acwa magazine fall 2010

7/30/2019 ACWA Magazine Fall 2010

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WaterforTomorrowCalifornias Water, Our Responsibility

Volume Two Number Two

A River Runs Through Balancing the Needs of PeopIndustry and the Environm

Everywhere a Waters

A Word with Alexandra Coust


2/20

dearREADERS,

2 Water for Tomorrow Volume Two Number Two

CHECKING IN

Californians have come to understandthat water is a growing challenge and atop-line political issue, unlike any other.

But to fully grasp the matter, we mustexamine it in a broader context from ahistorical standpoint, but also in relationto present-day environmental challengessuch as climate change. With thisapproach, we can strive to moreintelligently and effectively implementinnovations and refine policies and plans.

In this issue ofWater for Tomorrow,we present many stories that examinethis broader context. A River Runs

Through It: Balancing the Needs ofPeople, Industry and the Environmenthighlights the age-old art ofcompromise how communities areworking together to save endangeredspecies while keeping in mind theinterests of agriculture, government,and business, as well as the millions ofpeople who rely on water every day. Asyou will see, its a delicate balance, butone that has achieved promising resultsfor three of our most beautiful rivers.

It may not be widely known, but thereare 2,110 watersheds in the continentalUnited States, with close to 200 inCalifornia alone, and we are all criticallydependent upon the water they provide.Everywhere a Watershed takes a lookat what actually defines a watershed and

how we can best manage and protecthese ecological systems so that ournatural water supplies remain intact

In addition to this, we discuss howclimate change is affecting the Sierrsnowpack, river flows, groundwaterreserves, and even sea level rise. Todin California, water must be managwith these new realities in mind.

Finally, in Responsible WaterManagement: Where California Swe zoom out to consider our statewater system in the broadest conteof all, the worldwide view. Althoug

we may have more challenges to faat home, Californias bold initiativrecycle and desalinate alternative wsources can ultimately serve as excmodels for other countries.

There are many aspects of Californwater system to be proud of, not thleast of which is the concerted efforbeing made by all communities toconserve water. Other countriesaround the world are struggling on

a daily basis to bring safe, clean watto their people. Let California be abright example of a place that mostefficiently uses this life-sustaining g

Sincerely,

Don HeymannEditor-in-Chief

Tahoe National Forest near

French Meadows Reservoir.

Cover Photo: The Owens RiverPhoto Credit: Dale Kolke, CaliforniaDepartment of Water Resources

TAKE OUR READERSURVEY

Launched in the spring of 2009,

Water for Tomorrow is a new

magazine produced by the

Association of California Water

Agencies in partnership with

National Geographic custom

publishing. Were very interested

to hear your feedback on

this groundbreaking publication,

so please visit

www.waterfortomorrowmag.com.


3/20www.waterfortomorrowmag.com Californias Water, Our Resp

VOLUME TWO NUMBER TWO

TABLE oCONTENTS

PUBLISHER

Jeffrey Barasch

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Don Heymann

ART DIRECTOR

Bruce McGowin

Association of California Water Agencies

PRESIDENT

Paul Kelley

VICE PRESIDENT

Randy Record

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Timothy Quinn

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC

COORDINATION AND

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Jennifer Persike

Water for Tomorrow is published exclusivelyfor ACWA by:

Onward Publishing, Inc.in partnership with National Geographic

6 Bayview Avenue, Northport, NY 11768Phone: 631.757.8300

www.onwardpublishing.com 2010 ACWA. All rights reserved

www.acwa.com

Visit us online at

www.waterfortomorrowmag.com

for helpful links and to learn

more about Californias water.

4 A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT:BALANCING THE NEEDS OFPEOPLE, INDUSTRY ANDTHE ENVIRONMENTCalifornians have long been perfectingthe art of compromise when it comes todistributing water for the needs of people,agriculture, industry and recreation.

8 RESPONSIBLE WATERMANAGEMENT: WHERECALIFORNIA STANDS

Although California has its share of watersupply problems, these issues often palein comparison to the challenges manycountries face every day.

12 EVERYWHERE A WATERSHEDWe each have a vital stake in ourwatersheds, and they must beprotected and managed properlyif we are to maintain a predictablesource of high-quality drinking water.

14 ADVANCING CO-EQUAL GOALSState legislation aims at improving

water supply reliability whilerestoring ecosystems.

16 WATER CONSERVATIONCASE STUDIESWhether you visit one of the manyprofessional carwashes in the stateor landscape your property with nativeCalifornian low-water plants and grasses,there are many ways to conserve water.

18 FUN & FACTS

19 A WORD WITH

ALEXANDRA COUSTEAUThe granddaughter of legendaryundersea explorer Jacques-YvesCousteau shares her thoughtsabout Californias water andenvironmental issues.

