Long Beach Water Department Beach Clean-Up!
A friendly reminder the Long Beach Water Department will be hosting its Quarterly Beach Clean-Up effort this Saturday!
Be a part of something special and join us as we make an all-out assault on the trash that pollutes the city's longest stretch of beach.
We will be providing gloves, trash bags, drinking water and service verification forms.
Bring your family and friends of all ages to Bluff Park Beach on Saturday, March 21, from 9:00 am - Noon,
at the intersection of E. Ocean Blvd. and Coronado Ave.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Long Beach Implores Action on Water Conservation
Water Commission Implores Action on Water Conservation
Long Beach Water Official: "We are worse off today than we were last year, from every perspective that matters"
LONG BEACH, CA - Today, Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners President, John Allen, is again urging area water suppliers to move more aggressively to forestall and lessen the impact of a severe water shortage by immediately implementing mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. "I don't know where some of our area colleagues are getting their information. The information we've been looking at tells us that we are worse off today then we were last year, from every perspective that matters," according to Allen. The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners declared a water supply shortage imminent in September of 2007.
According to Allen, while there is much discussion taking place regarding the state of our water supply, several critical pieces of information continue to be overlooked, or left out of the discussion entirely. "Today, March 10th, our combined storage on the State Water Project is 200,000 acre-feet lower than this time last year. While the snowpack in the northern Sierra watershed is 90 percent of normal, last year at this time it was 113 percent of normal. The 10-day forecast for critical northern California watersheds shows zero rainfall. While we have absolutely no idea what the weather may hold in the future, we can assume that it's likely that continued below normal rain and snowfall will make our problems much worse than they are currently."
"We need to come to grips with the reality that here in southern California, we no longer have enough water to meet demand, even under normal weather conditions," stated Kevin Wattier, General Manager of the Long Beach Water Department. "Yes, storage and snow pack are lower than they were this time last year, but add to that the new delta regulatory regime, which has cut State Water Project deliveries by 30 percent, and the recently increased protection status of the delta smelt, along with a pending biological opinion on the health of salmon populations, and you begin to understand all that must be considered when you're making water supply decisions for tens of millions of people. We are operating under a structural water supply deficit."
On September 13, 2007, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners issued a Declaration of Imminent Water Supply Shortage and activated the City's Emergency Water Supply Shortage Plan. As a result, the Board of Water Commissioners issued mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. "The Board took the action it did, over 18 months ago now, to specifically forestall and lessen the impact of an expected water supply shortage," said Allen. The Board's Declaration and implementation of permanent outdoor watering prohibitions in 2007 was specifically necessitated by the profound impact of permanent reductions to imported water deliveries into southern California, dramatic reductions in water storage levels in key reservoirs in northern California, and our climate realities.
Last month, Long Beach set a new record 10-year low for water consumption, using 27.6 percent below the city's historical 10 year average. For the Fiscal Year, which started October 1, Long Beach water consumption is over 18 percent below the historical 10-year average. The 10-year historical average is from FY'98 to FY'07, which are the 10 years prior to Long Beach's call for extraordinary conservation and prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. February '09 is the sixteenth record setting month for low water consumption since September 2007.
The Long Beach Water Department is an urban, southern California retail water supply agency, and the standard in water conservation and environmental stewardship.
Long Beach Water Official: "We are worse off today than we were last year, from every perspective that matters"
LONG BEACH, CA - Today, Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners President, John Allen, is again urging area water suppliers to move more aggressively to forestall and lessen the impact of a severe water shortage by immediately implementing mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. "I don't know where some of our area colleagues are getting their information. The information we've been looking at tells us that we are worse off today then we were last year, from every perspective that matters," according to Allen. The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners declared a water supply shortage imminent in September of 2007.
According to Allen, while there is much discussion taking place regarding the state of our water supply, several critical pieces of information continue to be overlooked, or left out of the discussion entirely. "Today, March 10th, our combined storage on the State Water Project is 200,000 acre-feet lower than this time last year. While the snowpack in the northern Sierra watershed is 90 percent of normal, last year at this time it was 113 percent of normal. The 10-day forecast for critical northern California watersheds shows zero rainfall. While we have absolutely no idea what the weather may hold in the future, we can assume that it's likely that continued below normal rain and snowfall will make our problems much worse than they are currently."
