Brown's message: Drought's over, but conservation still matters Sacramento Bee | Page 3A
California's drought is over. But don't get carried away.
That was the basic message in a proclamation issued Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown, which rescinds a statewide drought declaration adopted in February 2009 by his predecessor.
"While this season's storms have lifted us out of the drought, it's critical that Californians continue to watch their water use," Brown said in a statement. "Drought or no drought, demand for water in California always outstrips supply. Continued conservation is key."
History has shown that drought is part of the regular weather cycle in California.
Even without shortages, conservation reduces utility bills, saves expenses by local utility agencies, and ensures adequate streamflow for fish and other environment needs.
April 2010 A terrific overview of the dilemma with the world's water supply - beautifully documented in this month's edition of National Geograghic. One article focuses on the fight over the distribution of water in California and highlights its perilous state, " A major earthquake could slash supplies for two-thirds of Californians" and "A three-year drought and a sardine-size fish have brought the state to its knees." Below are some highlights.
March 17, 2010 Rain Harvesting News Reports
ABC News, Channel 7 of San Francisco ran an excellent review of the advantages of rain water harvesting in the Bay Area. Many of the products shown in the report can be provided by Aussie Rain Tanks.
Sustainable Silicon Velley In December 2009 Aussie Rain Tanks displayed a number of Bushman and rainwater HOG products at the Sustainable Silicon Valley event at NASA Ames base in Mountain View, Check out our video 'shout out' produced by Joe Romero of Sneeze Bone Productions joe@sneezebone.com.
San Francisco Chronicle
Thursday, March 5, 2009
On the California Drought
State of emergency?
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's declaration of a statewide drought emergency last week had classic comic timing: It's been pouring ever since. What's not funny are the governor's proposals: Expedited water transfers now, which may adversely affect fish and wildlife, and possible mandatory rationing later. Is the drought really that bad?
Some would say no. The Sierra Nevada snowpack has at least 80 percent of its normal snow levels. Precipitation rates in the northern and southern Sierra have reached 90 percent of normal. Experts believe we may have more runoff than last year. January was a punishingly dry month, but February wasn't, and there are still more storms on the way.
The state is in a drought, no question, but it's not even close to the worst one we've ever had. Also, 2007 and 2008 were years of drought, but water levels during those years weren't anything to panic about, either. So what's really going on?
The state Department of Water Resources claims that while the water levels may look acceptable, other factors are exacerbating the drought's seriousness. There are more people in the state than there were during some of our worst drought years, they say, and the delta is far more fragile than it was then too.
Plus, federal restrictions on water deliveries to protect the delta smelt mean that the State Water Project will be able to allocate only 15 percent of requested water deliveries. This goes a long way toward explaining why state water interests are
The Rainwater Observer
For the Future of Water Efficiency, Look to Australia
Tue, Jan 27, 2009
To see where the future of water use may be heading for the United States, we need to look no further than Australia. For many decades, the Australians have had to deal with water scarcity and prolonged droughts throughout much of the country while supporting a growing population, expanding infrastructure and agriculture. Rainwater harvesting has been an essential part of the Australian approach to conserving water and is now a mandatory component on new construction in parts of the country.
Here are some of the recommendations from the Australia delegation touring U.S. cities to share their experiences with water efficiency as a result of prolonged drought (from meeting 1/13/09). Source: Brad Lancaster
Price water at its true value. National or Regional water initiative that regulates water– pricing, allocation and water for environment
Plan for rapid shifts in water loss in Colorado River basin
Encourage agricultural water efficiencies now to be prepared for future water restrictions
Create household use targets (35 gallons per person per day in most large Australian cities).
Consider stormwater harvesting as another water source. Harvest street stormwater, pipe to wetland for filtration then into aquifer.
Unbundle water rights to have more control.
Permanent water conservation measures not restrictions.
Watering time of day restrictions.
Set reclaimed water use goal (45% target in South Australia).
Rainwater harvesting requirement on all new construction.
