Central Basin headquarters in Commerce.

At Central Basin headquarters, we’re excited about our new-and-improved landscaping, which got underway this week. Our site is being redesigned to transform our current water-intensive landscaping into a garden that’s drought-tolerant and filled with California-friendly plants. We’re committed to water conservation, and we think this garden will be a great way to demonstrate it. It will also be a huge money-saver for the District because of the lower watering and landscape maintenance costs.

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The Department of Water Resources (DWR) says we must “prepare now” for a dry 2010, allocating only 5% of total contracted water deliveries to State Water Project (SWP) contractors.

A thirsty Lake Oroville

What does this mean? SWP provides water to businesses, homes and farmers, mostly located in Central and Southern California. According to DWR, under the 5% allocation, only 200,000 of the total 4 million acre-feet of water that has been requested, will be delivered.

“Five percent sends a very strong message that the state is in a water crisis,” said Central Basin’s general manager, Art Aguilar.  In fact, California’s water woes may take the national scene in the near future: Rep. Grace Napolitano said last week she is planning a congressional hearing in Southern California to examine what steps to take in the water situation.

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Recently, a $10 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was approved to help clean up the LA River, and last week, the Los Angeles Gateway Authority took the first major step in helping cities do their part to help stop the pollution.

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Central Basin’s Southeast Water Reliability Project (SWRP) was covered in today’s Whittier Daily News.

It’s an exciting time for the City of Pico Rivera, whose schools, parks, and other irrigation sites will have access to a reliable, local recycled water source through Phase 1 of SWRP.

Find out more about our exciting recycled water project and our partnership with the City of Pico Rivera and let us know what you think!

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In California, we know all too well what a drought feels like, but did you know that experts anticipate water shortages to affect more than 40% of the world population by 2050?

In an exhilarating trip down the Colorado River, Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk takes viewers on a journey through one of the nation’s largest water resources. As the world population continues to grow, it’s more and more important that we step up our conservation efforts now.

Check out the movie trailer here:

The film was released on World Water Day in March 2008, and has played at IMAX theaters around the world since. Check it out and tell us what you think!

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After an all-night legislative session last week, the much-anticipated Delta Bill package emerged Wednesday. Governor Schwarzenegger promised to sign the five bills into law, praising the package that finally overhauls California’s antiquated water system.

What’s inside the package: the legislation creates greater oversight of the Delta, supporting its restoration; requires water users to measure groundwater levels and report their usage; and puts forth an $11.14 billion general obligation bond on the ballot next November. Significantly, the package includes important means for increasing water conservation that includes imposing a mandate for cities to lower their water usage 20% by 2020.

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A new study released by the U.S. Geological Survey finds that per capita water usage is at a record low. This decrease is thanks to new water-saving technologies and renewed conservation efforts across the nation, according to an Associated Press report.

Local areas continue to report record low water uses.  In Pasadena, water usage was down 12% in the months of July and August compared to the same months last year.  In Long Beach, water demand in September 2009 came in at over 16% below average.  The City of Signal Hill also reports over 9% reduction compared to the past three years.

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Intense activity continues in the legislature as the Senate and Assembly move closer to a water deal.  Discussions will continue into next week, with a possible vote.

Legislation introduced by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg addresses policy proposal on water conservation, groundwater reporting and water rights enforcement. Separate water bond proposals were introduced by Democrats and Republicans earlier this week:  http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=ydgw3dwvc41ngd  Read the rest of this entry »

News from Sacramento continues to report some progress on a water agreement, with some anticipation of votes in the Legislature next week, according to an update from Capitol Weekly.

Compromise is close with issues that include areas of origin, which refers to the transportation of water from northern to southern California, along with legal definitions of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. A Mercury News report charts many of the remaining policy disagreements.

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The Assembly informational hearing on the 2009 Delta Water Legislation is now tentatively scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2009.  The Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee is still considering whether to proceed on its own with a hearing tomorrow, October 21.  Next week’s hearing most likely will include both the Senate and Assembly.

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