At 11am, scientists from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) began taking their final snow survey of the 2008-2009 water season at Phillips Station (near Lake Tahoe). The samples they pull will tell us if our reservoirs will finally start getting replenished…or if we’re in for another dry year. Results from today’s survey will be posted by 1pm today. Visit the DWR website for more information.

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Although there has been no connection between the Swine Flu and water quality, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is taking advantage of the current attention surrounding public health to provide important information about drinking water and utility planning. From the press release:

“AWWA notes that the disease must be transmitted through person-to-person contact or contact with a contaminated surface. Water that has been treated through conventional disinfection processes does not pose a risk, even if the source water has previously come into contact with infected people or animals.”

Visit the AWWA website to see the full press release

. And since we are on the topic, click here to view Swine Flu cases around the world.

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In the Op-Ed section of the LA Times on Sunday, Marc B. Haefele put the spotlight on gray water.  A topic first brought to our attention during the drought of the early 1990s, gray water refers to using the wastewater that comes from a home’s washing machines, showers and sinks for outdoor irrigation.

Haefele tells us how since the last major drought, “draconian permitting processes”  have prevented the success of early gray water pilot projects from gaining major traction. Still, while we may only have 200 permitted gray water systems statewide, Haefele’s sources estimate there are more than 1.7 million illegal systems throughout California.

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Echeveria subrigida

Some garden inspiration for Monday morning: The LA Times today posted a collection of photos that highlight the beauty and “va va voom” of a frontyard succulant garden in San Diego. As the LA Times puts it, this innovative garden “illustrates how low-water doesn’t have to mean personality-free.” Check out the photos here.

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The Omnibus Public Land Management of Act of 2009 (HR 146) was signed into law by President Obama on Monday, March 30! Read the President’s statement

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