California's Water Crisis. Why?

[oscilloscope]

Quite relevant, and quite an interesting film: FLOW, a new documentary about the water crisis, will be released in September in the US. Check out the trailer, it speaks for itself:

YouTube - FLOW - Official Theatrical Trailer

YouTube - FLOW - Official Theatrical Trailer

[Godiva]

Aguirre questions Sanders on water plans.

No wonder Sanders disparages recycling.

"The council voted to move ahead on a “demonstration project” at the North City Water Reclamation Plant last year, overriding a Sanders veto, but cost is now an issue. Sanders wants to raise sewer rates to fund the council-approved project, but Aguirre says that's unnecessary."

"Aguirre suggested Sanders is embracing one conservation approach over another inappropriately, delaying the City Council's plans to pursue a pilot project to turn treated wastewater into drinking water because of “close ties” to a company touting an alternate technology to desalinate ocean water.

Poseidon Resources will appear before the California Coastal Commission tomorrow seeking approval to build a plant in Carlsbad to desalinate 50 million gallons of ocean water a day. Sanders called it “a critical project for our region” last week at a news conference with six other local mayors."

[richard schumacher]

What silliness. They will soon need both approaches. Start with the one that can be built faster.

[KD6HDX]

Hello to all,

Hello PC'ers - It's been awhile since I posted anything here on PC.

Last night we met with a landscaper and decided to greenlight a project in the frontyard. The grass will be removed, native california succulents and cacti will be arranged around a hardscape and decomposed granite areas. We are removing non native species of shrubs, trees and other foliage around the front yard. Lots of sand, river rock and other materials will be added to create a southwestern style look. Castle blocks will be arranged to create two terrace levels. Cost will be about $7,500. We are using some of our tax returns from 06 and 07 to fund this work. Whoo hoo. No more lawn choppers and string trimmers. I recently had a shoulder surgery and bicep tendon work done, so my shoulder will not miss any of this silly ritual of keeping the grass green like the rest of the neighbors. I used to have over 7,000 square feet of fescue in the back and front yards. We enjoyed it for years, but will move on to something new. Maybe a walking track in the backyard if my wife has her wishes come true.

This friday, our city of Chino Hills (earthquake city) is going to implement water policies that will fine residents for leaky sprinkler systems, car washing with a running hose, and other restrictions. Last year we killed off all the grass in the backyard ( a little over 5,000 square feet) and we will be looking at landscaping / xeriscaping / hardscaping the same in the backyard soon.

On a non related side note. We recently lost commercial power at our house due to Edison working on underground feeder cables in our neighborhood. Since we have a Bosch tankless water heater, we could not take a shower with hot water. No problem here, I just hooked up my backup auxiliary prius battery to a 300 watt DC to AC inverter and plugged in the Bosch. We had plenty of hot water flowing for our showers. I have kept the small aux battery on a float charger in the garage for over a year now. After the shower was over, I used it to power my ham radios for about an hour. I ran low power (QRP) and was able to communicate on ten meters(28.400 Mhz) to Washington state, Oregon and Vancouver island using only 5 watts of RF power from my Yaesu radios. Whoo-Hoo

Our 05 Prius is at 95,000 miles and still running strong. We average about 52 MPG.

We are thinking of buying the 2010 Prius with the solar panels on the roof when it comes out.

Ciao for now..

Dave KD6HDX

[hill]

But Dave, there aren't a whole lot of us here in So. Cal. that lust for the 'Chino' look . . . you know, rocks, tumbleweeds, rattlesnakes, cactus, etc . Hey, I've camped at the Salton Sea ... but it's not for everyone. That's why fake grass has become a decent alternative.

We just went out and bought front loaders (washer/dryer). My God ... pricy suckers, but they REALLY slam down the amount of water used. They say you could fill a moderate sized gunite backyard pool each year, with the water saved by one 'family' using a front load washer. Even so, the "pay-off" takes 8 or 9 years. We kept our last washer 13 years.

But our water company (Irvine Ranch water dist.) gives huge rebates, as does edison, and the gas company. That'll reduce our payoff period to a measly 5 years.

BTW, QRP? It aint real radio if it aint 1,500 watts ... power is, as power does
.

[KD6HDX]

Chino is east of me. We live in Chino Hills.
Dirty 909'er in da house. We can see the prison from here!! The Chino look will hold us over until retirement when we move to a ranch in New Mexico. Then the desert dream will be alive. There are lizards around here,and Preying Mantis'sss in the bushes too. I feel kind of bad for the mantis'ssss, we're losing the bushes. Hell, there are even some rare burrowing owls in Chino Hills State Park. Forgot what frequency they were on. Did you ever listen for tagged wildlife animals on migration studies? I know there is another thread on burrowing owls right now, but proably no ham nerd there that would actually listen for their signals.....maybe I'm wrong.

Front loaders are nice, I have a friend who's had them since they first came out. They look good, pretty penny but worth it I guess. We could use a new washer, but the old one keeps hummin'

Power is nice, but I have camped many times with a friend who amazes me with his QRP contacts on micro antennas / buddy poles etc. He has bagged rare islands and russian contacts too.

I have 400 watts of SSB power for 2 meters horizontally, and 100 watts vertically plus its switchable polarity.. Satellite contacts are fun, 10 watts and you can work some birds in FM with a good eggbeater antenna. Who needs power?

I heard a news story about high lead levels in artificial turf being installed right now. Not sure if its true? Guess it only matters if you roll around in it, I wonder what dog-water does to artificial turf?

Power is nice from a Ku-band mobile uplink to illuminate a commercial satellite for news feeds and live shots. I agree, power is nice, especially in the microwave bands.

73

[Godiva]

Not only does Sprawl contribute to the water crisis, but also gas shortages, production of green house gasses from long automobile commutes, etc.

Legislature takes aim at urban sprawl and global warming

The legislation, SB 375, would offer incentives to steer public funds away from sprawled development. The state spends about $20 billion a year on transportation, and under the new law, projects that meet climate goals would get priority.

An earlier version of the bill was blocked last year by the building industry and by organizations representing cities and counties. Developers feared their suburban projects would be delayed or halted. Local officials were wary of ceding zoning powers and transportation planning to the state.

But momentum for the legislation has grown as the state seeks to implement its landmark 2006 global warming law, which would slash California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a 30% cut from expected emissions. To accomplish that, state officials say, fuel-efficient cars and factories won't be enough. Subdivisions, commercial centers and highways must be planned so that Californians can live and work closer together, reducing the amount they drive.

"Our communities must change the way they grow," Steinberg said.

My guess is this is going to create higher density by eliminating things like....lawns. Now without yards, edible estates will be more difficult. But hopefully community gardens will increase. This will also stop the building in urban, high fire-risk zones and some of the other problems. Living close to where you work is always desirable...if you can afford it and there is housing available.

Looks like it will be linking community planning to public transportation to the global warming bill that was passed.

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

Originally Posted by Godiva

Not only does Sprawl contribute to the water crisis, but also gas shortages, production of green house gasses from long automobile commutes, etc.

Legislature takes aim at urban sprawl and global warming

I'm all for this!

What I am not for is Southern California sucking up more water from the North.
Why aren't there severe outcries from the people of the South to live within their geographic means? Why are they still watering laws, golf courses, back yard pools, fountains, etc?

I'll tell you why . . . they want to suck more water from elsewhere.

This monster broke through the mountain just yesterday . . .
VIDEO:
Sidebar Video


Los Angeles | Huge Tunnel Boring Machine Surfaces

. . . part of their infrastructure improvement plan to suck even more Delta water at the expense of the natural environment.

[avocadoman1]

Originally Posted by avocadoman1

the local water district. i believe that most water district/municipalities in the state have reduced the water available to agriculture due to the Judge Wanger rulings (Delta fish). google Judge Wanger and you'll get a good read!

so each month i have an allocated amount based on the 06-07 year. i get to roll-over any saved amount to the next month. if i go over the allocated amount (whic i have not thus far), they'll install a flow restrictor.

the water officials went to agriculture first because we receive a volume discount on our water. in exchange for that discount, we're the first to get reduced/allocated.

presently, the residential customer is not under any type of allocation. however, the story goes that if residential is required to reduce by 10% in 2009, our reduction will increase further to 40%.



it's the nature of our soil. it's very sandy soil so the drip will not spread enough. however, if you know something that the avocado agricultural experts don't, i suggest you get involved and discuss your ideas.

i'm not here to argue with you about what's best, i just know what all the other avo farmers do throughout San Diego county.
i've heard that in central Calif, some groves are successful w/ drip. but not in san diego county.

bottom line, agriculture throughout the state will produce less in the next 12 months due to less available water. that will result in a price increase at your retail stores.

News from the California - Metropolitan Water District which supplies water to most of the state.
- the agricultural water discount is going away
- that is, all agriculture will pay the same rate for water as a residential customer (about 20% more)
- in return, agriculture will get all of the water that residential customers get

what it means...
- i can continue to grow all my crops, but it will cost me more
- i will be able to stay in business as long as the market price of my fruit goes up accordingly, which means higher prices to the end consumer
- in addition to paying 20% more for water, the MWD (and my local district) will probably increase the cost of water for residential customers beginning Jan-09 (10-15%)
- so, i'll pay 20% more for the privilege of getting the same amount as residential customers, and then i'll pay about 15% more (+35% total) because of the anticipated price increase
- finally...it is expected that residential customers (and me) will be subject to a 10% required cutback on water in 2009

Bottom Line...pay more, get less. and hopefully for me, the cost of my fruit will go up for you at store level. however, if the cost of fruit does not go up for you, well then, i'll be outta business in short order.

[tripp]

Sounds like the price of water in a rather semi-arid area is finally starting to cost what it's worth. Ag folks in CA are going to have to invest in more efficient irrigation or get new jobs, or charge more for their product. Tough times, but CA is under the cosh. Has there been a lot of talk about desalination plants out there. Seems the only band-aid that can possibly maintain the status quo.