Clean Water News

Lake Tahoe 65 Year Pact to Improve Clarity

Governor Jerry Brown and the governor of Nevada signed a pact with the federal government near the shore of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday intended to increase the clarity of the lake by half a foot per year for the next 65 years. See the August 17th NY Times article to learn more.

Delta Science Center Taking Shape at Big Break Regional Shoreline

A long-planned Delta science and natural education center is taking shape along the shoreline here to show and tell the public about the maze of rivers and islands in the heart of California's water delivery system. To learn more see the June CC Times article.

Recycled Water is an Idea Whose Time Has Come

Bay Area water recycling efforts that will create jobs and expand water supplies got a boost this week after the federal Bureau of Reclamation announced more than $2 million in grants for these innovative projects. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), a leading champion in Congress for water recycling praised the decision, saying the grants will help local economies. See the August 4th Waste Management World Article for details how this will impact your area.

Most Bay Area Beaches Rated High for Water Quality

The Bay Area is a good place for beachgoers to surf, swim and frolic in the waves, unless you're trying to do it on San Francisco's Baker Beach and a few other places where plumes of bacteria regularly flow into the ocean, according to a statewide beach report card released Wednesday. To learn more, read the May 26th SF Chronicle article.

Cigarette Butt Poison is Killing Fish, Say Researchers

Discarded cigarette butts are wiping out fish by leaking poisonous chemicals into their stomachs, according to scientists from San Diego State University. To read more see this brief article.

Make Sure and Recycle Your Curly-cue (CFL) Bulbs to Prevent Mecury Pollution

Early reports indicate folks are replacing incandescent lightbulbs at an accelerated rate with the CFL bulbs. The problem is these more efficient, longer lasting bulbs contain mercury and studies show only 2% of residential consumers are recycling them, sending tons of mercury into the environment. See the April 4th CCTimes article for more. These bulbs can be recycled (as can other hazardous waste) at a nearby sanitary district location. To find yours visit this website.

"A Creek Without a Voice" Video

We hope you will enjoy this 2 minute video provided by the City of Martinez. It illustrates the affect of your daily activities on the waterways around you. It takes a full minute or more (depending on your internet connection) to download, but it's worth the wait.

Gray Water Systems Growing in Popularity, Ingenuity and Ease of Installation

Until recently, gray (recycled) water had the patina of being on the fringe or new age. And it seemed, therefore, dismissible. But that image is changing. As the need to conserve water drives innovation and demand, gray water is finding a place in landscapes and gardens across California. For more information read the February 7th CC Times article.

Report Calls for Restoration of Oyster Beds, Other Bay Underwater Habitats

A new blueprint for the hidden world beneath San Francisco Bay's shimmering waters calls for thousands of acres of oyster beds and eelgrass, beach replenishment projects and research.

The report, a four-year study by state and federal agencies, is a follow-up to an influential 1999 blueprint that paved the way for a major acceleration of wetlands restoration around the bay, now the largest wetlands restoration program on the West Coast. To learn more read the January 27th CC Times article.

The Delta Smelt-a Small Fish Caught in a Big Fuss

The delta smelt is arguably the most powerful player in California water. Its movements rule the pumping operations of the state's biggest water projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Efforts to stave off its demise have at times reduced water deliveries to 25 million people and 2 million acres of farmland, magnifying the impact of the recent drought and forcing farmers to fallow fields. See the Feb 2nd LA Times article to learn more.

Cities Key Source of Toxics in Bay, Study Finds

Many people still believe business is still responsible for most water pollution. Read this October 5th SF Chronicle article to find out who and what is polluting our Bay.