Water agencies seeking funding for California groundwater projects, including recharge and banking projects can be encouraged by the history of the SMARTWater program’s past awards supporting California groundwater projects. Funded projects included: Recharge and banking differ only by whose water is being recharged. Recharge is generally any surface water supply stored as groundwater for later
Construction of the Western Hemisphere’s largest seawater desal facility is expected to start in early 2013 after the San Diego County Water Authority approved the purchase of water produced by the plant. The purchase agreement cleared the way for the sale of bonds to finance the fully permitted project. The plant will produce enough water
Creating a self-reliant mutual water company to serve development could avoid annexation approvals by public water purveyors and the politics associated with those approvals. Developing large properties using a site’s own water resources may become an increasingly attractive option for developers. A number of factors — early melt of Sierra snowpack, persistent drought in the
A key element of the Recycled Water Policy adopted by the California Water Resources Control Board is developing salt and nutrient management plans for every groundwater basin by 2014. A two-year extension to 2016 is possible if substantial progress is being made). The plans are intended to protect groundwater from accumulating salt and nutrient concentrations
Analyzing surface water issues when evaluating a solar site for development can play a pivotal role in successfully entitling, permitting, and operating a project. The following outlines three key considerations. Surface Water Analysis Requires Thorough Hydrology and Hydraulics Due Diligence Hydrology and hydraulics surface water analysis should go beyond a simple Federal Emergency Management Agency
Faced with increasing water quality regulations and tightening budgets, 21 co-permittees in San Diego are developing a strategic approach to guide water quality programs over the next 20 years. As most in the field of water resources are aware, the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) was promulgated to address sources of pollution contributing to the
Recycled water purveyors who are finding more customer demand for their product face a potential new environmental challenge. Wetlands created by the discharge of excess recycled water can be adversely impacted as the water diminishes. “Often times, the discharge provides a water source for wetlands that otherwise would not have been present, especially in the
In 1986 underground storage tanks were discovered to be leaking at a gas station within the City of Seal Beach. Over the next 23 years, site cleanup was a low priority according to Regional Water Quality Control Board policies. The site’s unsuccessful clean-up efforts included removing the tanks, drilling groundwater monitoring wells, and sporadic remediation
Sustainable water supply is a crucial factor when seeking approval to build and operate renewable energy projects in remote California locations. With municipal water infrastructure and surface water sources typically not available, groundwater is often the most practical water supply option for construction and long-term operations. However, groundwater is subject to increasingly complex assessment requirements
