CA, US & World
Water Negotiations Continue for Southern California Water Districts Amid Drought
The drought continues to grip the west with no signs of letting up.
One of the hardest hit places is the Colorado River, which serves about 40 million people, including right here in the Coachella Valley.
But action is being taken.
“We’re here to highlight with renewed sense of urgency,” Governor Gavin Newsom said. “The reality is we need to be more creative and we need to be more aggressive, in terms of not just promoting this technology, but delivering on its promise. Moreover, delivering on its potential.”
Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new strategy to help grow the state’s water supply by targeting water recycling, storage and desalination over the next two decades.
Just last week, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act which allocates $4 billion dollars towards expanding drought mitigation.
It could be used to pay farmers and rural districts, as well as install new water efficient technology.
But, water districts in our region are already doing what they can to save the Colorado River.
“I want to reiterate the fact how important that river is. It is our only source of water,” Imperial Irrigation District Public Information Officer, Robert Schettler, said.
The Imperial Irrigation District has the largest rights to the river in California.
With the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation mandating all those who rely on the river to cut 2 to 4 million acre-feet of water, along with the Metropolitan Water District, IID is currently negotiating additional massive cuts of water supply.
“We’re already doing a lot,” Schettler continued. “We’re conserving about 500,000 acre feet a year already. By conserving 500,000, what comes to the Valley for actual use is anywhere from 2.5 to 2.6 million acre feet. It’s still a lot of water. So are we doing something? Yeah, we are. We’re conserving 500,000. Can we do more? That’s the question of the day.”
All without affecting the backbone of their economy: agriculture.
“One in six jobs is directly related to agriculture,” Schettler explained. “If we don’t farm as much as we’re farming now,, it’s going to have an impact. That’s where some money would have to come in. There’s going to have to be mitigation money in some form to pay the farmers back for their land that they’re not producing.”
But this water is imperative to their survival.
“If something that would happen to that river, we would have to go farm or live elsewhere because that is it,” Schettler shared.
Schettler said the Bureau of Reclamation is meeting next week to announce their 24-month projections which could change how much water they cut.
By: Carmela Karcher
August 11, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What’s your favorite NFL team?
A major cleanup is underway after powerful waves damaged 14 beachfront homes near Capistrano Beach in Orange County. Residents are concerned their homes could remain vulnerable without protective measures in place. Crews are clearing debris, while efforts to bring in protective boulders were delayed by high tide. #California #OrangeCounty #CapistranoBeach #CoastalWaves #Beachfront #WeatherNews
Two new Girl Scout cookies are coming in 2027 🍪 Meet Sparkables: a crunchy oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles, developed with Partake in a facility designed to avoid the nine major food allergens. And for the pups: Patch Pals 🐾 Soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored dog cookies in four adorable designs. Both will be available online beginning in January. Which one are you most excited to try? #GirlScouts #GirlScoutCookies #NewCookies #DogTreats #FoodAllergyFriendly #CookieSeason
It’s more than just dancing — it’s fitness, confidence and community. A Coachella Valley dance studio is helping adults move their bodies, have fun and step into their power, one class at a time. And during Beyoncé’s birthday week, the energy was turned all the way up. “When in doubt, twerk it out.” See how VXN Worldwide Dance Company is getting the Valley moving — and building confidence along the way. Read more at NBCPalmSprings.com. #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Dance #Fitness #Community NBCPalmSprings
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What are you going to be for Halloween? 🎃
Labor Day traffic is picking up in Palm Springs. If you’re heading out, our Maria Noble Valdez has what you can expect on the roads here. Be sure to stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs and nbcpalmsprings.com for more Labor Day coverage #LaborDay #LaborDayTraffic #PalmSprings #TrafficUpdate #i10