San Diego County water managers are saying the region will have enough water next year. More limited access to the Colorado River and the ongoing impacts of climate change, however, mean water will remain a challenge for the region for years to come. Plus, we take a look into the coming price hikes for water customers in the city of San Diego.
S1: This week on Kpbs roundtable. San Diego water managers are saying we'll have plenty of water next year.
S1: Don't go anywhere. Roundtable is coming up next. Welcome to Kpbs Roundtable. I'm Matt Hoffman. San Diego Water managers say the outlook for the next year looks good and our region should have plenty of water. Now , that might seem like an odd declaration for officials to make , but there's lingering concerns about where we're getting the majority of our water from with potential cuts coming soon.
S2: And one major point two that Erik was alluding to is from the start , when we when we first decided how much. Colorado River water each of the state's tribes and and Mexico would use and we were basing that off of kind of a wrong number. We sort of over predicted how much water was in the river to even share. And so that's we're kind of basing and a lot of these decisions off of sort of bad math that's now drastically changed.
S2: San Diego doesn't have its own massive pipe or connection directly to the Colorado River , although some of its leaders would like that to happen. There has been talk multiple times in the past about San Diego just straight up building its own pipeline to the Colorado River to finally , you know , gain control over its own water resources.
S1: And we know that those projects are expensive and maybe this is getting a little bit in the weeds. Mackenzie But in terms of like why there aren't more desalination plants , you know , we're right there along the coast or sewage recycling efforts or water capture efforts. S1: So we've definitely covered a lot of ground here , guys. What's next here or what are you going to be watching for when it comes to water in our region ? And Mackenzie , we can start with you.
S1: And quickly before we go , Mackenzie , if people are looking to learn more about this issue , you're going to be talking about it this weekend , right ? Yeah. S1: But City of San Diego water customers will soon be paying more for water. Joining us to break down this increase and why it's happening is David Garrick. He covers city hall for the San Diego Union Tribune. And David , welcome back to Roundtable.S1: Me. Okay. So let's start with the numbers here , David. Recently , the San Diego City Council approved this water rate hike.
S1: And David , you reported that in the past , city officials have just passed along the rising cost of importing water to customers. But you also say that this increase is different. I mean , why is this one different ? Is it something that they were saying is like unavoidable or. S1: And earlier , you mentioned how capital projects are One of the reasons that these rates are going up. We know that one big capital project is the city's pure water project that would basically turn sewage into drinking water. And I believe you've said before on this program that it's like the largest city project ever. And the last time we had you on talking about that , you said it was behind schedule and over budget.
S1: And there was one quote from Councilmember Stephen Whitburn , who covers that area. He said , While new apartments are rising across Hillcrest , the dated DMV property is stuck in 1960 when it was built. Well , first , I don't know of any DMVs that look like they're not built in 1960 , but when you see it there , it is kind of like in the middle of everything. And it does look a little like , oh , there's a there's a DMV here also.
S1: I guess you're right. But I think more of , like , an Alex or Ben. No , you're right. You're I mean , I. S1: And I think the story I don't know if it was Jennifer's or somebody else said that it's like not it wasn't like a mandatory part of the plan , those 250 middle income units , because I know that it still says that the project includes 2000 affordable units , which is for families making 80% or less of the area's median income. But we're talking about a smaller number of these middle income units , which I'm sure are just as.
S1: And I have to say , when we were looking at those pictures earlier , you were looking at those pictures and you're like like you're like , what ? That's that.
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