This certainly is not a good news for San Diego City..
Memo warns of money shortage; delays could lead to fines, lawsuits
By Matthew T. Hall
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 2, 2004
San Diego's dire financial situation is no longer so abstract: The city has run out of money to pay for new water and wastewater projects, and it may have to scrap plans to fix fire and lifeguard stations next year.
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City Manager Lamont Ewell sent a memo to the mayor and City Council 15 minutes before City Hall closed last night, telling them that the city cannot begin an unspecified number of water and wastewater projects, including some that are needed to comply with orders from environmental regulators.
Ewell and Mayor Dick Murphy downplayed any immediate effects, but a prolonged stoppage could subject the city to fines from environmental agencies and lawsuits related to unclean drinking water and sewage spills.
Curtailing new projects will put the city out of compliance with an order from the state Department of Health Services at the end of this month when the city fails to begin the required replacing of a water main in Otay Mesa.
It's unclear what effect that will have, Ewell and Murphy said.
"I can't predict what the federal or state government might or might not do, but you'd think state government would understand the problems of limited financial resources," Murphy said last night.
The city went public with its fiscal crisis in January when it admitted errors and omissions had been made in 2002 financial disclosures.
Now, city finances are the subject of federal investigations, there are allegations of fraud and two annual audits are overdue. Two Wall Street credit-rating agencies also have downgraded the city's rating and a third has suspended it, crippling San Diego's ability to borrow money.
"This is a tangible effect of the problems the city's had with its financial statements," Murphy said. "That's a fair characterization. On the other hand, it's just not going to have any impact on the public in terms of water and sewer service." Read More...
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- City water projects in jeopardy
Friday, December 03, 2004
EPA/OPPT: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
EPA is putting Tax $$ to work on Lead....
Lead in the News
December 2004
* In support of its goal to eradicate lead poisoning by 2010, EPA has announced the availability of $750,000 to reduce lead poisoning in high risk areas. This new competitive grant program will provide funds for projects to: 1) address areas with high incidences of elevated blood-lead levels; 2) identify and address areas with high potential for heretofore undocumented elevated bloodlead levels; 3) develop tools to address unique and challenging issues in lead poisoning prevention; and/or 4) identify tools that are replicable and scalable for other areas.
A wide range of applicants may apply for these grants, including state and local governments, federally-recognized Indian Tribes and tribal consortia, territories, institutions of higher learning, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must represent areas with high incidences of elevated blood lead levels, or areas which do not have adequate blood lead monitoring data but which are likely to have high incidences of elevated blood lead levels. The December 1, 2004, Federal Register Notice describes eligibility, activities, application procedures and requirements, and evaluation criteria. The deadline for proposals is January 31, 2005.
Note: All environmental or health related measurements or data generation must adequately address the requirements of 40 CFR 31.45 related to quality assurance/quality control. To begin the process of developing the quality assurance documentation, you may choose to use this helpful template. Information on EPA Quality Assurance requirements may be downloaded from the EPA Quality System web site.
EPA/OPPT: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
Lead in the News
December 2004
* In support of its goal to eradicate lead poisoning by 2010, EPA has announced the availability of $750,000 to reduce lead poisoning in high risk areas. This new competitive grant program will provide funds for projects to: 1) address areas with high incidences of elevated blood-lead levels; 2) identify and address areas with high potential for heretofore undocumented elevated bloodlead levels; 3) develop tools to address unique and challenging issues in lead poisoning prevention; and/or 4) identify tools that are replicable and scalable for other areas.
A wide range of applicants may apply for these grants, including state and local governments, federally-recognized Indian Tribes and tribal consortia, territories, institutions of higher learning, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must represent areas with high incidences of elevated blood lead levels, or areas which do not have adequate blood lead monitoring data but which are likely to have high incidences of elevated blood lead levels. The December 1, 2004, Federal Register Notice describes eligibility, activities, application procedures and requirements, and evaluation criteria. The deadline for proposals is January 31, 2005.
