Effect of Climate Change on Water Supplies
Climate Change is projected to reduce water supplies mostly in the southwestern, central and southeastern regions of the United States. Today 10 percent of counties are at high or extreme risk of water shortages, and in 2050 that proportion of at-risk counties will grow to 32 percent. Projections assume an increase in greenhouse gas emissions through 2050 and a slow decline after.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/mediate-this/sd-me-mediatethis0303-story.html
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The National Conflict Resolution Center handles many disputes involving minor family tensions that escalate into major sources of friction. We explore this category today with an example of a couple locked in disagreement over water conservation practices. Partner A, who grudgingly agreed to curtail water usage during the drought, believes the current onslaught of rain is a license to take long showers and run the tap while brushing teeth. Partner B, who is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, sees no reason to backslide into wasteful habits.
Like most domestic standoffs, this was prompted by a “presenting issue” (an argument over water conservation), but it involves more complex challenges of handling 24/7 diverging views and clashing priorities.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/9211996-181/pge-abandoning-water-power-project-in
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n a letter to Mendocino County stakeholders, the embattled utility said: “We recognize the gravity of this action, but believe it is appropriate given PG&E’s current circumstances.”
The expected bankruptcy filing “underscores the decision,” but was not the primary cause, PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno said. “We have been looking to divest this and other (hydro) projects that are noneconomical for years,” he said.
Power from Potter Valley exceeds the cost of alternative sources of renewable power on the open market and is therefore a burden on PG&E ratepayers, Moreno said.
But the water is virtually invaluable, especially to towns and ranches along the upper Russian River from Potter Valley to Healdsburg. The 7,000-acre valley alone produces $34 million worth of wine grapes, cattle and other products a year.
Grant Davis, general manager of Sonoma Water, said the water diverted from the Eel River and stored in Lake Mendocino near Ukiah, is “critically important” to his agency’s 600,000 customers.
Asked if Sonoma County could afford to lose that water, Davis said: “I think everyone would like that answered.”
http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:17337%20edition:prelim)
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http://www.govtech.com/fs/Baltimore-Md-Uses-Smart-Meters-to-Transform-Water-Billing.html
(TNS) — The head of Baltimore’s water department told City Council members Wednesday that he expects the problem of disputed water bills to be greatly improved next year thanks to the rollout of smart-meter technology.
Rudy Chow, the city’s director of public works, told the council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee that the department has progressed significantly in his six years running it.
“We are making a tremendous amount of progress in terms of getting ourselves into a steady state where water billing isn’t a problem on the technology end or customer service,” he said.
The city introduced new meters in October that can measure how much water a customer uses hour by hour and beam back information to the water department wirelessly. It also began sending customers monthly bills at that time. Previously, the department’s crews were deployed to read meters every three months.
Read more “Harvard’s $39B Endowment Is Secretly Acquiring California’s Water Supply”
EXCERPT:
In drought-stressed areas like California where every drop in the aquifer counts, seismic noise may be the key to monitoring water. Harvard University PhD student and principal investigator Tim Clements spoke to EM about this recent work, and how it might be a game changer for water watchers across the country.
SKYWATER – Advanced Air-to-Water Technology a solution to water shortages worldwide