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Desal back in the news

Update: The MMWD approved their own initiative in a move that will send two initiatives to the November ballot. Read the entire story in the Marin IJ.

Tonight, in a special meeting, the Marin Municipal Water District board members will consider approving an initiative that will require the desalination project to be put to a vote on the November ballot.

Opponents of the desalination plant obtained 17,000 signatures to qualify the initiative for consideration for placement on the ballot. If approved, the initiative would require voter approval before funding of, or construction of a desalination plant could take place. The MMWD already approved plans to move forward to build the $105 million plant last year despite strong resistance from Marin residents. 

Marin gets the majority of its water from several reservoirs, like Alpine Lake pictured at right, in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed. Although the reservoirs have had low water levels for the past several years due to drought, this year a wetter than normal winter and spring helped to raise water levels back to normal. Proponents of the desalination plant which would initially produce 5 million gallons of water per day, say it continuing drought conditions necessitate building the plant. Opponents insist that water conservation efforts and renovation and repair of outmoded and leaky water infrastructure are sufficient.

The special meeting takes place Monday evening, 7:30 p.m. at MMWD headquarters at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 5th Avenue, San Rafael.

Desal plant in Marin? Take it to the voters...

The decision to build a desalination plant could be up to the public and not the water district.

A group called the Coalition for the Public Right to Vote on Desalination has just secured, and delivered, 15,250 signatures, enough to place an initiative on the November ballot which would require a public vote before a desalination plant could be built in Marin County.

The Marin Responsible Water Policy Initiative, has been endorsed by State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco/San Rafael), the Marin United Taxpayer's Association, Food & Water Watch and a host of other environmental and political organizations.

The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) has been a long-time proponent of building a Marin-based desalination plant despite widespread opposition. The planned $400-million structure--which was already well along in the planning stages--has been postponed. MMWD had cited projected population growth, continuing drought and changing water usage as reasons for building a desal plant.  Marin currently relies on reservoirs for its water, like Bon Tempe pictured above.

Marin residents continue to fight desalination plant

Opponents of the plan to build a desalination plant in Marin, just lobbed another shot over the bow of the Marin Municipal Water District, in the water-wars battle.

According to the Marin IJ, a lawsuit was filed on Monday, seeking an injunction to halt any more progress on the plant proposal. 

Desalination plant another step closer to reality

After listening to vehement public opposition for a little over three hours, Marin Municipal Water District board members voted 4-0 to formally approve a resolution to move forward with the $105 million Marin Municipal Water Desalination Project. 

As the board members began to vote, most of the audience got up and walked out of the Marin Civic Center's Exhibit Hall, in protest.

MMWD expected to vote on controversial desal plant tonight

After a long, contentious debate--and more of which is expected before tonight's vote--Marin Municipal Water District board members are expected to give the go ahead to build a $105 million dollar desalination plant in San Rafael.

The highly controversial plant, has been at the center of stormy protests by environmentalists, consumer groups and even conservatives in Marin who claim conservation is the better choice.  But the district and several board members have expressed doubts that conservation efforts would be sufficient to provide the water necessary for Marin residents during a protracted, severe drought. 

Still, despite expected high energy costs and claims of adverse impact on the Bay, it appears the board will likely approve plans to construct the plant.

Marin isn't the only water district pursuing desalination; recently the state Coastal Commission gave the green light for a $300 million dollar desal plant in Carlsbad, near San Diego.

The MMWD board members will vote tonight after a public hearing, at 7:30 p.m. at the Marin Civic Center's Exhibit Hall.  10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael

Free gardening advice for green thumbs who want to be water-wise

The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) is providing free, expert advice for anyone with a garden--renter or homeowner--who wants to conserve water. 

The MMWD has teamed up with 40 Marin Master Gardeners from Bay-Friendly Gardening who will come out to your home and give you a personalized assessment on ways to improve your garden to become more drought resistant, and use less water.  (For instance replacing the lawn--pictured above--with native plants.)

They will also do an irrigation system analysis to see if you are wasting water, and if you want to replace inefficient sprinklers, MMWD offers monetary rebates.

MMWD customers interested in scheduling a free Garden Walk can contact Marin Master Gardeners at (415) 499-4204.

Bolinas Residents Allowed To Use More Water Now

The onerous- but necessary- 150 gallon-a-day water restriction has been lifted for Bolinas residents. 

Late February and March rains helped to fill up the main water source, plus two backup reservoirs.  And strong conservation efforts by most of the towns residents also worked.  The restrictive usage limit was enacted after water supplies dwindled to a trickle in January.  If residents failed to comply with the restrictions three times, their water supply would have been cut off. 

Bolinas residents, and the rest of Marin, will have even more reasons to cheer; significant rain is expected today and towards the end of the week.

Feb Rains Give Snowpack A Boost But It's Still Below Normal

Water officials measured snow pack in the Sierra on Monday and although recent rains have helped tremendously we are still about only 80% of normal.  Water content would have to be 120 or 130 percent of normal to replenish dry reservoirs.

Still, rain is expected to continue until Thursday and every little bit helps.

Governor Will Declare Drought Emergency For California

Update:  The Governor issued the proclamation this afternoon.

Three years of below average rain, less snowpack and dwindling reservoirs have prompted Governor Schwarzenegger to declare a drought state of emergency.   The Governor is expected to sign a proclamation sometime Friday afternoon.

About two dozen water agencies have placed mandatory restrictions on customers and several dozen more have voluntary water reductions plans already in place, including Sonoma and Marin county.

Keep Your Fingers Crossed And Continue The Rain Dances

The rain has really eased a dire situation but we're not out of the woods yet.  Reservoirs are now at 72% capacity which is much better news than a few weeks ago, when they were barely over 50%.

Several of the smaller reservoirs are even at capacity. 

