Blue Gold: World Water Wars Assignment #1

Assignment #1

1. What fresh water sources are around you (home, school, work)?

The fresh water sources around me are Chollas Creek and Paleta Creek, which are part of the Pueblo watershed but since it is the smallest one it doesn't have its own reservoir. So probably some of my fresh water also comes from El Capitan Reservoir, which is part of the San Diego River watershed.

2. What watershed are you in?

I am in the Pueblo Watershed. This watershed covers Lemon Grove, La Mesa, National City, downtown San Diego and Point Loma. So it covers where I live and where I go to school. The Pueblo San Diego watershed is the smallest in San Diego County. The population of the Pueblo San Diego watershed is approximately 500,000 residents, making it the county’s most densely populated watershed.  Approximately 75% of the watershed is developed. The major water bodies of the Pueblo Watershed are Chollas Creek, Paleta Creek, and San Diego Bay.

Source: http://www.projectcleanwater.org/html/ws_pueblo.html

3. Where does your tap water come from?

According to the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2011, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. The City of San Diego imports approximately 85% to 90% of its water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) via the San Diego County Water Authority. Our water supply is a blend from the Colorado River, State Water Project (Northern California), and local sources. "About 10 to 15% of the City's drinking water supply is made up of runoff from local rainfall that is captured in our reservoirs." The City treats the water at three treatment plants: Alvarado, Miramar and Otay. "In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Department regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same protection for public health." In 2011, our tap water met all state and federal drinking water health standards.

Source: http://www.sandiego.gov/water/quality/pdf/waterqual11.pdf

4. Where does your waste water (sewage) go?

Most of San Diego's waste water goes to the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant. "Opened in 1963, the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (PLWTP) treats approximately 175 million gallons of wastewater per day generated in a 450 square mile area by more than 2.2 million residents."

Source: http://www.sandiego.gov/mwwd/facilities/ptloma.shtml