WaterforTomorrow

NEXT ISSUE

Taking an in-depth look at the

Colorado River, we will evaluate

the current state of this vital 1,450-

mile-long water source. We will

also discuss how groundwater

makes up 50 percent of Californias

water supply. Plus, a study

of water as art.


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A River RunsThrough It:

Balancing the Needsof People, Industry and

the Environment


5/20www.waterfortomorrowmag.com Californias Water, Our Respon

California is a state with abundant

natural beauty from majestic,

snow-peaked mountains to rushing

rivers and cool lakes teeming

with fish and other aquatic

life. Residents are proud,

and rightly so, of

these exceptional

resources. Often, however,

Californians find themselves in

disagreement over how to best

manage these resources so that they

will still be here in the years to come.

hile we all see pressingenvironmental issues throughdifferent lenses, the ability tobalance our varied interests in a

spirit of cooperation is essential if we are

to successfully protect these resources.The fact is, balancing the water needsof agriculture, industry and, of course,millions of people while preservingour environment has been a challengefor over a century.

In recent years, California can pointto successful water and environmentalinitiatives that have, indeed, balancedthe needs of all constituents thanksto a combined effort and the art ofcompromise. These importantinitiatives are helping to preservesome of Californias most beautifuland vital natural features including theAmerican, Russian, and Owens rivers.

The American River:Forging the WaterForum Agreement

Often called the Sacramento regionscrown jewel, the Lower American Riveroriginates in the high Sierra Nevada,

in the Tahoe and El Dorado NationalForests, and provides drinking waterto millions of Californians. The riversthree main forks flow through the Sierrafoothills and converge east of Sacramento.Along their way the water, rapids, lakesand reservoirs provide recreation to morethan one million visitors each year while

also supplyingpower and irrigationto Northern California.

From whitewater action to calm-waterpaddling, and from fishing in a clear laketo hiking along a cool stream, there isa lot to love and protect along the

American River. This important waterway,which hugs our state capital, boasts therecreational American River Parkway, a4,000-acre, 23-mile-long stretch, firstproposed by Sacramentos city plannerJohn Nolen in 1915 as well as the FolsomDam, which provides critical flood controland stores water for irrigation, domesticuse, and electrical power generation.

In the mid-1990s, however, it becameapparent that long-standing conflicts aboutmanaging the river had to be overcome

to reverse the prospects of water shortages,environmental degradation, groundwatercontamination, and threats to groundwaterreliability. Thus the Water Forum wasborn a diverse group of businessand agricultural leaders, citizens groups,environmentalists, water managers,and local governments in Sacramento,Placer and El Dorado counties.

After conducting hundreds ofpublic meetings at which the range

of interested parties were able toexpress their views, members of theWater Forum agreed in 2000 toprinciples now known as the WaterForum Agreement a comprehensivepackage of linked actions designed toachieve two co-equal objectives:

Provide a reliable and safe water

supply for the regions economichealth and planned developmenthe year 2030, and

Preserve for generations to comthe nationally recognized fishery, w

and recreational values and naturbeauty of the Lower American R

Because of this comprehensiv

Water Forum Agreement, theregion is now meeting its neein a balanced way on such keyas groundwater management,

diversions, dry year water supplwater conservation, and protection the Lower American River. To maksure these plans are carried out effecthe Agreement is supported by guidthat strengthen commitments andcontracts, as well as an early warningsystem to identify potential problem

and creatively resolve them as they aTo protect this amazing natural

resource, the right people came togevoluntarily to cooperate, to resolveconflicts and to negotiate in good fawith an openness to all interests, sathe Water Forums executive directoTom Gohring. Now were on our w

The Russian River:Saving Endangered Fis

Just a short drive from the SanFrancisco Bay Area and SacramentRussian River is a preferred getawaresidents of these vibrant urban cen

The Russi

W

The American River


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They visit to enjoy the grandness ofnature including nearby wine country, thefamous redwoods and coastal areas, aswell as rafting, sport fishing, and hiking.

The Russian River watershed, themost populous in the North Coast

encompassing 1,485 square miles,supports gravel mining, vineyards,orchards and other agricultural crops while supplying drinking water to600,000 people.

With such important demands on theriver, the question of how to go aboutprotecting endangered species requirescareful consideration and the abilityto tame strong emotions. The RussianRiver and its tributaries are home to

three species of fish the steelhead,coho and chinook salmon that areclassified as endangered or threatenedunder federal and state laws.

In an effort to help the endangeredfish thrive again among these interests,the National Marine Fisheries Serviceissued a Biological Opinion theculmination of more than a decade ofstudies that analyze the impact of therivers water supply and flood controlprojects on these species. The Sonoma

County Water Agency created theRussian River Instream Flow andRestoration Project to oversee theimplementation of corrective actionsover 15 years.

The primary goal is to restorefisheries through significant habitatimprovements, which includes providingaccess to a 50-mile area of the river thatonce had a flow-control barrier, explainsPaul Kelley, supervisor of Sonoma

County and president of the Associationof California Water Agencies. While theBiological Opinion is a federal mandateon local operations, Kelley explains,This kind of adaptive managementbenefits all interested parties because ithelps a great river thrive. Our approachto this incredible natural resource is

critical for the fisheries, as well asrecreation and agriculture, he adds.It proves that a little compromisinggoes a long way.

Mono Lake and the

Lower Owens River:A Dynamic Restoration

Mono Lake, a vital habitat for millionsof migratory and nesting birds covering

70 square miles, is nestled at the edgeof the arid Great Basin and the snowySierra Nevada mountains. Freshwaterstreams feed Mono Lake, supportingforests of cottonwood and willow alongtheir banks. On the lakeshore, sceniclimestone formations known as tufatowers rise from the waters surface.

From 1941 until 1990, diversions ofwater from the Mono Basin by the LosAngeles Department of Water and Power

(LADWP) had a significant effect onMono Lake. As a result of the diversions,Mono Lake dropped 45 vertical feet, losthalf its volume, and doubled in salinity.

The Mono Lake Committee, foundedin 1978, led the effort to save the lake. In1994, after over a decade of litigation, theCalifornia State Water Resources Control

Board ordered the protection of MoLake, so it could rise to a healthy levof 6,392 feet above sea level 20 feabove its historic low.

One way the city of Los Angelesadapted to this loss of water was thro

intensive development of local waterresources. Most people dont knowthat, since 1978, Los Angeless popuhas grown by 1.28 million people, anyet the city is using about the sameamount of water as it did 40 years agThe departments conservation proghave been tremendously successful, its development of local water supplthrough conservation, water recyclinbetter use of groundwater and othermeasures has allowed the LADWto serve more people while divertingsignificantly less water from Mono Land the Owens Valley area, says MDavis, former executive director of tMono Lake Committee.

Twenty miles south of Mono Lakthe Lower Owens River is undergoithe largest river restoration of its kinin the United States. A big piece of tdynamic project is the re-watering o62-mile-long stretch of river and adj

floodplain left essentially dry after wwas diverted into the Los AngelesAqueduct in 1913.

The transformation of the LoweOwens River has been remarkable. Walready seeing the greening effects ore-watering as nature and recreationreturn to the river, says James McDa manager at LADWP. As we conton our mission to provide water forLos Angeles, we remain committed

our environmental obligations in thOwens Valley. Though much workremains to be done, the re-wateringthe Lower Owens is a promising sta

Mono Lake and the Owens Riverwere once the subject of intense conbut today, the art of compromise anspirit of cooperation are alive and w


The Owens River


7/20

Climate change in California is

evident here and now, and its

making a profound impact on

our water resources. Proof is in

the changing nature of snowpack,

river flows, groundwater reserves,

and sea level rise.

These changes are expected tocontinue, as more precipitation inthe state will likely fall as rain instead ofsnow, and as shifting weather patternsexacerbate flood risks and furtherchallenge water supply reliability. AtGolden Gate Recreation Area tidalrecords show a sea level rise of abouteight inches in the last 100 years. This

rate is expected to increase with scientistsprojecting a rise of another 21 to 55inches by the year 2100.

By accumulating snow during wetwinters and releasing it slowly when itsneeded during dry springs and summers,the Sierra snowpack provides as much as65 percent of Californias water supply.

With warmer temperatures, however,the snow will melt faster and earlier,making it more difficult to store and use.

In fact, scientists project a loss ofat least 25 percent of the Sierra snowpackby 2050. Furthermore, a recent analysisconducted in July found that more than30 counties in California are at high riskof water shortages by mid-century dueto impacts of climate change, makingwater supply planning more difficult.

With this global shift in climate,more variable weather patterns maylead to longer and more severedroughts. In addition, sea level risewill threaten the sustainability ofthe Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,

the source of water for 25 millionCalifornians spanning from the BayArea to Southern California andmillions of acres of prime farmland.

As these threats evolve, climate changehas become a powerful environmentalpolicy driver at both the state andfederal levels. With passage of theGlobal Warming Solutions Act of 2006,

California launched the nations mcomprehensive initiative in responsclimate change, followed by the sta2009 Climate Adaptation Plan.

The Association of California WAgencies has adopted a number ofpolicy principles related to climateand water management in Californ(www.acwa.com/content/climate-change/climate-change-policy-prinMeanwhile, the California Departmof Water Resources (DWR) is addrthese impacts through a series ofmitigation and adaptation measureensure an adequate water supply, reflood control, and healthy ecosyste

The department addresses clima

change primarily through its CalifoWater Plan, last updated in Novem2009, which provides a framework water managers, legislators, and thpublic to consider options and makdecisions regarding Californias wafuture. It is also developing a ClimaAction Plan across all DWR progr

To learn more, visit www.water.ca.go

Cliate Cange: ThE ImpACT IS NOw

www.waterfortomorrowmag.com Californias Water, Our Respo

Diminished snowpack has become evident in the Sierra Nevada range where DWR teams are routinely sent to measure snow depth and check water


8/208 Water for Tomorrow Volume Two Number Two

n most developed countries, the watersupplied to households, commerce,and industry is of drinking waterstandard and relatively plentiful. But

large parts of the world have inadequate

access to safe water and these populationsend up using contaminated sources. Inthe whole of Africa, only 46 percent ofthe population has safe drinking water.

California WorksCalifornia stands in sharp contrast.

Ninety-seven percent of the statespopulation receives its water frompublic water systems, the remainingthree percent from private wells and othersources. Essentially, almost every resident

in California has access to safe water.

The states Water Plan is comprehensive,addressing national, state, and regionalconcerns. With this integrated watermanagement approach, regionsimplement strategies appropriate totheir own needs, as statewide programsprovide for upgrades to large physical

systems, such as the State WaterProject, that are essential to thepeople and economy of California.

Distribution is the focal point of mostfundamental controversies surrounding

Californias water supply. Most ofCalifornias precipitation occurs in thestates vast mountain ranges, especiallythe Sierra Nevada range in the east.However, most water demand arisesat the lower elevations in the urbancenters of the Bay Area and SouthernCalifornia and in the expansiveagricultural area of the Central Valley.The demand for water is highest duringthe dry summer months when there islittle natural precipitation or snowmelt.

Californias variable climate also leads toperiods of drought followed by flooding.

But these water supply challengeshave been addressed by one of the mostcomplex and sophisticated water storageand transport systems in the world an integrated system of dams, reservoirs,pumping plants, and aqueducts, which

transport large portions of the statesurface water hundreds of miles tocities and farms.

Californias growth the mostpopulous state in the U.S. and sixth

largest economy in the world canbe largely attributed to its ability tomanage water resources, from contrfloods to storing water for droughtsfrom producing hydro-electric powto providing water recreation.

This development has significantaltered Californias rivers, streams,natural marshlands, and the wildlifeinhabiting these areas. But over the few decades, new approaches to watconservation and management havebeen developed to help restore thesresources. As noted in this issue ofWfor Tomorrow, a number of laws andinitiatives have been enacted to proendangered species, clean up pollutrivers and lakes, conserve water, andprotect open spaces and wilderness

I

Responsible Water ManagementWhere California Stands

California may have its share of problems

providing enough water for its large and growing population, but often

these problems pale in comparison to the challenges many countries face every day.


9/20www.waterfortomorrowmag.com Californias Water, Our Resp

Finding New SourcesIn its constant search to find new sources

of clean water to meet growing demand,California is implementing a multitudeof strategies. At the forefront is educatingthe general populace about the importanceof water conservation. In addition, forthe first time ever, the government hasmandated that urban water agenciesreduce statewide per capita water

consumption 20 percent by the year 2020.Water recycling is another important

approach that has been embraced withgreater enthusiasm in recent years.Orange County, for example, has awater purification system that providesenough drinking-quality water tosupply 500,000 residents annually.Today, there are more than 250 waterrecycling plants operating in the state,and more are planned for the future.

Furthermore, 12 water agencies are

working on desalination projects todesalinate such diverse sources as PacificOcean water and brackish groundwater.Other countries are also pursuing thisapproach. In Spain, for example, climateconditions are similar to large areasof California, with low annual rates ofprecipitation. Thats why desalination

has been a key capability in Spain fordecades. The country has more than900 desalination plants, nearly halfusing ocean water as a source.

Another key strategy in California isthe development over the past 15 years oflocal resources including off-stream storagein the southern part of the state andgroundwater banking projects in severalareas around the state. Voluntary watermarketing, which is the practice of moving

conserved water from willing sellers toareas of the state where it is needed hasbeen a critical water management toolin dry times and will continue to playan increasingly important role.

Facing Challenges inthe Developing World

Elsewhere in emerging economies,many countries continue to struggle toprovide clean water. In India, for example,

water supply is insufficient, though thegovernment and local communities havecontinued to invest in and improve theirsystems, especially over the last 10 years asthe economy has grown. In that time, thenumber of Indians with access to improvedwater sources has increased to nearly 90percent. But problems persist. No major

city in India has a continuous wateIn fact, among the 35 Indian cities more than a million people, not onwater for more than a few hours a

Meanwhile, nearly a billion peopone in every six people on the plando not have access to safe water. Tvast majority of these people live inpoor rural areas.

