Water and Power: Capturing El Niño’s rains

Your guide to the California drought from the Los Angeles Times.

NEWS AND POLICY

Restoring groundwater: In Central California, water officials are preparing underground systems for what could be the bounty of water that accompanies El Niño. It’s a way to replenish groundwater systems that have been depleted by the drought. “A confluence of factors is focusing attention on stowing supplies underground, which is generally cheaper and less environmentally damaging than building a big dam and reservoir.”

Pipeline proposal: Gov. Jerry Brown is moving full steam ahead with plans to divert water under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The governor believes the $15.5-billion pipeline plan is essential to protect fish and water quality. “Delta landowners, Northern Californians and many environmentalists have for years opposed a conveyance, while labor unions and building trades groups that stand to benefit from a project support it.”

ON THE GROUND

Work underway: Following multiple warnings that the Salton Sea could be headed off the environmental cliff, officials have started work there on a $3.5-million project to restore 420 acres of Red Hill Bay. Rep. Paul Ruiz of Palm Desert says this is just the beginning. “The decline of the Salton Sea poses immense health and economic risks to families and children across Southern California,” Ruiz said.

Capturing the rain: In North Hollywood, one homeowner is embracing a new computerized storm capture system to help her community save water. Carrie Wassenaar’s roof now has gutters and downspouts to capture rain, which is then funneled into underground pipes and ends up in a large tank in her backyard. The water can be used for irrigation and other non-potable activities. During an average year, the new system could collect 7,000 gallons of water.

OFFBEAT

Excessive use: What could the 99 Ranch Market possibly be doing to go through 1,000 gallons of water an hour? The Pleasanton market is the area’s biggest violator of water conservation guidelines, resulting in a fine of $7,676. Water officials have reached out to the store’s officials to see why they’re using so much of the precious resource.

Bear sightings: If you want to see bears this fall, skip Sequoia National Park and visit the area’s tiny town of Three Rivers. The drought has forced bears out of the woods and into the town in search of food so they can fatten up for the long winter. “Quiet nights are interrupted by air horns, banging on pots or a gunshot to scare off creatures known to forage 20 hours a day as they prepare for long winter naps.”

BIG IDEAS

“Most weather experts acknowledge the weather phenomenon is as temperamental as a toddler.”

– Los Angeles County’s “El Niño 2015-2016” report

“Here’s a good idea that actually uses taxpayer money in an effective way: Let’s transfer funds from the high-speed rail boondoggle and use them to prepare our state for future droughts.”

– Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) on California’s spending

DROUGHT SNAPSHOT

A tractor prepares the Boswell bank by clearing weeds and debris, allowing for better percolation of captured surface water.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A tractor prepares the Boswell bank by clearing weeds and debris, allowing for better percolation of captured surface water. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

DAILY TIP

Even if you’ve ripped out your lawn and embraced drought-tolerant plantings, it’s important to care for your trees:

• Water mature trips once or twice a month with a simple soaker hose;
• Young trees need five gallons of water two to four times a week;
• Shower with a bucket and use the leftover water on trees, just as long as it’s free of non-biodegradable soaps.

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday: The Metropolitan Water District’s board of directors will meet in downtown Los Angeles.

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