Via Michael Campana’s personal blog ‘Waterwired’…
I love the quotes Dr. Campana uses at the end of his posts, so I’m hoping he won’t mind if I borrow his.
"Water is personal, water is local, water is regional, water is statewide. Everybody has a different idea, a different approach, a different issue, a different concern. Water is the most personal issue we have." — Susan Marks
Ogden Standard Examiner: Clearfield finalizing agreement for a new waterline – A roughly $154,000 upgrade project is out to bid as agreements are being finalized to allow the city to install a new water line under the railroad tracks at 300 North. Last summer, the city ran a water line on 300 North from Main Street to the east side of the railroad, said Public Works Director Scott Hodge.
MSNBC: Computer chips inspire a tiny water purifier – Water may kill a computer chip, but a new water purifier inspired by computer chip technology could save millions of lives.
Deseret News: Group questions Utah Lake bridge decision process – The possibility of a bridge over Utah Lake troubles Jim Westwater, and not just because of possible environmental consequences.
Wall Street Journal: Strains after Bay Area cities outsource water services – Over the last decade, many Bay Area cities have outsourced management of their water or sewer systems to private companies. In some communities, unanticipated strains of that shift are surfacing.
IPS: Water crisis high on policy agenda, Clinton says – On a rainy morning here Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized the centrality to U.S. foreign policy of addressing the world’s water challenges.
KSL: Study says mercury in Great Salt Lake is global problem – Scientific studies are turning up answers to a baffling mystery about the Great Salt Lake. The new findings help explain why concentrations of toxic mercury in the lake are higher than anywhere else in the country.
Salt Lake Tribune: St. George, Provo-Orem growing fast – When it comes to growth, Utah is still whistlin’ Dixie, Coal Country is still singing the blues and the state, as a whole, is still humming lullabies.
Deseret News: Meetings set to explain groundwater treatment proposal – The first in a series of informational meetings about a proposal to pipe the treated byproducts of a groundwater cleanup project to the Great Salt Lake’s Gilbert Bay is scheduled for Wednesday.
Details about the meetings can be found on the DEQ’s website.
Also, Continue to celebrate World Water Week by increasing awareness! There are some great articles and amazing photography on National Geographic’s website.
A concise info-graphic of water facts: 10 things you should know about water.
My fav: A photo collection of some of California’s water infrastructure that is at risk and downloadable water wallpaper! Ooo!
The official kick-off for World Water Day was actually yesterday, but it’s supposed to last all week. The UN describes the day as, “…celebrated annually on March 22, was established by the United Nations in 1992 and focuses attention on the world’s water crisis, as well as the solutions to address it.” National Geographic is devoting their April 2010 issue to global water challenges and has made it free for download until April 2. If you become a ‘fan’ on facebook of ITT Watermark, they will donate $1 to Mercy Corps, Water for People, and the China Women’s Development Foundation. Water.org has more information about Water Week as well.
The local chapter of Water for People has opened registration for their 6th annual golf tournament and benefit on May 3. Here’s a flyer for the event: 2010 WFP Golf Tournament Invitation. If you register before Apr. 5th they will give you a 10% discount. Don’t miss this chance to see water-buffaloes roaming the links! (Unless you were in St. George last week – then you’ve probably seen enough. :))
Finally, Boston.com has a smaller collection of the photos from the National Geographic issue. They are really impressive.
Now for the news…
Salt Lake Tribune: EPA to issue stricter drinking water standards – The Environmental Protection Agency is tightening drinking water standards to impose stricter limits on four contaminants that can cause cancer.
Provo Daily Herald – Opinion: Land owners backed by legislature – Since the Conatser ruling in 2008, the Utah Legislature has struggled with balancing private property rights and recreation rights.
Deseret News: Two bills on stream access pass committee – Like that pesky carp that keeps returning to your fishing line, the controversial issue of accessing public streams on private property is presenting lawmakers with a boatload of debate.
Salt Lake Tribune: Two bills on stream access pass House panels – Two different Utah House committees passed separate stream access bills Friday. The bills and the debate are the result of a 2008 Utah Supreme Court decision called the Conaster Ruling that gave anglers and river enthusiasts the right to access waterways on private property as long as they stayed in the riverbed and entered the river on public property.
The Spectrum: Local water district bill put on hold – Proposed by Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Dist. 28, Senate Bill 20 focuses on creating a special local district to help develop and execute a groundwater management plan throughout the state.
Courtesy of Jeffrey Gittens at Utah Water Law: Water Rights Deed Addendum Bill – Representative Ben Ferry has introduced House Bill 314 (HB 314) entitled “Water Rights Addendums to Deeds.” The bill would require a water rights addendum (i.e., a “deed rider”) to be included with every deed that conveys land or water rights.
NPR: Warming planet can mean more snow – With snow blanketing much of the country, the topic of global warming has become the butt of jokes. For scientists who study the climate, it’s all a bit much. They’re trying to dig out. Most don’t see a contradiction between a warming world and lots of snow. That includes Kevin Trenberth, a prominent climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado.
eseret News: Great Salt Lake Bird Festival events announced – This year’s festival, held at the Legacy Events Center in Farmington, runs May 14-16 and will feature various birding tours with visitors coming from all over Utah to look for birds around northern Utah.
Salt Lake Tribune: Senate passes bill governing collection of rainwater – The Senate passed legislation Monday that would allow Utahns to legally set out a barrel to collect rainwater for use in their yards or gardens. Current law prohibits the practice, because collecting the water could diminish the amount available to parties who hold rights to groundwater.
KUER: Today at 9 o’clock Diane Rehm will be talking about global water issues related to scarcity and security. Here’s a description of her show. We’ll add a link to the podcast (Windows Media Player) afterward. Have a great morning!
Environment: Global Water Security
Water is quickly replacing oil as our most valuable natural resource. Freshwater scarcity affects public health, national security and the global economy. A panel joins Diane to examine how control and distribution of water will affect future domestic and foreign policies.
GUESTS
Steven Solomon, journalist and author of the recently published “Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization” and “The Confidence Game.”
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