While the costs of developing an

maintaining a secure water infrastrare high for many countries, there considerable proof that good watersystems help countries improve theeconomic outlook. The United NDevelopment Program says that foevery dollar invested in water andsanitation, eight are returned in incproductivity. Just reducing waste calso help. The World Bank estimathat if water-system loss was reduc50 percent, 228 million more peop

the world could have access to cleaCalifornias state and regional w

system may be in need of a substanupgrade, and the challenges of climchange are monumental. But with viable, working system in place, thmajority of Californians are fortunhave access to safe, clean water eve

Polluted water on the Yamuna River, Agra, India. Engineer studying banks of reverse osmosis cells. A WaterAid pump in the village of Asheda


10/20

Water sustains all. Thales of Miletus (624 B.C. 546 B.C.)

This page, clockwise from top left:

An orange glow over Mono Lake; Sunset over Baja

California; Drakes Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore;

A view of Bridalveil Fall from the Merced River, Yosemite

National Park

Opposite, clockwise from top left:

Yuba River; El Matador State Beach; Pinnacles National

Monument; Shafts of sunlight illuminate a Yosemite

forest; Detail of a Valley Oak tree in Santa Ynez Valley


11/20

Would you like to see your

photo featured here? Send it to

[email protected]



Any discussion

about water supply

and conservation includes

references to watersheds.

We all live in watersheds

and need to protect and

manage them. But what

exactly is a watershed?

And why is it

IMPORTANT?

Everywhere


13/20www.waterfortomorrowmag.com Californias Water, Our Respons

imply put, a watershedis an area of land thatcollects and containswater (sometimesunderground throughtiny streams), anddrains it off into the

same place or places. All livingthings are inextricably linked by

these common water courses.Watersheds come in all shapes andsizes. Crossing county, state, andnational boundaries, there are 2,110watersheds in the continental U.S.,with nearly 200 in California alone.

Think of it as a kind of bathtubthat gets filled and then drainsand flows to a common outlet,explains John Lowrie, statewatershed manager of theCalifornia Department of

Conservation. Actually, everypiece of land is part of a watershed.In California, for instance, awatershed can start with meltingmountain snow that forms manysmall streams in the forest, whicheventually flow down to a riveror other larger body of water.

Why are watersheds important?Lowrie says watersheds areecological systems that provide

values, goods and services, like cleanwater, fish and wildlife, agriculturalproducts, timber, and recreationfor people. Every watershedprovides its own unique set ofthese values, goods and services.

For California, he notes,watersheds provide no more

important value or servicethan a predictable supply ofhigh-quality water.

The problem is that we donmake as much of an investmenin, or pay as much attentionto, managing the sources ofwatersheds as compared to theinvestments we make once the

water is downstream and beinreadied for use. As a result, sayLowrie, people dont alwaysnotice that were losing watervolume at these sources due topoor land management activitithat cause runoff, water diversiand lower precipitation caused climate change. Even pumpinwater out of creeks to make snofor ski slopes, for example, cancause losses and affects flow

characteristics in watersheds.Fortunately, the 2012 Water Bprovides the largest source offunds for investment in Califorwatersheds in the states histor

Its important to manage ouresources more thoughtfully ancarefully, with a watershed inmind, says Lowrie. The needof humanity are dependent onwatersheds so they must be par

of the solution. Thats why itsuseful to explain the specific valgoods and services that watershprovide so their importance is nas abstract. Whether we know inot, we all share common goalshave a vital stake in watersheds.

Swatersed



California is more serious than ever about managing its water supply in a comprehensivemanner, since the Legislature passed a far-reaching package of water bills in November 2The package, signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger, is aimed at improving the statwater supply reliability while restoring the ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin RDelta, the hub of the states water system and a nationally recognized estuary.

The 2009 legislative package marks an important step towardaddressing Californias water challenges. The Sacramento-San Joaquin

Delta is in an ecological crisis that has led to historic restrictions onwater deliveries and threatens the states economy and key species,such as salmon and Delta smelt.

The package includes four policy bills and an $11.14 billion waterbond measure that for the first time advances the co-equal goals of amore reliable water supply and Delta ecosystem restoration in statelaw. It also mandates urban water conservation targets by 2020 andestablishes a new governing structure for the Delta.

