Association of California Water Agencies Executive Director Dave Eggerton recently issued a statement in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation for the expansion of the drought emergency and proposal to invest $5.1 billion over four years for drought infrastructure, preparedness and response, in addition to proposing $1 billion to address customer water debt stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“ACWA appreciates the governor’s targeted and strategic approach to expanding the emergency drought proclamation in California and his strong commitment to increased investment in water infrastructure, drought response and improved climate resilience,” reads the statement. “The extended drought emergency covers areas of the state hardest hit by drought while recognizing the significant investments in water reliability made by local water managers across the state.
“The governor’s funding plan includes $1 billion to address water customer debt that has accumulated due to the financial impacts of COVID-19. This funding is essential to recovering from the pandemic in a way that helps impacted Californians, while preserving the operational viability of water systems.”
Montana Resort to Recycle Wastewater for Snow on Ski Runs
After a decade of work on the project, a popular private ski resort near Big Sky, Montana, could soon be the first in the state to recycle wastewater and turn it into fresh snow for ski runs.
The Yellowstone Club says its snow could be made from 25 million gallons of wastewater from the club’s treatment plant and the Big Sky County Sewer District.
Rich Chandler, the club’s environmental manager, told the Idaho Statesman during a video call that they’re just trying to recycle. “That’s all we’re doing. We’re recycling a phenomenal resource.”
Conservation Groups Plan Lawsuit Over Piney Point Wastewater Leak
Environmental conservation groups are planning to sue the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, HRK Holdings and the Manatee County Port Authority over the recent Piney Point wastewater leak.
The groups say regulators ignored 10 years of warning signs, including recommendations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “If we don’t file this lawsuit, our concern is that the DEP, the county and HRK is going to choose a path of least resistance for getting rid of the waste that they’re left managing, and deep-well injection appears to be such a path,” Jaclyn Lopez of the Center for Biological Diversity told Public News Service.