Note: All environmental or health related measurements or data generation must adequately address the requirements of 40 CFR 31.45 related to quality assurance/quality control. To begin the process of developing the quality assurance documentation, you may choose to use this helpful template. Information on EPA Quality Assurance requirements may be downloaded from the EPA Quality System web site.
EPA/OPPT: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
Bottled Water Company Targets Restaurant
Drinking Bottled Water is good thing, But there are otherway to save money for drinking of filtered water..I would write later...
Bottled water company targets restaurant market
ADVANCE, NC � This week, bottled water maker Le Bleu Corporation launched an exclusively co-branded line of water with international restaurateur Phil Romano, according to a company news release.
"I wanted to be able to offer fine establishments the ultra pure, light & refreshing taste of Le Bleu Bottled Water in an upscale package that is a great accompaniment to fine food," Jerry Smith, president and CEO of Le Bleu, said in the release.
"Partnering with Phil Romano was a natural, considering his extensive restaurant expertise," Smith added. Read More...
News
Bottled water company targets restaurant market
ADVANCE, NC � This week, bottled water maker Le Bleu Corporation launched an exclusively co-branded line of water with international restaurateur Phil Romano, according to a company news release.
"I wanted to be able to offer fine establishments the ultra pure, light & refreshing taste of Le Bleu Bottled Water in an upscale package that is a great accompaniment to fine food," Jerry Smith, president and CEO of Le Bleu, said in the release.
"Partnering with Phil Romano was a natural, considering his extensive restaurant expertise," Smith added. Read More...
News
Thursday, December 02, 2004
The Seattle Times: Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
Positive action like these must be fast not till later..
Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
By Sanjay Bhatt
Seattle Times staff reporter
After months of deliberations, the Seattle School Board approved a new policy to ensure all schools have some of the cleanest school drinking water in the country — at a total cost of more than $12 million over the next three years.
The policy requires Superintendent Raj Manhas to report by March 10 on how he will execute it, establishes a citizen-oversight committee and ensures that future district levies will ask taxpayers for money to pay for water-quality projects.
Yesterday's action came almost a year after the board, confronted by Wedgwood Elementary School parents with orange water from the school, unanimously decided to test the district's drinking water.
Test results showed about one-quarter of fountains districtwide had lead levels of more than 20 parts per billion (ppb). That's the limit the federal government recommends, but doesn't require, for schools. More than a dozen district schools also had such high levels of iron in their drinking water that the district plans to replace all or a portion of their water pipes.
In the past year, officials from public-health agencies cautioned parents against overreacting to the lead levels and stressed it was unlikely the tainted water had hurt any child. Read More...
The Seattle Times: Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
By Sanjay Bhatt
Seattle Times staff reporter
After months of deliberations, the Seattle School Board approved a new policy to ensure all schools have some of the cleanest school drinking water in the country — at a total cost of more than $12 million over the next three years.
The policy requires Superintendent Raj Manhas to report by March 10 on how he will execute it, establishes a citizen-oversight committee and ensures that future district levies will ask taxpayers for money to pay for water-quality projects.
Yesterday's action came almost a year after the board, confronted by Wedgwood Elementary School parents with orange water from the school, unanimously decided to test the district's drinking water.
Test results showed about one-quarter of fountains districtwide had lead levels of more than 20 parts per billion (ppb). That's the limit the federal government recommends, but doesn't require, for schools. More than a dozen district schools also had such high levels of iron in their drinking water that the district plans to replace all or a portion of their water pipes.
In the past year, officials from public-health agencies cautioned parents against overreacting to the lead levels and stressed it was unlikely the tainted water had hurt any child. Read More...
The Seattle Times: Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
Grass Valley Natural Spring Water is Contaminated - The Union - News
You see once the ground is contaminated. It is naturally that Spring water will contaminated as well..
Cleanup mired in legal battle
Grass Valley, miners fight over contamination
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Becky Trout, beckyt@theunion.com
December 2, 2004
Grass Valley and the Newmont Mining Corporation remain locked in a legal struggle, neither willing to claim ownership or financial responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of gallons of contaminated water that flow into the city's wastewater treatment plant each day.
