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September 29, 2003 Quote of the Day  "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." John Lennon Today is the birthday of Madeline Kahn, Mike Post, Bryant Gumbel, Andrew "Dice" Clay, and Emily Lloyd. On this day in 1957, The New York Giants played their last game at the Polo Grounds. The next year the Giants were in San Francisco. Don't miss the new job posting below, and plenty of news too. Enjoy! Sent to over 10,000 readers nationwide! Latest postings: Contra Costa Water District: Associate Engineer (Planning Dept.) MWD of Southern California: Assistant Resource Specialist City of Glendale: Water System Mechanic Water Authority of Volusia, Fla.: Executive Director East Orange County Water District: General Manager Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District: Water Treatment Operator III Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District: Water Production Operator II Want more? See all postings. Today's News —  Water Supply News CalFed water bill approved by House panel (Water Tech Online, 09/27) "A House panel has approved the mammoth CalFed water bill, though the most serious questions remain unanswered and the political prospects remain in doubt, the Fresno Bee reported." Report: IID, Interior settle water order lawsuit (IV Press, 09/27) "The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors and the Department of the Interior have reportedly reached an agreement ending the lawsuit over this year's IID water order." Monterey water fight heats up (Monterey Herald, 09/27) "Feeling that its power is being undermined, the Peninsula's water authority is trying to assert control over the Seaside Basin, the major groundwater reserve under the Monterey Peninsula." Agency OKs purchase of Imperial Valley water (LA Times, 09/27) "The county water agency unanimously approved a 75-year deal on Thursday to buy water from Imperial Valley."  Water plant taps McCloud (Redding Record Searchlight, 09/28) "Palais didn't elaborate on the McCloud plant's operation plan, including how Nestle will draw the water from natural springs. He said that would be discussed at Monday's meeting. Campa said the plant would tap water from one of three natural springs north of town from which the district gets its water. The district has 700 connections that serve the majority of the town's 1,300 residents, Campa said." As rural water systems fail, locals worry _ and lay pipelines (SF Chronicle, 09/28) "The city park in this small town looks like it's home to a huge mole. Twin mounds of dirt poke up from the grass between the pavilion and playground. Another dirt pile protrudes from the crumpled sidewalk near the front of City Hall." Sonoma County Water Agency raises fears of shortages (Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 09/28) "With plans to expand the region's drinking water supply held up by a lawsuit and concerns about imperiled fish, the Sonoma County Water Agency is warning cities and water districts not to rely on a larger water supply for new homes and businesses." Southern Nevada water officials authorize study (Contra Costa Times, 09/28) "Southern Nevada water officials have approved $160,000 for a study on the economic effect of restricting urban growth in the Las Vegas area." New well in High Desert unlocking deep secrets (San Bernardino Sun, 09/28) "The High Desert's deepest water well is expected to unlock mysteries about the depth of the aquifer under the Victor Valley and reveal its groundwater levels and water quality." San Joaquin water bill sits unsigned on Davis' desk (Stockton Record, 09/29) "San Joaquin County's chances of winning state grants to fix its overdrafted aquifer would improve if Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill on his desk, supporters of the bill say."  —  Desalination News Tiny mussels fouling Tampa Bay desalination plant (The Ledger, 09/27) "Tiny mussels are so badly gumming up Tampa Bay's $110-million desalination plant that its builder is now seeking help from former competitors to finally finish the project." —  Salton Sea News Will Salton Sea stay on USFilter’s radar after sale? (The Desert Sun, 09/29) "The company that suggested Wall Street sensibility could relieve the environmental plight of the Salton Sea is being packaged for sale to the highest bidder." —  Klamath Update California, tribe, fishermen mark one year since fish kill (Contra Costa Times, 09/27) "State officials, commercial fishermen and a Northwest California Indian tribe marked the anniversary of one of the nation's worst fish kills Friday by renewing criticism of the Bush administration's policies for the Klamath River."  —  Water Quality News Santa Clara Valley officials say water safe, despite smell (Mercury News, 09/27) "The water may taste a little weird in South San Jose neighborhoods today, but Santa Clara Valley Water District officials say it's safe to drink -- if you can get past the rotten-egg smell."  Pollutant headed toward Rialto well (Riverside P/E, 09/27) "New tests show that an underground plume of pollution that has fouled drinking water supplies in the San Bernardino Valley is moving toward another well used by Rialto." —  Proposition 53 Measure diverts funds to roads, colleges (Contra Costa Times, 09/26) "Proposition 53 asks voters to set aside up to 3 percent of the state general fund for infrastructure, a fancy word for unglamorous items such as sewer pipes, road repairs and water system upgrades." Water bill endorsed for California special election (Water Tech Online, 09/27) "The United Water Conservation District Board of Directors has formally endorsed Proposition 53, the proposed constitutional amendment that would set aside state budget dollars each year for California water infrastructure projects, the Santa Paula Times reported." Prop. 53's pros, cons considered (Riverside P/E, 09/27) "A proposition on next week's ballot would set aside state funds for the rebuilding of pockmarked roads, deteriorating sewer lines and other public works."  