"We need to come to grips with the reality that here in southern California, we no longer have enough water to meet demand, even under normal weather conditions," stated Kevin Wattier, General Manager of the Long Beach Water Department. "Yes, storage and snow pack are lower than they were this time last year, but add to that the new delta regulatory regime, which has cut State Water Project deliveries by 30 percent, and the recently increased protection status of the delta smelt, along with a pending biological opinion on the health of salmon populations, and you begin to understand all that must be considered when you're making water supply decisions for tens of millions of people. We are operating under a structural water supply deficit."
On September 13, 2007, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners issued a Declaration of Imminent Water Supply Shortage and activated the City's Emergency Water Supply Shortage Plan. As a result, the Board of Water Commissioners issued mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. "The Board took the action it did, over 18 months ago now, to specifically forestall and lessen the impact of an expected water supply shortage," said Allen. The Board's Declaration and implementation of permanent outdoor watering prohibitions in 2007 was specifically necessitated by the profound impact of permanent reductions to imported water deliveries into southern California, dramatic reductions in water storage levels in key reservoirs in northern California, and our climate realities.
Last month, Long Beach set a new record 10-year low for water consumption, using 27.6 percent below the city's historical 10 year average. For the Fiscal Year, which started October 1, Long Beach water consumption is over 18 percent below the historical 10-year average. The 10-year historical average is from FY'98 to FY'07, which are the 10 years prior to Long Beach's call for extraordinary conservation and prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. February '09 is the sixteenth record setting month for low water consumption since September 2007.
The Long Beach Water Department is an urban, southern California retail water supply agency, and the standard in water conservation and environmental stewardship.
Friday, March 6, 2009
California Facing a Structural Water Deficit
California Facing a Structural Water Deficit
An assertion made in the LA Times earlier this week stated that current drought conditions are “Not that bad.” The article implied that our current water supply crisis is solely a result of drought, and that extraordinary efforts to conserve may not be as necessary as many State and local officials have repeatedly insisted. These implications demonstrate a dangerous line of thinking that many people hold regarding an “endless” supply of water that will never dry up.
Southern California faces a structural imbalance between its water supplies and its water demands, even with normal levels of precipitation and snow, and every Southern Californian needs to heed calls to conserve, not just Long Beach residents, who continue to set records each month for low water consumption.
The State of California is in its third consecutive year of a drought. Even with the most recent improved snow pack survey results, the State is still planning on delivering eighty-five percent less water than has been requested by water contractors in Southern California, the Bay Area and the Central Valley. In addition, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), from which Southern California purchases all of its imported water, will implement a Water Shortage Allocation Plan in the coming months, which will have a huge impact on communities, both in water allocation and rates. And those communities not adequately prepared to deal with this plan will pay a price.
By far the most significant water supply issue we have involves the decline of fish populations in the Bay Delta estuary, which has led to pumping restrictions on imported water delivered from the north to the southern part of our state, where two-thirds of the population resides. These restrictions are currently resulting in an approximate thirty percent cut in water deliveries to several regions throughout our state. In fact, just this week, the State imposed additional protections on two different species of fish that reside in this estuary. Over the next several weeks, there will be additional legal opinions and rulings to protect additional fish species, which will likely result in additional restrictions on pumping, resulting in additional cuts in water deliveries.
Today, our most critical water supply reserves continue to remain dramatically low with little to no prospect of recovery this year. Add to that an ever-increasing population, which has grown by millions since our state’s last water supply crisis just two decades ago, and an overly-casual, business as usual attitude with regard to our water use, and we have the recipe for a disaster.
We all need to be less reactionary and more informed when it comes to our water crisis. Relying on increases in future rain and snowfall, or a miracle weather event, to fix our water deficit, is not only short-sighted and irresponsible, but it is bound to result in failure. A permanent change in our water-using behavior is necessary, regardless of whether there is a drought or not. Conservation is an absolutely necessary component of a viable, long-term water supply and we all need to hold ourselves and our neighbors accountable.
John Allen, President, Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners
Suja Lowenthal, Board Member, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
An assertion made in the LA Times earlier this week stated that current drought conditions are “Not that bad.” The article implied that our current water supply crisis is solely a result of drought, and that extraordinary efforts to conserve may not be as necessary as many State and local officials have repeatedly insisted. These implications demonstrate a dangerous line of thinking that many people hold regarding an “endless” supply of water that will never dry up.