The water bond, a significant part of the initiativ

is set for the November 2012 ballot and includes

substantial funding for:

water supply reliability conservatio

groundwater protection water recyc

watershed restoration Delta restor

surface and groundwater storage drought rel

Advancing Co-Equal Goals:

Reliable Water Supply,Healthy Ecosystems


15/20www.waterfortomorrowmag.com Californias Water, Our Respo

Water for TomorrowReader Survey

Launched in the Spring of 2009, Water for Tomorrow

is a new magazine produced by ACWA in partnershipwith National Geographic custom publishing. Were

interested to hear your feedback on this groundbreaking

publication. This will be very helpful in improving our

ability to provide you with the best and most up-to-date

information on water issues in the state of California.

Please visit www.waterfortomorrowmag.com

It was announced on August 10th that thebond measure, originally set for Nov. 2010,would be delayed until the 2012 ballot inconsideration of the states current economicwoes and budget issues. Paul Kelley,the Association of California WaterAgencies (ACWA) president, saysthe rescheduling of the bond does

not diminish the importance of thelegislative package or the need forinvestments in the states waterinfrastructure. We know the decision tomove the bond to the November 2012ballot was a difficult one, but we applaudlegislative leaders and the governor forworking together to guide this process and set a newdate to place this important measure before the voters.

Another significant piece of the legislation establishes anew governing structure for managing the Delta called the

Delta Stewardship Council.Consisting of seven members with a statewide view, the council

is responsible for monitoring the progress of all Delta waterprograms. In essence, the council is both a coordinating andaccountability watchdog body for all state and local waterprojects.Californias water supply is not growing, but demandfor more water is growing, explains the councils chairman PhilIsenberg, former state assemblyman and mayor of Sacramento.

At the same time, the Delta ecosystem is suffering becauseof reduced fresh water flowing into the Delta, exports fromthe Delta, a variety of pollution and invasive species, threatsfrom floods and earthquakes, and a host of other factors.The piecemeal solutions of the past have proved ineffective.

Part of this legislation created the DeltStewardship Council and told us to by January 2012, a legally enforceabDelta Plan that will guide state and lpolicy, Isenberg says. The problem

our Delta will not be fixed overnbut we have to start now.

This comprehensive Delta Pwill encompass the work of theDelta Conservation Plan (BDC

so long as BDCP meets statutoryrequirements. Launched in 2006, the BD

is establishing a planning and environmepermitting process to restore habitat forDelta fisheries in a way that reliably deli

water supplies to 25 million Californians.

The BDCP is focused on identifying conservation strateto improve the overall ecological health of the Delta, identecologically sound ways to move fresh water through and a

the Delta, and addressing toxic pollutants, invasive species,impairments to water quality.

The Delta serves the ecosystem, agriculture, recreationand also provides a drinking-water supply. The Delta has band is still changing, says Karla Nemeth with the CalifornNatural Resources Agency. We are pursuing the BDCP toaddress conflicts in the way the state conveys water and prothe ecosystem, and are seeking solutions for an environmensustainable water supply delivery system.

At the time of this writing, federal and state agencies,environmental organizations, fishery agencies, water agenc

and other organizations are negotiating to develop a plan thwill strike the right balance.


16/20

WATER CONSERVATION: BUSINESS CASE STUDY


wAyS AND pROTECT ThE ENvIRONmENTpROfESSIONAL CARwAShES DRIvE wATER-w

The inclination of Californias 33 million

registered car owners to wash their vehiclesthemselves during tough economic timesmay be costing us all more than we realize.

Its not just the 100 gallons of preciouswater used during a typical home carwash

that taxes the environment, its also the

toxic soup of soaps, engine fluids, grease,and other bits of metal and rubber thatflow from dirty vehicles directly intoneighborhood storm drains. Becausethis runoff imperils ecosystems, erodes

water quality, and is costly to clean,communities end up paying the price.

About 40 percent of Californians washtheir cars at home on a monthly basis. Thistranslates into 160 million home washesa year. Calculate the water expended andthe amount of pollutants released into

our watersheds from this activity andthe impact is severe. Fortunately, thereis a simple antidote: Make a visit to yourprofessional neighborhood carwash.

Its time to shatter the myth thatcarwashes are water-wasting, pollutingentities. Rather, todays professionalcarwashes not only conserve water,they protect our fragile watersheds bypreventing dangerous pollutants fromentering our lakes, rivers, and bays.

These businesses also create jobs,

preserve our auto investments, andprovide lucrative fundraising options forschools, churches, and other non-profits.

Our members voluntarily adhere tostringent water conservation policiesand employ technologies that can cleana vehicle using about two-thirds less

water than a home carwash, says RossHutchings, executive director of the

Western Carwash Association. We recycleour water, and separate soaps and othertoxins into secure holding tanks. These

chemicals get diverted into the sewersystem where they are properly treatedbefore being released into our waterways.