The mine discharge was discovered in 2000 as the wastewater treatment plant was undergoing expansion, Public Works Director Rudi Golnik said. The seepage was always considered a natural spring until its orange discoloration spurred workers to investigate its source.
They discovered the water stemmed from the vast underground network of tunnels leftover from the Northstar Mine, Golnik said. The city entered negotiations with Newmont, which has owned the mine since the 1930s.
After failing to agree how to stem the flow and split the costs, Grass Valley took the company to federal court. The case remains unresolved. Read More....The Union - News
Cleanup mired in legal battle
Grass Valley, miners fight over contamination
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Becky Trout, beckyt@theunion.com
December 2, 2004
Grass Valley and the Newmont Mining Corporation remain locked in a legal struggle, neither willing to claim ownership or financial responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of gallons of contaminated water that flow into the city's wastewater treatment plant each day.
The mine discharge was discovered in 2000 as the wastewater treatment plant was undergoing expansion, Public Works Director Rudi Golnik said. The seepage was always considered a natural spring until its orange discoloration spurred workers to investigate its source.
They discovered the water stemmed from the vast underground network of tunnels leftover from the Northstar Mine, Golnik said. The city entered negotiations with Newmont, which has owned the mine since the 1930s.
After failing to agree how to stem the flow and split the costs, Grass Valley took the company to federal court. The case remains unresolved. Read More....The Union - News
OregonLive.com: NewsFlash - Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
You see about 10% of US ground water has arsenic...This is a good news too..
Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
11/30/2004, 12:53 p.m. PT
The Associated Press
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — University of Oregon researchers have developed an arsenic "trap" that has the potential to clean up contaminated water or treat poisoning victims.
Arsenic is a chemical element and a naturally occurring poison that contaminates water supplies around the globe.
Darren Johnson, a chemistry professor, and graduate student Jake Vickaryous have created a molecule made of sulphur and carbon that hooks on to arsenic.
Three sulphur-based molecules join with two arsenic atoms to form a kind of pyramid-shaped molecule that's more stable than the sulphur molecule alone. Once locked into the structure Johnson describes as a "molecular claw," the arsenic does not combine with any other molecules.
If the molecule proves stable enough to avoid linking up with any other molecules, it could effectively remove arsenic from human tissue or offer a way to make arsenic-tainted wells safe for drinking water.
"One thing this could potentially do is provide some new environmental remediation and sensing tools," Johnson said.
The federal government currently requires that public water systems have no more than 50 parts per billion of lead and will reduce that to 10 parts per billion in 2006.
About 10 percent of U.S. groundwater has arsenic concentrations above 10 parts per billion, while 20 percent of the wells in the Willamette Valley exceed that level. Read More...
OregonLive.com: NewsFlash - Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
11/30/2004, 12:53 p.m. PT
The Associated Press
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — University of Oregon researchers have developed an arsenic "trap" that has the potential to clean up contaminated water or treat poisoning victims.
Arsenic is a chemical element and a naturally occurring poison that contaminates water supplies around the globe.
Darren Johnson, a chemistry professor, and graduate student Jake Vickaryous have created a molecule made of sulphur and carbon that hooks on to arsenic.
Three sulphur-based molecules join with two arsenic atoms to form a kind of pyramid-shaped molecule that's more stable than the sulphur molecule alone. Once locked into the structure Johnson describes as a "molecular claw," the arsenic does not combine with any other molecules.
If the molecule proves stable enough to avoid linking up with any other molecules, it could effectively remove arsenic from human tissue or offer a way to make arsenic-tainted wells safe for drinking water.
"One thing this could potentially do is provide some new environmental remediation and sensing tools," Johnson said.
The federal government currently requires that public water systems have no more than 50 parts per billion of lead and will reduce that to 10 parts per billion in 2006.
About 10 percent of U.S. groundwater has arsenic concentrations above 10 parts per billion, while 20 percent of the wells in the Willamette Valley exceed that level. Read More...