Southern California faces a structural imbalance between its water supplies and its water demands, even with normal levels of precipitation and snow, and every Southern Californian needs to heed calls to conserve, not just Long Beach residents, who continue to set records each month for low water consumption.
The State of California is in its third consecutive year of a drought. Even with the most recent improved snow pack survey results, the State is still planning on delivering eighty-five percent less water than has been requested by water contractors in Southern California, the Bay Area and the Central Valley. In addition, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), from which Southern California purchases all of its imported water, will implement a Water Shortage Allocation Plan in the coming months, which will have a huge impact on communities, both in water allocation and rates. And those communities not adequately prepared to deal with this plan will pay a price.
By far the most significant water supply issue we have involves the decline of fish populations in the Bay Delta estuary, which has led to pumping restrictions on imported water delivered from the north to the southern part of our state, where two-thirds of the population resides. These restrictions are currently resulting in an approximate thirty percent cut in water deliveries to several regions throughout our state. In fact, just this week, the State imposed additional protections on two different species of fish that reside in this estuary. Over the next several weeks, there will be additional legal opinions and rulings to protect additional fish species, which will likely result in additional restrictions on pumping, resulting in additional cuts in water deliveries.
Today, our most critical water supply reserves continue to remain dramatically low with little to no prospect of recovery this year. Add to that an ever-increasing population, which has grown by millions since our state’s last water supply crisis just two decades ago, and an overly-casual, business as usual attitude with regard to our water use, and we have the recipe for a disaster.
We all need to be less reactionary and more informed when it comes to our water crisis. Relying on increases in future rain and snowfall, or a miracle weather event, to fix our water deficit, is not only short-sighted and irresponsible, but it is bound to result in failure. A permanent change in our water-using behavior is necessary, regardless of whether there is a drought or not. Conservation is an absolutely necessary component of a viable, long-term water supply and we all need to hold ourselves and our neighbors accountable.
John Allen, President, Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners
Suja Lowenthal, Board Member, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Long Beach Continues Record Setting Conservation
Long Beach Continues Extraordinary Water Conservation
City's water consumption nearing 20 percent below 10-Year Average for Fiscal Year '09; February '09 is
27.6 percent below average
"So. Cal no longer has enough water to meet demand, even in normal hydrologic years." LB Water Official, Sept. 13, 2007
LONG BEACH, CA - Today, with an announcement that the City of Long Beach has again set another 10-year record low for water consumption, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners are reminding Long Beach residents, and regional media, that the need for sustained, extraordinary water conservation remains a priority, and that drought conditions in the state are a small part of the reason. Last month, Long Beach set a new record 10-year low for water consumption, using 27.6 percent below the city's historical 10 year average. For the Fiscal Year, which started October 1, Long Beach water consumption is over 18 percent below the historical 10-year average. The 10-year historical average is from FY'98 to FY'07, which are the 10 years prior to Long Beach's call for extraordinary conservation and prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. February '09 is the sixteenth record setting month for low water consumption since September 2007.
"Long Beach implemented extraordinary conservation measures long before people were talking about weather conditions or the drought," according to Kevin L. Wattier, General Manager of the Long Beach Water Department. "Southern California faces a structural imbalance between its water supplies and its water demands, even in normal years, and every Southern Californian needs to heed the Governor's call to reduce their water consumption by 20 percent."
On September 13, 2007, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners issued a Declaration of Imminent Water Supply Shortage and activated the City's Emergency Water Supply Shortage Plan. As a result, the Board of Water Commissioners issued mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. "The Board took the action it did, over a year ago now, to specifically forestall and lessen the impact of an expected water supply shortage," states John Allen, President of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners. The Board's Declaration and implementation of permanent outdoor watering prohibitions in 2007 was specifically necessitated by the profound impact of permanent reductions to imported water deliveries into southern California; dramatic reductions in water storage levels in key reservoirs in northern California, along with climate realities.