Even though a professional carwash ismore beneficial to the environment, WCAenvironmental committee chair RandyCressall acknowledges that some people

will still clean their cars at home, and he

has some tips for them. Wash your

on a lawn or permeable gravel surfacThis helps to prevent pollutants fromentering our watersheds, where they poison wildlife, and even inhibit the reproduction of aquatic species. Alsosure to use a nozzle on your hose tharegulates water flow. The WCA weoffers more tips on community-safe,home-based carwashing atwww.wcw

Charity carwashes held in parkinglots have honorable intent, but harmfenvironmental impact. To combat theproblem and give charities an effectiway to raise money, WCA members non-profits to host fundraising carwaat their professional, water-wise faci

Western Carwash Association memprovide quality products and facilitiescost and charities like cash-strappedschool bands and sports teams prov

most of the staff. Groups sell $10 ticto boosters and other patrons who threceive a professional $23 wash in r

These charitable fundraisers consgenerate $5,000 per event. With eveunited in a common cause, these grobuild team spirit while helping to prothe environment.


17/20

Because California is facing

unprecedented water challenges, due, inpart, to factors like ongoing drought andpopulation growth, the Department ofWater Resources and the Association ofCalifornia Water Agencies have partneredto develop the Save Our Water program.Designed to educate residents about thestates severe water shortages, the programencourages consumers to significantlyreduce their household water use.

One part of the program isthe Real People, Real Savings

campaign, which profiles anumber of actual residentswho have made significantwater-saving changes to theireveryday lives. By highlightingtheir improvements, theprogram aims to motivate otherreal Californians to conserve water.

Below are some water-savvy examplesfrom California gardeners whosechanges are yielding a host of economic,environmental, and social rewards.

Kathryn McClellandBedecked with lovely verbena,

gloriously hued hollyhocks, lupine, andzinnia, Kathryn McClellands aromaticgarden in Pleasanton has always turnedheads. But her plants are more thanjust showy flowers theyre also smartchoices for water-wise gardening.

The best thing I ever did was replacemy thirsty, labor-intensive lawn withlow-water, easy-care California nativesand Mediterranean plantings, she

says. Vibrant-colored salvia and SantaBarbara Island live-forever also lurehummingbirds and butterflies.

Her thoughtful approach toconservation has created a charmingenclave that delights the senses and supports the wildlife that keepsher garden thriving.

Mariah Kaffka

Mariah Kaffka thinks its high time thatpeople start thinking out of the box whenit comes to landscaping. When she andher husband bought their house in Menifee(in Riverside County), she knew right awaythat she wanted to design a property thatcombined hardscape with low-water plantsand trees. Today, her front yard is beautifuland gives her family an ideal place to sitand enjoy the outdoors. I believe it is everyindividuals responsibility within a collective

to respect and preserve our

Earths gift, she says.Santosh Seeram-Santana

When Santosh Seeram-Santanafirst purchased her home in

Sacramento, she wanted to createa water-efficient landscape that required littleor no weekly maintenance. Today, Santoshand her husband have a property that is filledwith beautiful bamboo, low-water grasses,and California-friendly flowers. Theirefforts have produced a relaxing, soothingenvironment to spend time in after work,

and theyve even installed a recirculatingwater system. Gardening is another formof meditation, says Santosh, pleased thather garden allows her to enjoy its rewardswithout the pressure of weekly lawn chores.

Yaz & Richard Manley

Yaz and Richard Manley of San Marcossee saving water as a natural part ofresponsible living. Saving water isimportant because its precious, limited,and vital to all forms of life. We can nolonger afford to take it for granted, says Yaz.

Their solution is one of prudentsustainability: In areas where youre alreadywatering, why not also produce somethingdelicious for the table? Favorite ediblesinclude Brown Turkey fig, Oroblancograpefruit, and pumpkin. Our water doesdouble duty by providing us with a healthysnack at arms reach.


RESIDENTIAL CASE STUDY

REAL pEOpLE, REAL SOLuTIONS, REAL SAvINSmART GARDENS AND LANDSCApES:

Kathryn McClelland

SantoshSeeram-

Santana

Yaz &RichardManley

MariahKaffka


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FUN & FACTS


ACROSS

1. Decay

4. Old Testament prophet

8. Swindle

12. Sorta suffix

13. Lima is its capital

14. *Small salmon

15. *Water deficiency

17. Med school subject

18. Goldsmiths units

19. Feudal servants

21. Debt indicators23. M.P.H.

24. Choir song

27. Not often seen

29. Pesky tyke

32. Flower buzzer

33. *Carpenters tool

34. Whisper sweet nothings

35. Have obligations

36. Hold on ___! (Wait!)

37. *Discontinue

38. Highland hat

40. Auld Lang ___

42. The Lion King king

44. *Seashores

48. Indian princess

49. *Answer (ideal resultof 26-Down)