OregonLive.com: NewsFlash - Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
This is a good news for Nevada residents..
Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
RENO, Nev. President Bush has signed into law a measure conservationists say is the single largest designation of federally protected wilderness in Nevada history -- a total of about 12-hundred square miles north and east of Las Vegas.
The new law is called the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004. It is billed as a compromise between environmentalists who want permanent protection of intact wild lands and developers who want more water for Clark County.
The measure creates 14 new wilderness areas protecting wildlife habitat, rugged mountain peaks, limestone cliffs, fragile caves and archaeological resources across a total of 768-thousand acres. That's an area about half the size of the state of Delaware.
It directs the Bureau of Land Management to auction up to 90-thousand acres of federal land in the rural county north of Las Vegas.Read More....
KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
RENO, Nev. President Bush has signed into law a measure conservationists say is the single largest designation of federally protected wilderness in Nevada history -- a total of about 12-hundred square miles north and east of Las Vegas.
The new law is called the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004. It is billed as a compromise between environmentalists who want permanent protection of intact wild lands and developers who want more water for Clark County.
The measure creates 14 new wilderness areas protecting wildlife habitat, rugged mountain peaks, limestone cliffs, fragile caves and archaeological resources across a total of 768-thousand acres. That's an area about half the size of the state of Delaware.
It directs the Bureau of Land Management to auction up to 90-thousand acres of federal land in the rural county north of Las Vegas.Read More....
KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread -- sacbee.com -- Business
Fed is investingating into these issue...
Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
By Mike Lee -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Get weekday updates of Sacramento Bee headlines and breaking news. Sign up here.
Federal investigators have found traces of a rocket fuel component in milk and lettuce from Salinas to Cedarville, N.J., according to new government data.
Perchlorate was detected in about 90 percent of 128 lettuce samples and in all but three of the agency's 104 milk samples, but not at levels that prompted alarm at the Food and Drug Administration.
UCDavis Health
"I think that suggests a much broader distribution (of perchlorate) than anybody thought, and the basis of that distribution I don't think is adequately known," said Robert Krieger, an extension toxicologist at the University of California, Riverside.
The FDA said it wasn't recommending diet changes based on its findings, which resulted from the most comprehensive search to date for perchlorate in food. Still, one consumer watchdog group said the data should spark cleanup efforts, and farm groups wondered what it all meant for their products.
Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made compound. Most of the perchlorate manufactured nationwide is used as the primary ingredient in rocket fuel.
In recent years, increasingly sophisticated measuring equipment has detected perchlorate in water supplies, such as the Colorado River, and in foods. Crops likely are tainted by perchlorate-laced irrigation water.Read More....
sacbee.com -- Business -- Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
By Mike Lee -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Get weekday updates of Sacramento Bee headlines and breaking news. Sign up here.
Federal investigators have found traces of a rocket fuel component in milk and lettuce from Salinas to Cedarville, N.J., according to new government data.
Perchlorate was detected in about 90 percent of 128 lettuce samples and in all but three of the agency's 104 milk samples, but not at levels that prompted alarm at the Food and Drug Administration.
UCDavis Health
"I think that suggests a much broader distribution (of perchlorate) than anybody thought, and the basis of that distribution I don't think is adequately known," said Robert Krieger, an extension toxicologist at the University of California, Riverside.
The FDA said it wasn't recommending diet changes based on its findings, which resulted from the most comprehensive search to date for perchlorate in food. Still, one consumer watchdog group said the data should spark cleanup efforts, and farm groups wondered what it all meant for their products.
Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made compound. Most of the perchlorate manufactured nationwide is used as the primary ingredient in rocket fuel.
In recent years, increasingly sophisticated measuring equipment has detected perchlorate in water supplies, such as the Colorado River, and in foods. Crops likely are tainted by perchlorate-laced irrigation water.Read More....
sacbee.com -- Business -- Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
You see the household products that we use are high chemical compound, So it certainly would containminate the ground water then...We need to encourage the use of organic..Natural household products.....
