water in space!

Interesting blog item from the Discovery network here. Scientists in Utah have developed a way to test for chemicals in water; it is being tried by the astronauts in the space station. This technology might also eventually help in ensuring safe water in poor countries. A good example of space exploration inspiring inventions that eventually, er, trickle down to help problems on Earth.

Posideon desalinization a go?

news reports indicate that the desalinization plant planned for Carlsbad, California, is on the homestretch getting approval from the California Coastal Commission. Reading between the lines of news reports, apparently there were rumblings from CCC staff that with budget cuts and furloughs, they wouldn't be able to get paperwork done in time before existing permits expired and Poseidon would have to start over with the regulators (there were also rumblings that CCC staffers wouldn't be heartbroken if this happened). But after legislation was introduced extending the time Poseidon had to get everything wrapped up, CCC said it could finish the paperwork on time, don't worry about it.....

http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/article-display/8923725763/s-articles/s-waterworld/s-drinking-water/s-treatment/s-desalination/s-2009/s-09/s-deadline-avoided_.html

water is the new oil?

California policy wonk/blogger Brian Leubitz is following the California water debate, along with 423 other state issues, over at Calitics..... this post includes a picture of the sinking San Joachim Valley -- as we pump water out of it, the land goes down and down, while this entry includes a radio interview with an AP reporter on California water policy

The Delta Debate

okay then....I guess if I want to be a blogger I'll need to post something....

one of the water issues that I want to follow is over what to do about the California Delta, which provides much of my own water here in San Diego. The link takes you to an excellent primer on the topic by reporter Mike Taugher. Three tidbits:

The delta is the largest estuary in on the western coasts of North and South America

It seems like a cool place to visit.

It is "broken, both as a water delivery system and as an ecosystem."

the beginning

Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink ;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.

from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner


Living by an ocean during a drought brings this point to home.

Anyways, this blog is an experimental look at water, water issues, water conservation, water policies, and my ongoing attempts to create a lawn while being a good water citizen.

or something like that. We'll see what happens.