Everyone has heard about Carbon Sequestration. This occurs when carbon dioxide, created by combustion of fossil fuels and released into the atmosphere, is absorbed by trees, plants and crops which is then assimilated into the soil. But have you heard about Blue Carbon Sequestration? Join us on Tuesday, October 19th at 1pm when SEAC will have guest speakers from WildCoast, an International team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems. Learn why and how coral reefs, coastal wetlands and mangroves absorb carbon from the atmosphere or Blue Carbon Sequestration.
What innovation and planning has there been in San Diego County to prepare for drought and future imported water shortages? Click the links below to take a virtual tour of two such innovations, the Pure Water Project and the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.
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Pure Water San Diegois the City of San Diego's phased, multi-year program that will provide more than 40% of San Diego's water supply locally by the end of 2035. The Pure Water San Diego Program will use proven water purification technology to clean recycled water to produce safe, high-quality drinking water. The Program offers a cost-effective investment for San Diego's water needs and will provide a reliable, sustainable water supply.
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TheCarlsbad desalination projectis the first large-scale desalination plant on the West Coast, privately financed and developed by the Poseidon Resources Corporation. The project includes a desalination plant, a pumping station, product water storage and a ten-mile finished water conveyance pipeline. The plant produces 50 million gallons of desalinated seawater a day and provides 10% of the total drinking water needed by San Diego. The water from this plant is purchased by the Carlsbad water agencies, and is supplemented with imported water from San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), the region’s water supplier.
Do you know that southern California’s largest wetland is in San Diego County? The Tijuana River meets the Pacific Ocean along the Mexican border at Border Field State Park forming the Tijuana River Estuary. Estuaries filter out toxins, provide flood control and are the homes to many animals, fish and migrating birds. This is also the ancestral land of the Kumeyaay People. Docents from the Estuary Visitor’s Center provide guided plant and wildlife walks every 4th Saturday of the month from 11-12pm. The next scheduled walk is October 23rd. Bird Walks are the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays of the month from 10-11am. Both are free and begin at the Visitor’s Center. Read more aboutBorder Field State Parkandthe Tijuana Estuary!
Based onour positions, LWV California reviews bills before the state legislature and takes action in support of or opposition to certain measures. Following are the bills regarding water that the LWVC has taken a position on for the 2021-2022 session (click links for details).
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AB 252(Rivas) Department of Conservation: Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program
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SB 222(Dodd) Water Rate Assistance Program
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SB 223(Dodd) Discontinuation of residential water service
As a city and a county we are facing some challenging water issues as we navigate our drought conditions in the western United States. However, in League, we can educate ourselves and our communities, take action and plan for the future. Our actions as individuals and our power as a group make a difference! I hope to see you at our next SEAC meeting on October 19th at 1pm. EmailRuth Sandvenwith any questions or great ideas!
Zero Waste Tips
You can save water and save money at the same time! Find your water district and water saving programs and rebates for your community at theSan Diego County Water Authority website.
A number of rebates are available to San Diegans to help make water saving options more affordable: