stressing electrical grids and drying out landscapes just as mandatory water use restrictions will likely kick in for many. We’re guessing it won’t be hard to relate to these lyrics: Hot summer streets/and the pavements are burning/I sit around/Trying to smile/But the air is so heavy and dry.

“No Rain” by Blind Melon

The title alone qualifies Blind Melon’s monster hit as the anthem for the 2021-22 water year…and 2020-21…and 2019-20. We could go on. We also think California water folk can relate to the opening line: “All I can say/Is that my life is pretty plain/I like watchin’ the puddles gather rain.” After all, these are the folks who follow snowpack survey results and who might be wagering for bragging rights in annual “guess the State Water Project allocation” contests, though it has been an exceptionally grim game this year.

“When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin

This century-old blues song was catapulted to worldwide fame when iconic rock band Led Zeppelin covered it in the early 1970s. Written by Memphis Minnie to document the devastation of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the song resonates with us as we think about the fragility of the aging dirt levees in the Bay Delta that are all that protect our main source of water from catastrophic earthquakes, floods and rising sea levels. May the levees not break anytime soon.

“Dry River” by Dave Alvin

Born and raised in Downey, California, Dave Alvin is a singer/songwriter known for founding the L.A. punk-and-roots-rock band the Blasters and a brief stint in X. He has said that his 1991 song, “Dry River,” is about a survival of the spirit, born of his vision of orange groves blooming again in Southern California and of the San Gabriel River freed of its concrete channel. The song is less an environmental anthem than a poignant song about nature’s endurance.

“Water Runs Dry” by Boyz II Men

The beautiful harmonies and emotional ballads of the 1990s-super group B2M brought a tear to many an eye and this song was no exception. It tells the story of a couple trying to find their way back together after a break-up: Let’s not wait till the water runs dry/We’ll make the biggest mistake of our lives. But those words also bear meaning for Californians looking for a solution to the state’s long-standing water woes worsened by severe drought and climate change impacts. Indeed, let’s not wait until the water runs dry.

“Snow in California” by Ariana Grande

This Christmas song by superstar singer Ariana Grande may be inspired by the classic “Let It Snow” record, but Grande puts a real California water spin on it. The lines “Just make it snow in California/I’ll even settle for rain” astutely sum up one of climate change’s key impacts. The state of California’s water supply used to arrive in the form of snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The snow would melt in the spring and flow down into rivers and reservoirs. This system is now changing due to climate change. So we’re definitely asking for snow but we’ll totally settle for rain.

“Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande

There’s no shortage of songs calling for rain, from the Temptations “I Wish It Would Rain” to Phil Collins “I Wish It Would Rain Down” to Eric Clapton’s “Let It Rain.” But for the most danceable beat as we pray for rain, we pick this 2020 hit from Lady Gaga featuring Ariana Grande every time. 

“Cloud of Dust” by Brad Paisley

It’s easy to forget when you’re sitting in traffic and the concrete expanses in California’s urban areas, but agriculture is a significant sector in California’s economy. It regularly accounts for just about 20% of total U.S. agricultural production and it is a major water user within the state. Brad Paisley’s sad song about drought’s effects on farmers takes place in West Texas, but we’re sure that California’s farmers in the Central Valley can relate to dashed hopes of the “forecast more of the same/Sunny and mild no chance of rain.”

“Find the River” by R.E.M.

The pretty melody of Find the River by R.E.M. never has been one of the acclaimed band’s big hits (think “Man on the Moon” or “Shiny Happy People”) but it’s a hopeful standout about strength and courage of moving forward, one step at a time. “The ocean is the river’s goal/A need to leave the water knows/We’re closer now than light years to go,” sings Michael Stipe and we feel the pull of the tide.

The post Playlist: Ten Songs That Explain California Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Martha Guzman was appointed by President Biden as the first Latina to lead the Environmental Protection Agency for the Pacific Southwest. She is longtime Central Valley advocate from Sacramento who began her career working for the United Farm Workers and California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation. She has served as a Commissioner on the California Public Utilities Commission. While she’s done many things to deliver access to clean, safe water for underserved communities, she told us she is most proud of the work she was able to do in helping to pass California’s Driver’s License Act for the Undocumented, as well as making sure that electricity kept flowing to people despite the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.  She is an experienced leader who values economic justice and strives to give voice to those who need it.

Felicia Marcus jokes that she has had an accidental career, but we can see that her accomplishments are serious and consequential. Originally an East Asian Studies major with the intent of changing the international world, she fell into environmental and domestic policy instead. Early in her career, she learned about how sludge was still being dumped into Santa Monica Bay and decided to take action. This led her on a journey to become an advocate, attorney and administrator championing conservation of California’s natural resources. She even earned the moniker of California’s water czar during the state’s last severe drought as chair of the state’s water board. Today, she’s a fellow at Stanford’s Water in the West Program and a consultant and member of the Water Policy Group.

Tune in now on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts to learn more about these two smart, powerful women as well as their impact on California’s future. We hope you enjoy it!

The post #5 – Martha Guzman and Felicia Marcus appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

We’re already looking ahead, but for now, let’s take a quick look back at SCWC’s 10 most read website posts of 2021.

1. 12 Books About Water That Inspire Us

Originally created as a pandemic reading list post in 2020, this article continues to draw thousands of viewers for our eclectic list of water-related books. The list has something for everyone from the lyrical and poetic (Joan Didion’s “Where I Am From” and Anne Carson’s “Plainwater”) to the thrilling (Marc Reisner’s “A Dangerous Place” and Paolo Bacigalupi’s “The Water Knife”) to the serious and studied (“Water to the Angels” by Les Standiford). 

2. Watch “Drought: Are We Ready?” Webinar on Demand

More than 300 people live-attended our May 3 webinar featuring an expert panel discussing the drought, and another 600 have streamed the video and read the blog post since. Featuring Newsha Ajami, Director of Urban Water Policy, Stanford University Water in the West program; Paul Cook, General Manager, Irvine Ranch Water District; Heather Dyer, General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District; Erik Ekdahl, Deputy Director, State Water Resources Control Board; Karla Nemeth, Director, California Dept. of Water Resources.

3. Watch Water Quality Webinar Video on Demand

This sixth installment of our What Matters webinar series featured an expert panel discussing the presence of PFAS in U.S. drinking water, including Southern California. PFAS is a family of more than 4,000 chemical compounds found in most products we use in our daily lives. Nearly 500 people registered for the event to hear from scientists, city and water officials and others to learn how the region and the state are addressing contamination as well as exploring alternatives to these chemicals to protect future water supplies.

4. We’re Prepared for this Drought. What About the Next One?

The drought has returned to California. Some say it never left. We write about the drought emergency declaration back in May, tying it to the impacts of climate change and the need for water resiliency solutions such as Delta Conveyance. 

5. Watch Stormwater Workshop 2021 Webinar Video On Demand

Our August 10, 2021 workshop on “A Strategic Approach to Integrate Stormwater and Sewer Systems” continues to pull in viewers interested in learning about stormwater projects and programs in Southern California meant to increase water supply, improve water quality, and bring community benefits. Our expert panel discusses issues of groundwater recharge or direct use as well as a guide for cities on how to implement the strategy and how to approach wastewater agencies about working together.

6. New Magazine Highlights Inland Empire Water Leadership

As a part of the SCWC’s commitment to regional water sustainability and education, we have added a new local publication to our many community outreach efforts. As a part of a partnership with the publishers of California Water Inland Empire, the SCWC has released an issue of the magazine filled with the latest news and topics in regional water. Featured water agencies included Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Western Municipal Water District, Eastern Municipal Water District, Rancho California Water District, Rebuild Southern California Partnership, Chino Basin Water Conservation District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, and East Valley Water District.

7. Watch on Demand: Equity, Access and Affordability in Water

Our expert panel on “Equity, Access and Affordability” in California water in July was also the launch of SCWC’s new Equity, Access and Affordability Task Force chaired by Anatole Falagan and Mayor Acquanetta Warren. Wherever you are in California, dealing with equity, access and affordability of water is going to take collaboration and coalition building. We believe Southern California Water Coalition is well-equipped to do this work, given the diversity of membership and the region we are in. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and facing this issue head-on, and so do many of you judging by this post’s popularity.

8. Women’s History Month Spotlight on Harriett Wieder

We highlight the work of SCWC Founder Harriett Wieder in this post with historical photos from her bold career as a resolute community organizer and politician. The former Huntington Beach mayor and the first female elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Wieder made a big splash in her career when she formed the Southern California Water Coalition in 1984, bringing together a diverse group of water professionals, corporations, agencies, and local governments for a noble purpose: to educate. 

9. Rewiring Water Conservation for Energy

Our Water-Energy Efficiency Task Force published its white paper on the connection between water and energy conservation in April 2020. It continues to drive traffic to the SCWC website almost two years later for the links it makes between water and energy utilities exploring the reduction of resource consumption and tips for effective collaboration.

SCWC released its 2020 white paper, “Rewiring Water Conservation for Energy”

10. Fact Sheet Showcases Three Decades of Water Resiliency Planning in Southern California

After a great deal of research and collaboration, the SCWC released an informative fact sheet detailing the path to California’s water resiliency over the past three decades. The fact sheet was a product of the minds and contributions of our dedicated SCWC members, who helped put the document together. Comprised of graphs, graphics, and educative blurbs, the fact sheet aims to give readers a more thorough understanding of problems facing California water resiliency, proven and effective strategies, and the role a diversified water resources portfolio plays.

The post Best Articles: Top 10 Most Read Posts in 2021 appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

More than 300 people registered for the event to hear from our expert panel:

• Newsha Ajami, Director of Urban Water Policy, Stanford University Water in the West program
• Paul Cook, General Manager, Irvine Ranch Water District
• Heather Dyer, General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
• Erik Ekdahl, Deputy Director, State Water Resources Control Board
• Karla Nemeth, Director, California Dept. of Water Resources

The post Watch Drought: Are We Ready? Webinar Video On Demand appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Register HERE. It’s free!

Panelists:

• Newsha Ajami, Director of Urban Water Policy, Stanford University Water in the West program
• Paul Cook, General Manager, Irvine Ranch Water District
• Heather Dyer, General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
• Erik Ekdahl, Deputy Director, State Water Resources Control Board
• Karla Nemeth, Director, California Dept. of Water Resources

Founding Sponsors:

• County of San Bernardino
• Inland Empire Utilities Agency
• Irvine Ranch Water District
• Los Angeles County Public Works
• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
• Water Replenishment District of Southern California
• West Basin Municipal Water District

The post Register Now for SCWC’s Drought: Are We Ready? Webinar on April 29 appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.