Water

March 2008 —We commented on the proposed Recycled Water Policy under consideration by the State Water Resources Control Board. PDF File.  Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. We conditioned our support for recycling of water used for cooling power plants, recharging aquifers, and landscape and agricultural irrigation on the need for the agency to specify steps that will be taken to prevent contamination of underlying groundwater basins (especially from salts and emerging chemicals) and – should the underlying groundwater become contaminated – steps that will be taken to clean up the basins.

January 2008 - Even in the midst of drought, California can experience stormwater "riches." The capture of runoff, it's redirection to filtration facilities, wetlands, catch basins or groundwater recharge, was the topic of a one day seminar about better community planning for Low Impact Development (LID). The seminar title, Towards a More Humane Metropolis, was inspired by the book written by Rutherford H. Platt, author of The Humane Metropolis. The steps involved for LID programs are many and can be confusing. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a Diagram presented by Matt Yeager, the Storm Water Program Manager for the San Bernardino County Flood Control District can help make the cloudy concepts become a bit clearer. We also produced an article on this subject: "Stormwater Management and Low Impact Development" by Charolette Fox, Natural Resources Director.

September 2007 - The Governor has called a special legislative session to deal with water infrastructure. Read an overview of the issues to be addressed in "More Water, Less Cost?" by LWVC legislative consultant for water, Jack Sullivan.

March 2005 - Two representatives of the LWVC served on the Advisory Committee for the California Water Plan Update 2005.

Our letter to the Department of Water Resources illustrated the League's concerns as the update process took place.

Background

  • Our positions on Water issues. Adopted by the League of Women Voters of California and the basis of our action.