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Wednesday Update

February 28, 2024

DWR releases assessment of California desalination projects

DWR has released its assessment of the planned California desalination projects to meet the brackish water supply goals identified in California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future (Water Supply Strategy). Desalination of brackish water is expected to achieve the 2030 goal of an additional 28,000 acre-feet of water per year. This information will be included in the Desalination (Brackish Water and Seawater) Resource Management Strategy, which will be released for public review in the coming weeks.

Articles on desalination, recycled water released by water board

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has released two articles related to actions outlined in the Water Supply Strategy. One looks at the volume of water available for brackish groundwater desalination in groundwater basins impaired by salts and nutrients. State Water Board staff worked with the U.S. Geological Survey to develop a map that identifies basins with potential for brackish groundwater desalination. The other article identifies recycled water projects that hold the potential to be operational by 2030 and by no later than 2040. The information was gathered in coordination with WateReuse California and California Association of Sanitation Agencies. 

Registration open for groundwater awareness kickoff webinar

Registration is available for DWR’s online events celebrating Groundwater Awareness Week. The events will run on March 11–15. This year, Groundwater Awareness Week is marking the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The kickoff webinar on March 11 will look at the progress that has been made since the passage of SGMA.

Series of papers on interconnected surface water begins

DWR has started releasing a series of papers on the technical aspects of interconnected surface water (ISW). The first paper, Depletions of Interconnected Surface Water: An Introduction, defines ISW and explains how it is identified. There is also information on the basic concepts of depletion. The next two papers in the series will be released this spring.

Making progress on the McCloud River salmon project

A pilot project designed to help with the reintroduction of juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon is underway in California’s McCloud River. The Chinook salmon are an endangered species that hasn’t been able to access portions of the river since the 1940s when dams were built and blocked all fish migration. The project is in its third year. Videos of year one and year two are available.

California Water Institute begins quarterly newsletter

The California Water Institute (CWI) has released its inaugural newsletter, a quarterly report that will provide updates on CWI’s projects, upcoming events, and other related news. The first issue includes an item on subsurface artificial groundwater recharge. An online subscription form is available on the CWI’s website.

To subscribe to California Water Plan eNews, visit the DWR email subscription page and select the “California Water Plan eNews” option.

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