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
BY DAWN FALLIK
Knight Ridder Newspapers
PHILADELPHIA - (KRT) - Scientists are finding trace amounts of drugs, herbicides and fragrances - from birth-control hormones to weed killers - in the nation's drinking water.
Where once experts thought the water-filtration process would eliminate the chemicals, new studies have discovered otherwise. One water industry investigation into 18 drinking-water plants nationwide found the compounds in 14 of them.
"Initially it was a surprise," said Joseph Bella, executive director for the Passaic Valley Water Commission, whose plant was the basis of a New Jersey study. "We've completely changed the way we treat water. And if that doesn't work, we'll find other technologies."
The amounts being found are infinitesimal - in parts per billion or trillion. A part per billion can be thought of as one grain of salt in a swimming pool, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
But studies on fish living in streams show that male and female fish can develop the other sex's proteins and organs when there are endocrine disrupters - from some flame retardants, birth control pills or steroids - in the water in parts per billion. What is unclear is the effect this has on humans, if any.
"We need to expand the task there," said Christian Daughton, who heads the environmental chemistry branch at the EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory. "But the point is that no organism is exposed to one toxicant at a time. What's happening here involves multiple chemicals at a time, and naturally occurring toxic chemicals as well."
There were no studies being done on the health effects of chronic exposure to the compound cocktail, according to officials from the EPA, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They say they need to figure out which chemicals are appearing, and where, before deciding what to focus on.
However, the American Water Works Research Association in Denver, which funded the nationwide drinking-water-plant survey, is conducting a two-year study on the health effects of the chemicals.Read More....
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
BY DAWN FALLIK
Knight Ridder Newspapers
PHILADELPHIA - (KRT) - Scientists are finding trace amounts of drugs, herbicides and fragrances - from birth-control hormones to weed killers - in the nation's drinking water.
Where once experts thought the water-filtration process would eliminate the chemicals, new studies have discovered otherwise. One water industry investigation into 18 drinking-water plants nationwide found the compounds in 14 of them.
"Initially it was a surprise," said Joseph Bella, executive director for the Passaic Valley Water Commission, whose plant was the basis of a New Jersey study. "We've completely changed the way we treat water. And if that doesn't work, we'll find other technologies."
The amounts being found are infinitesimal - in parts per billion or trillion. A part per billion can be thought of as one grain of salt in a swimming pool, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
But studies on fish living in streams show that male and female fish can develop the other sex's proteins and organs when there are endocrine disrupters - from some flame retardants, birth control pills or steroids - in the water in parts per billion. What is unclear is the effect this has on humans, if any.
"We need to expand the task there," said Christian Daughton, who heads the environmental chemistry branch at the EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory. "But the point is that no organism is exposed to one toxicant at a time. What's happening here involves multiple chemicals at a time, and naturally occurring toxic chemicals as well."
There were no studies being done on the health effects of chronic exposure to the compound cocktail, according to officials from the EPA, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They say they need to figure out which chemicals are appearing, and where, before deciding what to focus on.
However, the American Water Works Research Association in Denver, which funded the nationwide drinking-water-plant survey, is conducting a two-year study on the health effects of the chemicals.Read More....
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
Newsday.com: City in violation of drinking water rules
These Kind of Violation must put right immediately.
City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
"For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume," said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman.
Newsday.com: City in violation of drinking water rules: "City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
'For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume,' said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman. "
City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
"For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume," said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman.
Newsday.com: City in violation of drinking water rules: "City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
'For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume,' said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman. "
Monday, November 29, 2004
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County columnists
When the plant completed in 2008, it certainly would benefits the residents in the area.
Water treatment plant to be built in Twin Oaks Valley
Oreck By: KEN MA - Staff Writer
SAN MARCOS ---- In an effort to meet a growing demand for water, San Diego County Water Authority officials said Wednesday that they plan to build a $107 million plant in the Twin Oaks Valley area to treat water from the Colorado River and Northern California, where most of the county's water supply comes from.