The rain is expected to continue through the week. 

A Lot Of Rain Doesn't Wash Away Drought Worries

It pretty much poured this weekend and it's expected to continue well into the week causing some flooding worries for Marin residents.  But don't think the recent rain mean you don't have to worry about the drought.  Marin reservoirs are definitely in better shape, but we need the rains to continue so we don't face what Contra Costa and Santa Clara water districts have just been told-     

Rains Not Enough To Erase Water Negatives

The last few days have been wet, wet, wet but it's not enough yet to overcome potential drought conditions say folks who know these things.  January was one of the driest on record and that didn't help either. 

On Tuesday evening, the North Marin Water District adopted an emergency water conservation ordinance that- among other things- restricts some new water hookups; prohibits water from being wasted (e.g. failure to prevent water from running down the gutter from landscape watering or failure to fix a broken sprinkler); enacts a prohibition of non-essential water use (e.g. watering down sidewalks, driveways and decks or refilling swimming pool after March 1) and limits watering of lawns to between 10pm and 6am only. 

For the time being, though, they aren't enacting mandatory rationing but are asking customers to try and reduce water use by 15%.  The district lists water conserving tips on their website.

That's only phase one.  If the dry weather continues, then Novato faces phase two with much tougher restrictions including mandatory water conservation of 25%. 

Sonoma County provides Novato with 80% of its water and they are close enacting mandatory restrictions on their customers.  Those officials say it will take another couple of weeks of continuous, strong, steady rain in order to avoid being deemed a 'critically dry year.'  

However, Marin Municipal Water District GM, Paul Helliker is in his own words, "we're dancing...we're happy" over the recent rains.  Here's the KTVU video link.

Focus On Green - The Rain Can Sustain In Times Of Drought

Want to avoid brown lawn and garden?  Wish you could capture the rain during the wet months?   The rain can sustain...just ask the folks at Sustainable Fairfax.  They have a whole range of suggestions on how to to capture rain and hold onto it to water your garden during the drier months. (click photos to enlarge)

At Least This Week, It Doesn't Feel Like A Drought

Canceled flights, postponed golf tournaments and some power outages were all ushered in by a chilly, windy and rainy weekend.  And it's supposed to continue off and on through Thursday in some Bay Area spots.

Forecasters say it won't be enough to make up for lost rainfall but the ski resorts were pretty happy. (photo courtesy MSNBC.com)

County Desalination Plant's Final EIR Is Certified

"At a certain point, you can't conserve you're way out of nothing." 

And with that, Marin Municipal Water District board President Alex Forman joined his colleages to vote 5-0 to approve the final environmental impact report for a proposal to build a desalination plant in Marin County.

Water District Approves Backfeeding Water Into Stafford Lake

"We'll be facing critically dry conditions by the first of March without some relief."

Facing drought conditions and likely water shortages for customers in the upcoming months, the North Marin Water District (NMWD) on Tuesday evening, approved an order to immediately begin moving water from the Russian River into Stafford Lake.

January Was Third Driest On Record, Get Ready For Rationing

Rain totals in January were abysmal.  Less than an inch fell in Central/Southern Marin which normally averages about eight inches, making it the third driest on record.  That brings the total for the season to less than half the normal amount of rain. 

Sonoma County Water Agency Throws Down The Gauntlet

Let the water wars begin. 

Citing the drought conditions, the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) will cut anywhere from 30 to 50% of Russian River water deliveries to Marin County, and that translates to disaster for Novato which relies on 80% of its water supplies from our neighbor to the north.

SCWA officials claim they are in 'uncharted territory' referring to the looming drought, and a 30% rationing order could turn into 50% soon for Sonoma water users.  Novato residents have already been cutting their use by 15% over the last two years and their usage will certainly be more restricted as the days get drier.  Novato had been looking at an option to purchase water from Sonoma to backfill Stafford Lake but that option may soon be off the table.

Southern Marin, which relies much less on Sonoma water supplies, will be less effected but those Marinites are also facing rationing.  The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) that serves Southern and Central Marin has reservoir levels at just 54% of capacity.  Users face increasing liklihood of rationing as well, with 25% cuts in usage if the reservoirs fall below 50%. 

The MMWD recently hosted a public forum this week on addressing long-term drought solutions including a proposal for a desalination plant among others.  Looks like a short-term solution is needed as well.

The MMWD will consider certifying the final EIR for the desalination plan on February 4th at 7:30pm at the San Rafael City Council Chambers, 1400 - Fifth Avenue.  The public is welcome.

Marin Municipal Water District Presents Options For Drought Plan

"The water you're about to drink, deserves a second thought I think..."

That is the opening line from the poem, Recycled, and it could have applied to Tuesday nights Public Forum on Water Supply, presented by the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD).

We Had Rain, But Not Nearly Enough

The weekend sprinkles didn't add much to rain totals, nor put a dent into the drought conditions which Marin and the Bay Area are experiencing. 

Water officials are busy calculating water resources needed for the coming dry months and it's pretty clear that some rationing will be needed.  Precip totals are about 50% of normal and that's bad news with area reservoirs already low from previous dry spells.  Many of Marin's reservoirs are not in great shape.

So far, EBMUD is the only area water agency that has enacted mandatory cut-backs (15% from their customers), but it's likely that many more, including Marin, will be doing the same. 

Marin Municipal Water District officials are asking County residents to voluntarily cut back 10%, but if the drought continues and people don't conserve enough on their own, officials could enact mandatory rationing possibly up to 25%. 

MMWD is holding a public forum to discuss the water situation and possible solutions on Tuesday evening at the Marin Exhibit Hall at 7p.

Saving Water In Marin

Warm weather, no rain and La Nina equal drought and saving every bit of water is key which is where this high-tech water detector comes in-