In case you have procrastinated researching the measures on the November 8th 2016 ballot, here’s a rundown of the San Diego City Measures. Note that this guide contains personal political bias, and you should make your own decisions when voting. This is merely to give you a jump start if you’re doing last-minute research. Special thanks […]
Operation Pure Water
Desalination is hogging the drought-solutions spotlight, causing programs like Pure Water San Diego to fly under the radar. The idea behind the Pure Water program is to recycle sewage into potable water using advanced scientific methods. Before you get too grossed out, you should know that after treatment, the water is cleaner than most current […]
Water Rights in California Influenced by Gold Rush
California’s laws about water rights is an interestingly mixed system, largely influenced by the gold rush era. The eastern seaboard primarily uses a riparian system based on English common law, in which a person owning land with water flowing through it, may use a correlative portion of that water. But with the influx of gold […]
Carlsbad Desalination Plant
Construction is underway on a desalination plant in Carlsbad, CA that will provide approximately 7% of San Diego region’s potable water by 2020 (construction completion expected in 2016). Initial construction is estimated at $1 billion. Operating costs will be ~$50 million/year. The cost will be shouldered by San Diegans in the form of a $5-7 […]
California Drought Primer
California relies on a network of water storage and delivery systems to maintain supplies year-round. Precipitation and snowfall varies greatly by location, season, and year to year, with most occurring in northern California, while demand for water is primarily along the coast and valleys south of Sacramento. Most precipitation occurs October-April, but demand is highest […]