The plant, which will be off Twin Oaks Valley Road about 2 1/2-miles north of San Marcos, is scheduled to be under construction by next summer and completed by the summer of 2008. It's needed, water authority officials said, because the 11 water-treatment plants in the county and one in Temecula, all of which treat the county's potable water supply, cannot handle the increasing demand for water.
"The completion of this regional water-treatment plant is an integral part of our long-range planning to increase water supply reliability," the chairman of the water authority's board of directors, Bernie Rhinerson, said in a statement.
Part of the reason for building the new treatment facility is that the Metropolitan Water District's Skinner Water Treatment Plant in Temecula, which treats half of San Diego County's imported potable water supply ---- about 520 million gallons a day ---- is running at or beyond its capacity, said John Liarakos, county water authority spokesman. Read More...
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County columnists
Water treatment plant to be built in Twin Oaks Valley
Oreck By: KEN MA - Staff Writer
SAN MARCOS ---- In an effort to meet a growing demand for water, San Diego County Water Authority officials said Wednesday that they plan to build a $107 million plant in the Twin Oaks Valley area to treat water from the Colorado River and Northern California, where most of the county's water supply comes from.
The plant, which will be off Twin Oaks Valley Road about 2 1/2-miles north of San Marcos, is scheduled to be under construction by next summer and completed by the summer of 2008. It's needed, water authority officials said, because the 11 water-treatment plants in the county and one in Temecula, all of which treat the county's potable water supply, cannot handle the increasing demand for water.
"The completion of this regional water-treatment plant is an integral part of our long-range planning to increase water supply reliability," the chairman of the water authority's board of directors, Bernie Rhinerson, said in a statement.
Part of the reason for building the new treatment facility is that the Metropolitan Water District's Skinner Water Treatment Plant in Temecula, which treats half of San Diego County's imported potable water supply ---- about 520 million gallons a day ---- is running at or beyond its capacity, said John Liarakos, county water authority spokesman. Read More...
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County columnists
Canadians mull latest Great Lakes water plan
Water issue between two countries is always an issue. But as a good neighbor, I am sure best things is to resolve it peacefully on the table.
Canadians mull latest Great Lakes water plan
Some query motive of Ohio's governor
By TOM HENRY
BLADE STAFF WRITER
One of Canada's parliamentary committees has begun taking testimony on the latest plan to curb Great Lakes diversions and bulk withdrawals, another sign that some influential Canadians are questioning the motives of a regional effort led by Gov. Bob Taft's administration since 2001.
The review is the first of its kind on the federal level of a proposal called Annex 2001, written to close legal loopholes in a 1985 charter among governors.
Canada's Parliament and the U.S. Congress were expected to have hearings on the annex after governors and premiers signed it, something which now is not expected to occur until at least the summer of 2005.
No hearings were expected on the federal level in either country before governors and premiers had reached an agreement among themselves, Dick Bartz, Ohio Department of Natural Resources water chief, said. Mr. Bartz is one of the architects of the draft version put out July 19 for 90 days of public comment.
"Given the comments that were received, though, I guess it's not surprising that somebody [in Canada's Parliament] would take it up and hold hearings," Mr. Bartz said.
Supporters hail Annex 2001 as a measure that could both encourage water conservation and halt any large-scale attempts to divert water to parched states such as California, Arizona, and Nevada, as well as potential exports to other parts of the world.
But after three years of near-silence, an opposition movement has arisen. A citizens' group called the Council of Canadians, for one, questions if U.S. governors had ulterior motives in proposing Annex 2001. The council, which claims to have a membership of 100,000, alleges numerous exemptions were included to accommodate growing communities on the American side of the border.Printer-friendly version
Canadians mull latest Great Lakes water plan
Some query motive of Ohio's governor
By TOM HENRY
BLADE STAFF WRITER
One of Canada's parliamentary committees has begun taking testimony on the latest plan to curb Great Lakes diversions and bulk withdrawals, another sign that some influential Canadians are questioning the motives of a regional effort led by Gov. Bob Taft's administration since 2001.