Voter's guide: Proposition 53 (Sacramento Bee, 09/28) "California's inventory of public works includes 32 lakes and reservoirs, 660 miles of canals and pipelines, and 1,595 miles of levees." Prop. 53: Paying for Infrastructure (LA Times, 09/28) "Both opponents and supporters agree that the goal of Proposition 53 is worthy: to modernize, strengthen and expand the stuff that makes California work, such as roads, bridges, hospitals, aqueducts and courthouses. They just don't agree that Prop. 53 is a smart way to do it." Few dispute need for state's repairs (Mercury News, 09/28) "Proposition 53 on the ballot would earmark up to 3 percent of the state general fund for infrastructure repairs." —  EPA Regulations Study: Net gain from pollution rules (MSNBC, 09/27) "A new White House study concludes that environmental regulations are well worth the costs they impose on industry and consumers, resulting in significant public health improvements and other benefits to society. The findings overturn a previous report that officials now say was defective." EPA weighs easing toxic disclosures (MSNBC, 09/27) "The government is studying ways to ease requirements for industry to report the toxic chemicals they put into the environment. Industry has been asking for flexibility, which environmentalists fear will lead to weakened protections." —  River News The costs of river cleanup (Long Beach Press-Telegram, 09/27) Opinion: "No one argues that cleaning up the Los Angeles River isn't a top priority. However, there is room to disagree on how much local taxpayers will be asked to fund the effort in an era of state revenue raiding of city budgets." —  Wastewater and Runoff New storm water runoff plan is approved (LA Times, 09/27) "Water quality officials Friday approved a revised plan to reduce storm water runoff from construction projects in Orange County, easing the fears of environmentalists who claimed last month that their views were not reflected in the proposed regulations." Santa Paula faces millions in fines (Ventura County Star, 09/27) "Santa Paula faces millions of dollars in fines because the town's World War II-era sewer plant has repeatedly violated environmental standards for wastewater discharged into the Santa Clara River." —  Meetings Sacramento water project on agenda (Sacramento Bee, 09/29) "The public is invited to attend a meeting tonight to discuss a proposed four-story water intake structure and a 15-mile-long pipeline on the Sacramento River south of the Pocket area and Meadowview neighborhoods in Sacramento." Headwaters To Oceans (H2O) - Integrating Rivers, Wetlands, and Coastlines in an Urban Environment (California Coastal Coalition, 09/17) October 23-25 "The California Shore and Beach Preservation Association (CSBPA), the California Coastal Coalition (CalCoast), the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project and the Society of Wetland Scientists (Western Chapter) have organized a major coastal conference, to be held in Long Beach, CA October 23-25, 2003." 24th Biennial Groundwater Conference (GRAC News Release, 09/17) October 28-29 "For 48 years, the Biennial Groundwater Conference has provided policy-makers, practitioners, researchers, and educators the opportunity to learn about the current policies, regulations, and technical challenges affecting the use and management of groundwater in California. The theme of the 24th Biennial Groundwater Conference is "The Role of Groundwater in Integrated Water Management" and will emphasize the interconnected nature of water resources at basin-wide, regional, and global scales. Presentations will explore the role of groundwater in formulating water policies, planning and managing water resources, and optimizing beneficial uses."  Call for papers: 3RD International Engineering and Construction Conference (ASCE News Release, 09/17) July 30, 2004 "Papers are solicited on various international and domestic engineering or affiliated scientific projects on topics related to: Engineering Analysis and Design; Project Management; Codes & Standards of Practice; Quality Control & Resource Constraints; Construction Engineering; Bidding & Contract Administration; Project Financing and Procurement; Risk Assessment and Management; Legal, Ethical and Cultural Issues; Environmental Impacts and Mitigation; Design/Build and/or Operate Projects, Scheduling and Project Delivery. Deadline for Abstracts: October 31, 2003." —  Local/Agency News Customers can come first, if water agencies plan carefully (Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 09/27) Opinion: "The Cucamonga County Water District (CCWD), like others referenced in recent articles, has also recently adopted a change in our rate structure; however, unlike other agencies, our rate increase is substantially smaller than those being proposed by neighboring water providers."   About the California Water News The California Water News is a weekday e-mail with links to current news stories in the California water resources industry.  Subscription is free to qualified persons!  Please go to our subscription page to subscribe.  For more information, you can also see some frequently asked questions. Referrals to new subscribers are welcome, as are suggestions for new links, news stories, opinion pieces, and your agency's press releases.   Any documents you e-mail me may be published on our web site and linked to from the News, subject to editorial discretion. Ken Harlow Brown and Caldwell 400 Exchange, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92602 714-689-4852