51 Units of work

52 Bakery fixture

53. Miracle-___ (gardenproduct)

54. *Ocean denizens

55. Theyre in one yearand out the other

56. *Like 2011 cars

DOWN

1. *Insurers exposure

2. Workers protectionagency

3. God of thunder

4. Is ___ (probably will)

5. *Calibrates

6. Nonprofits URL ending

7. Takes to court

8. Frighten

9. *Clash, as of needsduring a 15-Across

10. I got it! shouts

11. Bon ___ (witticism)

16. *Cloudburst

20. Daredevil Knievel

22. *Doesnt throw out

24. Network that won themost 2010 Emmys

25. Elastic wood

26. *Get-togethers to addressa 9-Down

28. Processed for further use

30. Cow call31. Weasel sound

33. Marys little one

37. Ticket guarantee

39. Pennsylvania Dutch gro

41. Adjectives modify them

42. Garb for 48-Across

43. Dating from

45. Speed limit indicator

46. Ripped

47. *Water source, when it

48. NFL mic wearer

50. Eggs in labs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

12 13 14

15 16 17

18 19 20

21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

32 33 34

35 36 37

38 39 40 41

42 43 44 45 46

48 49 50

51 52 53

54 55 56

ROTAMOSSCAM

ISHPERUCOHO

SHORTAGEANAT

KARATSSERFS

IOUSVEL

HYMNRAREIMP

BEELEVELCOO

OWEASECSTOP

TAMSYNESIMBACOASTS

RANISOLUTION

ERGSOVENGRO

FISHFADSNEWANSWERS

Water-saving features can reduce in-home water use by 35%or an average 130,000 gallons per year

Dripping faucets, running toilets, and other household leaks cawaste more than 10,000 gallons each year

Simple changes to more efficient water usecould save you about $170 per year

Over 250 water recycling plants currently operatein California, a major player worldwide

The Groundwater Replenishment System in Orange County

produces 70 million gallons per day

WaterywISDOm By Rich Norris 2010, Rich Norris

keepingcount


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Q

A

QA

Q

A


FINAL THOUGHTS

A Word with. . .Alexandra CosteaThe granddaughter of legendary undersea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau sharesher ideas about Californias water and environmental issues.Q. Youve been exploring the

countrys critical water issues on

your current 138-day Expedition

Blue Planet: North America. What

sort of challenges did you see in

California and do you feel those

challenges are being met?

A. The truth is, water doesnt recognize

city or state boundaries. As we continue

to grow and develop, the scale and

reach of our demand expands as well.

California feels this across both water

quantity and water quality. Good policy

and management are critical to meeting

these challenges, but most importantly,

we must overcome public apathy. The

Colorado River, from which much of

Southern Californias water is taken,

is already over allocated and will most

likely be unable to continue to quench

the thirst of a growing population.Other water resources are similarly

strained. Only by engaging people of

all ages in a concerted effort to protect

and restore precious water resources

will we avert the water crisis that some

scientists and managers foresee for

many parts of the American Southwest,

including California.

Q. Along your epic journey, what types of

new water technologies, innovations,

or practices did you discover?

A. One of the most exciting technologies that

Ive seen in California is the wastewater

recycling plant in Orange County, which

uses microfiltration, reverse osmosis,

ultraviolet light, and hydrogen peroxide

disinfection. Seventy million gallons of

wastewater are treated per day at this

facility, meeting the drinking needs of

over 500,000 people, including visitors to

Disneyland. I visited the plant myself just

a year ago and drank the purified water

on site. The water is so pure once it has

been treated, that minerals are added

back into the water before being injected

into the ground to recharge aquifers.

Recycling water is a more cost effective

solution than desalination, using less

energy and less effort to purify water forpublic consumption and with much less

negative impact on the environment. I truly

believe that people in Southern California

and around the world are going to have

to accept wastewater recycling if we are

going to continue to provide water for all

people, especially in times of drought.

Q. You are founder and presi

of the non-profit Blue Leg

International. Since its inc

in 2008, what has been

your mission?

A. The inspiration to create Blue Le

came from over a decade spent

exploring waterways around the

world. I studied shark conservat

French Polynesia and Central Am

humpback whales in Maui, dolp

in Florida, water and sanitation i

in Guatemala and Tanzania, and

I spent two years living in Costa

working on marine protected ar

with the government and coasta

fishing communities. I realized t

we cannot solve our water issue

focusing on a single species or

Our water resources are interco

placing each of us directly downfrom one another. If we are goin

to be successful at protecting ou

environment and our communit

then we need to understand the

systems that balance the quality

quantity of water we need to su


20/20

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