Today, twenty months later, the State of California, even with the recently improved snowpack conditions, is still planning on delivering 85% less water than has been requested by water contractors in the Bay Area, the Central Valley and in Southern California; and, the Federal government continues to tell farmers in the Central Valley that they should plan on receiving very little water from Federal water sources this year. Today, we continue to be impacted by legal rulings restricting the amount of water the State of California is able to move from the north to the south part of the state, where two-thirds of the population lives. These restrictions have already resulted in a significant cut in water deliveries to southern California. Just yesterday, the State imposed additional protections on two different species of fish that reside in the Bay Delta estuary, and over the next several weeks their will be additional legal opinions and rulings to protect additional fish species, which will likely result in additional restrictions on pumping, with additional cuts in deliveries. Today, our most critical water supply reserves continue to remain dramatically low with little to no prospect of recovery this year. Today, most of southern California continues to gamble with our water supply future by hinging all bets on unlikely to happen weather events.
"A water shortage is imminent, and Long Beach has prepared itself to deal with it," according to Allen. "Prepare for the worst, hope is not a responsible option."
City's water consumption nearing 20 percent below 10-Year Average for Fiscal Year '09; February '09 is
27.6 percent below average
"So. Cal no longer has enough water to meet demand, even in normal hydrologic years." LB Water Official, Sept. 13, 2007
LONG BEACH, CA - Today, with an announcement that the City of Long Beach has again set another 10-year record low for water consumption, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners are reminding Long Beach residents, and regional media, that the need for sustained, extraordinary water conservation remains a priority, and that drought conditions in the state are a small part of the reason. Last month, Long Beach set a new record 10-year low for water consumption, using 27.6 percent below the city's historical 10 year average. For the Fiscal Year, which started October 1, Long Beach water consumption is over 18 percent below the historical 10-year average. The 10-year historical average is from FY'98 to FY'07, which are the 10 years prior to Long Beach's call for extraordinary conservation and prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. February '09 is the sixteenth record setting month for low water consumption since September 2007.
"Long Beach implemented extraordinary conservation measures long before people were talking about weather conditions or the drought," according to Kevin L. Wattier, General Manager of the Long Beach Water Department. "Southern California faces a structural imbalance between its water supplies and its water demands, even in normal years, and every Southern Californian needs to heed the Governor's call to reduce their water consumption by 20 percent."
On September 13, 2007, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners issued a Declaration of Imminent Water Supply Shortage and activated the City's Emergency Water Supply Shortage Plan. As a result, the Board of Water Commissioners issued mandatory prohibitions on certain outdoor uses of water. "The Board took the action it did, over a year ago now, to specifically forestall and lessen the impact of an expected water supply shortage," states John Allen, President of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners. The Board's Declaration and implementation of permanent outdoor watering prohibitions in 2007 was specifically necessitated by the profound impact of permanent reductions to imported water deliveries into southern California; dramatic reductions in water storage levels in key reservoirs in northern California, along with climate realities.
Today, twenty months later, the State of California, even with the recently improved snowpack conditions, is still planning on delivering 85% less water than has been requested by water contractors in the Bay Area, the Central Valley and in Southern California; and, the Federal government continues to tell farmers in the Central Valley that they should plan on receiving very little water from Federal water sources this year. Today, we continue to be impacted by legal rulings restricting the amount of water the State of California is able to move from the north to the south part of the state, where two-thirds of the population lives. These restrictions have already resulted in a significant cut in water deliveries to southern California. Just yesterday, the State imposed additional protections on two different species of fish that reside in the Bay Delta estuary, and over the next several weeks their will be additional legal opinions and rulings to protect additional fish species, which will likely result in additional restrictions on pumping, with additional cuts in deliveries. Today, our most critical water supply reserves continue to remain dramatically low with little to no prospect of recovery this year. Today, most of southern California continues to gamble with our water supply future by hinging all bets on unlikely to happen weather events.
"A water shortage is imminent, and Long Beach has prepared itself to deal with it," according to Allen. "Prepare for the worst, hope is not a responsible option."
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
State Water Officials Issue New Snow Survey: Keep Conserving Water
California Dept of Water Resources Media Release:
The Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) third snow survey of the winter season indicates snow water content is 80 percent of normal for the date, statewide.
“Although recent storms have added to the snowpack, California remains in a serious drought,” said DWR Director Lester Snow. “This year’s precipitation levels are still below average. On the heels of two critically dry years it is unlikely we will make up the deficit and be able to refill our reservoirs before winter’s end. It’s very important that Californians continue to save water at home and in their businesses.”
