Drought news

[tcaarabians]

Jirka.. Very useful info. thank you.

I'm interested in the "hot water demand" pump. How and where do you hook it up? Approx cost?  A DIY?

My grey water line from the washer was in an external wall until I had that area enclosed. It runs from the washer, inside the wall,  out to the side of the house where there is a slope.. the pipe exit extends out from that slope and then it runs into trees. You do have to check it often to make sure tree roots aren't growing into it. So far, 14 years and counting.. the effluent from the washer with various laundry additives do not harm the trees. Tho, I'm not sure I would want to grow vegetables in that location.  cheryl o7o

[Jirka]

[lagomorphmom]

I like the idea myself, BUT, if you have an on demand water heating system, *some* systems manufacturers may say the warranty is void if you use one to read your warranty before installation.

[Jirka]

[Wrightwood]

[ad astra]

Interesting report, but when I saw the word "explained", I was hoping for someone's explanation for the drought from a climatology perspective.

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

California supplies most of the nation's bottled water, despite extreme droughts

http://abc7.com/weather/most-bottled-water-comes-from-drought-stricken-areas/259804/

[tcaarabians]

I always had water delivered when I lived in L.A.'s westside. Must say, I love the taste of our CSD water here better. I keep it cold in the fridge. It is great.
cheryl o7o

[TimG]

Our hard water is bad for pipes, but great for drinking.  Calcium and magnesium are essential minerals. Hard water has mild but demonstrable benefits in helping prevent heart disease and kidney stones. 

[Wrightwood]

[SkierBob]

[TimG]

From a story that story links to ... this is why we're deluding ourselves if we think climate science has any clue as to what's in store due to carbon emotions:

"Through studies of tree rings, sediment and other natural evidence, researchers have documented multiple droughts in California that lasted 10 or 20 years in a row during the past 1,000 years -- compared to the mere three-year duration of the current dry spell. The two most severe megadroughts make the Dust Bowl of the 1930s look tame: a 240-year-long drought that started in 850 and, 50 years after the conclusion of that one, another that stretched at least 180 years."

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_24993601/california-drought-past-dry-periods-have-lasted-more

[SkierBob]

Here's a story related to drought that has no real solution.

SALTON SEA: Inaction would cost billions, report finds

http://www.pe.com/articles/sea-749343-salton-cost.html

[ad astra]

Here's a story related to drought that has no real solution.

SALTON SEA: Inaction would cost billions, report finds

http://www.pe.com/articles/sea-749343-salton-cost.html

According to desert.com's article on the Salton Sea: "The Salton Sea was formed between 1905 and 1907 when the Colorado River burst through poorly built irrigation controls south of Yuma, Arizona." Ironic that letting a body of water that formed, flooding towns and farms, as a result of man's activities, needs to be maintained by more of man's activities so as not to have a different negative environmental impact.

[ad astra]

...The two most severe megadroughts make the Dust Bowl of the 1930s look tame: a 240-year-long drought that started in 850 and, 50 years after the conclusion of that one, another that stretched at least 180 years."

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_24993601/california-drought-past-dry-periods-have-lasted-more

Interesting reading. I knew that agriculture was by far the largest user of California's water, but I thought agriculture was a far larger percentage of California's economy than 3%! Even so, it's a very important 3%, and one that I will not be happy to see dwindle due to drought, whether due to natural cycling or man-exacerbated climate change. The article was hopeful in that it talked about alternatives to the water we have always counted on just being there, although definitely more expensive: more water storage facilities, wastewater recycling, and desalination. Bottom line: water is a precious resource; conserve.

[tcaarabians]

I thought I'd read - years ago now - that the Salton Sea was partially formed by someone that dreamed of a sea route to the south. Maybe not I guess.  The first tree ring study I was aware of was done by Dr. Leona Libby. She compared tree rings and cycles of drought to wars. Guess what? A direct bingo.  She was Dr. Leona Marshall before her marriage to Willard Libby and the only woman to work on the nuclear bomb during WW2.

Ad astra: I don't know what the percentage of the Ca economy is due to agriculture. I do know our agriculture economy contributes a significant amount of produce to this country and the world.

So, yes. Conserve water. And, I do not know what, if any, impact the new groundwater controls will have on our local water districts. cheryl o7o

[MTHIGHLVR]

Time to put the moratorium back on water meter installations and leave it on there, we have too many people in PH as it is and the water has turned to crap in the last five years because of overdrafting.

[Wrightwood]

Death of Yoda the 650-Year-Old Tree Tells Tale of Southwest Drought

http://tinyurl.com/lvbfca6

[thehallmarks]

Many times we have water events in our homes from unforeseen "equipment" failures.  The following are some of the recommendation I have been made aware of.

Of course, the old saying from Marin county--when they we in their drought years ago still has merit.  "If it's yellow let it mellow; if it's brown flush it down"!

Of course, new "waterless" urinals installed in men's and unisex toilets make sense also.  Just you wait it's time all come...

Hank

Some recommendations to reduce water usage--and claims:

1.  Turn off the water supply to the washing machine after each use
2.  During freezing conditions, allow water faucets to drip and keep cabinet doors open; insulate pipes that are exposed and accessible.
3.  Have heating, ventilation or air conditioning inspected and overflow lines cleaned annually.
4.  Inspect the water heater for signs of leaking or corrosion regularly.
5.  Know how and where to turn off water to the house.
6.  Inspect washing machine hoses, supply lines, ice makers, dishwashers, and other appliances that use water.
7.  Turn off water at the main line when you are going to be away from the house for an extended period of time. [except in freezing conditions!]
8.  Have plumbing supply lines periodically inspected by a qualified plumber.