ACWA e-News for January 11, 2012

The value of a clean and reliable water source is front and center in the latest issue of Water for Tomorrow magazine, which reaches subscribers this week.  

Produced by ACWA in partnership with National Geographic Custom Publishing, the magazine features a variety of features, fun facts and interviews designed to educate and inform Californians about the state’s water supply and delivery system.

ACWA-opposed legislation to reduce the size of the 2012 water bond and prohibit construction of a peripheral canal without legislative approval failed passage in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on Jan. 10.

The Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey will hold a two-day workshop to present datasets used for the Central Valley Hydrologic Model.

The workshop will be presented in four parts over the two days: 1) Hydrogeologic Framework, 2) Surface Water and Climate, 3) Irrigated Agriculture, and 4) Model Observations and Ways to Move Forward. 

Reusing municipal wastewater could significantly increase the nation’s available water supplies, according to a new report from the National Research Council.

Sponsored by federal agencies, local water districts and private research foundations, the report also found that with recent advances in technology, the possible health risks of exposure to chemical contaminants and disease-causing microbes may actually be lower than the risks of existing water supplies.

Do you know someone who has exhibited exceptional leadership skills in California water? Has your agency created an outstanding project or program in water resources management?

Consider submitting a nomination or entry for ACWA’s Excellence in Water Leadership Award or Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence.

Clair Hill Award

The Delta region will undergo tremendous change in the coming decades that will have broad effects on land use, employment and economic activity, the Public Policy Institute of California says in a report released this month.

A new agreement aimed at protecting endangered species while streamlining the infrastructure permitting process has been signed between state and federal wildlife agencies and the San Diego County Water Authority.

Though jobs and the economy are clearly dominant issues today, voters remain concerned about the state's water supply and agree California should make major investments to upgrade and modernize our water supply system, writes ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn in the Sacramento Bee today.

Read the full opinion-editorial piece.

Gov. Jerry Brown today proposed a state budget for 2012-’13 that includes steep spending cuts, seeks to increase local flexibility and decision making and calls for investments in water supply reliability, high-speed rail and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Released at a hastily called news conference after the proposal was inadvertently posted on the Department of Finance website, the budget aims to close a projected $9.2 billion shortfall in 2012-’13 through $10.3 billion in proposed cuts and the establishment of a $1.1 billion reserve.

The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that additional water is available for south-of-delta Central Valley Project contractors through a temporary water service contract.

The federal share of San Luis Reservoir, which totals about 965,000 acre-feet, filled on Jan. 2, and current CVP water demands in the south-of-delta service area are less than the operational and export capability at the Jones Pumping Plant, the Bureau said in a statement.

Citing unusually dry conditions over the past month, CAL FIRE officials are warning of increased fire danger and canceling planned burn days in some areas.

On top of drier than normal conditions, high wind events and low humidity have increased the danger of fire over the past month, CAL FIRE Director Ken Pimlott said in a written statement. As a result, crews responded to an unusually high number of wildfires in December.

The deadline to submit project pre-proposals for 2012 Conservation Innovation Grants from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service is Tues., Jan. 31.

Pre-proposals support large-scale demonstration projects that test and prove original approaches to conserving America's private lands.

This year's CIG projects focus on nutrient management, energy conservation, soil health, wildlife and CIG projects assessment.

NRCS is especially interested in projects that demonstrate:

The deadline to participate in ACWA's social media survey has been extended to Friday, Jan. 27.

Initiated by ACWA’s Technology Subcommittee, the survey aims to gather information on how public water agencies are using social media and websites.

Results of the survey will be used to provide examples and best practices to agencies not currently in the social media space. One completed survey per agency is preferred.