The review is the first of its kind on the federal level of a proposal called Annex 2001, written to close legal loopholes in a 1985 charter among governors.
Canada's Parliament and the U.S. Congress were expected to have hearings on the annex after governors and premiers signed it, something which now is not expected to occur until at least the summer of 2005.
No hearings were expected on the federal level in either country before governors and premiers had reached an agreement among themselves, Dick Bartz, Ohio Department of Natural Resources water chief, said. Mr. Bartz is one of the architects of the draft version put out July 19 for 90 days of public comment.
"Given the comments that were received, though, I guess it's not surprising that somebody [in Canada's Parliament] would take it up and hold hearings," Mr. Bartz said.
Supporters hail Annex 2001 as a measure that could both encourage water conservation and halt any large-scale attempts to divert water to parched states such as California, Arizona, and Nevada, as well as potential exports to other parts of the world.
But after three years of near-silence, an opposition movement has arisen. A citizens' group called the Council of Canadians, for one, questions if U.S. governors had ulterior motives in proposing Annex 2001. The council, which claims to have a membership of 100,000, alleges numerous exemptions were included to accommodate growing communities on the American side of the border.Printer-friendly version
KOBTV.com - City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
Well this is good news. Issue like this must be handled peacefully.
City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
Last Update: 11/28/2004 2:12:45 PM
By: Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The city of Albuquerque has dropped its protest against Santa Fe�s plans to build a water diversion project on the Rio Grande.
City officials filed the protest last year.
They said they wanted to make sure water Santa Fe would draw from the project didn�t include 1,600 acre-feet of river water Albuquerque leases to a gated Santa Fe luxury community.
Santa Fe�s diversion project permit will now specify that it doesn�t include any San Juan-Chama diversion water owned by the city of Albuquerque.
The withdrawal of the protest should clear the way for Santa Fe to move ahead with its project.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
KOBTV.com - City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
Last Update: 11/28/2004 2:12:45 PM
By: Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The city of Albuquerque has dropped its protest against Santa Fe�s plans to build a water diversion project on the Rio Grande.
City officials filed the protest last year.
They said they wanted to make sure water Santa Fe would draw from the project didn�t include 1,600 acre-feet of river water Albuquerque leases to a gated Santa Fe luxury community.
Santa Fe�s diversion project permit will now specify that it doesn�t include any San Juan-Chama diversion water owned by the city of Albuquerque.
The withdrawal of the protest should clear the way for Santa Fe to move ahead with its project.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
KOBTV.com - City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
PEMA: PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
Although government said there is no threat to the drinking water. But the situation must be in control...
PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director David M. Sanko today reported that 25,000-30,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from the oil tanker ATHOS I at anchor near the Philadelphia airport.
“Governor Rendell and New Jersey Governor Richard Codey continue to monitor the situation along with federal and state agencies here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of New Jersey,” Sanko said. “Personnel from several state agencies including PEMA, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Fish & Boat Commission have been on-site since early this morning. I will keep Governor Rendell updated throughout the day.”
According to Sanko, officials are still investigating the cause of the leak and there is no threat to drinking water. DEP has deployed booms in several creeks along the path of the spill.
“On behalf of Governor Rendell, appropriate protective action is being taken to keep residents of the Delaware Valley out of harm’s way,” Sanko added.
PEMA: PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director David M. Sanko today reported that 25,000-30,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from the oil tanker ATHOS I at anchor near the Philadelphia airport.
“Governor Rendell and New Jersey Governor Richard Codey continue to monitor the situation along with federal and state agencies here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of New Jersey,” Sanko said. “Personnel from several state agencies including PEMA, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Fish & Boat Commission have been on-site since early this morning. I will keep Governor Rendell updated throughout the day.”
According to Sanko, officials are still investigating the cause of the leak and there is no threat to drinking water. DEP has deployed booms in several creeks along the path of the spill.
“On behalf of Governor Rendell, appropriate protective action is being taken to keep residents of the Delaware Valley out of harm’s way,” Sanko added.
PEMA: PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
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