With freak showers hitting the area this weekend, rainwater harvesting is back in the news. One rainwater storage system featured in the Sacramento Bee this past weekend can save homeowners up to 2,800 gallons of water annually and costs about $5,000. For homeowners looking for simpler, inexpensive ways to harvest the rain, some point to the low-tech practices that have long been used in the Southwest and parts of the South, not to mention in countries such as Japan, Germany and Australia. Interestingly, though, even rainwater harvesters promote simpler water conservation methods as the ideal first choice for reducing use.

For ideas on how you can conserve water at home, work or school, click here!

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Here’s something pretty cool: The U.S. Geological Survey is now making real-time water quality data available online for more than 1,300 of the nation’s watersheds.  The data, which ranges from streamflow to water temperature, ph levels and turbidity, is posted on their new “WaterQualityWatch” website. From the press release:

“Real-time water information is breaking new ground in science and technology and is proving to be very useful, helping local water managers make important daily decisions, such as regarding drinking water, water treatment, recreation, and public safety on beaches throughout the U.S.” said Matthew Larsen, USGS Acting Associate Director for Water.

The public also uses the on-line data to decide whether conditions, such as water temperature or turbidity, are favorable for recreational activities such as fishing, boating or swimming.  

Although the USGS does not yet provide data on the water quality of the Central Groundwater Basin, we look forward to the expansion of their program to include coverage of our region. If you’re interested in learning more about your local water quality, visit our website.

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The LA Times this week looks at how ever-shrinking budgets are forcing schools across the country to cut classroom field trips. Apparently, this national decline in field trips could get worse in California, with Gov. Arnold Scharwzenegger’s proposed budget cutting about $4.8 billion in education funding this year and the next. (Click here for the full article.)

In the face of these cuts, Central Basin continues to keep science education alive in local classrooms by offering free education programs for grades K-12. From fun field trips to the Round House Marine Lab & Aquarium, to traveling sea labs and scholarship opportunities for college-bound students, Central Basin offers it all, free of charge for participating schools.  

Click here to learn more about the award-winning programs that have helped more than 100,000 students learn about water awareness since the early 1990s.

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Here’s an interesting news clip that crossed my inbox:

ABC News looks at a study being done by the Sierra Fund on how the quality of California’s water is threatened by toxins leftover from the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. This is yet another reminder of the importance of statewide projects in protecting regional water quality. In the Central Basin service area, one of our most important water quality projects made big strides this week in the Senate Committee. Read more here. (video behind the cut)

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Jones Tract Levee 2004

The Aquafornia blog today posted a couple fascinating articles on how for the most part, the condition of our nation’s levees are unknown. Managing this data is the job of the Army Corps of Engineers, a federal agency that is admittedly struggling to get their “arms around this issue”–an issue that couldn’t be more pressing than in California. To see the full Aquafornia blog post, click here.

From the Associated Press and Forbes Magazine:

Across America, earthen flood levees protect big cities and small towns, wealthy suburbs and rich farmland. But the Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that oversees levees, lacks an inventory of thousands of them and has no idea of their condition, the corps’ chief levee expert told The Associated Press.The uncertainty, amid an unusually wet spring that has already caused significant flooding across many states, is creating worry even within the corps. “We have to get our arms around this issue and understand how many levees there are in the country, who’s watching over them, what populations and properties are behind them,” Eric Halpin, the corps’ special assistant for dam and levee safety, said in an interview last month. “What is the risk posed to the public?”

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For us Californians, the month of May is all about water. Not only is it the state’s official Water Awareness Month, but this week our fellow Americans have joined us in celebrating National Drinking Water Week (May 4-10).

Raising awareness about the challenges facing our water supply could not be timelier. Last Thursday, it was announced that the Sierra Nevade snowpack had dropped to 67% of normal — down from 116% just two months before — due to a dry March and April. Given the seriousness of the situation, local voices are now speaking out:

In the LA Times Opinion Section, former California Governors George
Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis share their thoughts on the need for a statewide water supply plan to secure the California economy.

Similarly, the Executive Editor of The Grunion Gazette, provides his thoughts on how Southland cities should follow Long Beach in aggressive conservation measures.

Finally, if you’re interested in some “simple math” to curb your outdoor water use, Raul Saenz, Operations Manager of California American Water’s LA District, offers useful facts in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

To promote awareness locally, this week Central Basin launched an online Conservation Giveaway. If you’d like to get your special gift, email us now…they’re going fast!

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The Long Beach Water Department has announced the four winners of its “Water Waster” video contest. From the press release, all were “Epic” videos submitted by talented residents and students in the Long Beach area. Each of the 30-second videos will be viewable this summer, airing as public service announcements in between your favorite cable shows. Until then, view the winners on YouTube Here!  

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The Los Angeles Times today looks at the likelihood that we will be rationing our water supply as soon as this summer. According to the article, the Sierra Nevada snowpack has shrunk 67% of normal, down sharply from 97% in March, the worst shortage state officials have seen in 30 years. See the full article here.

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The Central Basin Board of Directors voted today to support two state assembly bills, a motion that reflects the District’s longstanding commitment to community-building through resource advocacy. See below for a summary of these bills and their potential impact on your community.

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In addition to co-hosting the region’s largest annual Earth Day Celebration in Whittier,(Click here for pictures of Earth Day 2008) Central Basin works with local cities and community groups to celebrate Earth Day throughout the month of April. If you’re in the area this weekend, here are two free, family events worth checking out on Saturday, April 16:

City of Bellflower’s 6th Annual Earth Day

Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

Location: Simms Park

City of South Gate’s 3rd Annual Earth Day

Time: 8:00am - 12:oopm

Location: South Gate Park

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