Manual survey results taken today at four locations near Lake Tahoe were combined with electronic readings and indicate a statewide snowpack water content of 80 percent (84 percent in the Northern Sierra, 77 percent in the Central Sierra, and 83 percent in the Southern Sierra.) Last year at this time, snowpack was 114 percent of normal, but the driest spring on record followed, resulting in a second consecutive dry water year. Daily electronic readings may be accessed at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snowsurvey_sno/DLYSWEQ.
On February 27, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a drought state of emergency, directing DWR and other state agencies to provide assistance to people and communities impacted by the drought.
Local water agencies are updating Urban Water Management Plans and DWR is facilitating what water transfers may be available through its Drought Water Bank program. Many providers have already enacted mandatory or voluntary water rationing and it is likely more agencies will require some form of rationing if dry conditions persist.
Storage in California’s major reservoirs is low. Lake Oroville, the principal storage reservoir for the State Water Project (SWP), is at 39 percent of capacity, and 55 percent of average storage for this time of year.
Continuing dry conditions and regulatory agency restrictions on Delta water exports are limiting water deliveries to farms and urban areas. A forthcoming Biological Opinion from the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect salmon and steelhead may further reduce pumping capability. DWR’s early estimate is that it will only be able to deliver 15 percent of requested State Water Project water this year to the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast and Southern California.
Governor Schwarzenegger has outlined steps to safeguard the state’s water supply through a comprehensive plan that includes water conservation, more surface and groundwater storage, new investments in the state’s aging water infrastructure, and improved water conveyance to protect the environment and provide a reliable water supply. Today’s drought and regulatory restrictions underscore the need to take action to safeguard tomorrow’s water supply.
The Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) third snow survey of the winter season indicates snow water content is 80 percent of normal for the date, statewide.
“Although recent storms have added to the snowpack, California remains in a serious drought,” said DWR Director Lester Snow. “This year’s precipitation levels are still below average. On the heels of two critically dry years it is unlikely we will make up the deficit and be able to refill our reservoirs before winter’s end. It’s very important that Californians continue to save water at home and in their businesses.”
Manual survey results taken today at four locations near Lake Tahoe were combined with electronic readings and indicate a statewide snowpack water content of 80 percent (84 percent in the Northern Sierra, 77 percent in the Central Sierra, and 83 percent in the Southern Sierra.) Last year at this time, snowpack was 114 percent of normal, but the driest spring on record followed, resulting in a second consecutive dry water year. Daily electronic readings may be accessed at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snowsurvey_sno/DLYSWEQ.
On February 27, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a drought state of emergency, directing DWR and other state agencies to provide assistance to people and communities impacted by the drought.
Local water agencies are updating Urban Water Management Plans and DWR is facilitating what water transfers may be available through its Drought Water Bank program. Many providers have already enacted mandatory or voluntary water rationing and it is likely more agencies will require some form of rationing if dry conditions persist.
Storage in California’s major reservoirs is low. Lake Oroville, the principal storage reservoir for the State Water Project (SWP), is at 39 percent of capacity, and 55 percent of average storage for this time of year.
Continuing dry conditions and regulatory agency restrictions on Delta water exports are limiting water deliveries to farms and urban areas. A forthcoming Biological Opinion from the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect salmon and steelhead may further reduce pumping capability. DWR’s early estimate is that it will only be able to deliver 15 percent of requested State Water Project water this year to the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast and Southern California.
Governor Schwarzenegger has outlined steps to safeguard the state’s water supply through a comprehensive plan that includes water conservation, more surface and groundwater storage, new investments in the state’s aging water infrastructure, and improved water conveyance to protect the environment and provide a reliable water supply. Today’s drought and regulatory restrictions underscore the need to take action to safeguard tomorrow’s water supply.
Friday, February 27, 2009
KCET's "Drought Busters"
KCET covers water conservation in Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Watch it at http://kcet.org/socal/2009/02/drought-busters.html
Watch it at http://kcet.org/socal/2009/02/drought-busters.html
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Despite rain, Nor Cal remains DRY; and it's a major water source for Long Beach
Despite recent precipitation, Northern California remains in “extreme drought”; DWR official says 15% allocation unlikely to be increased
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