Wholly H2o - California's Integrated Water Reuse Management Center

The Post Carbon Institute announces the release of two new reports, made available to public, press and elected representatives as free downloads.

“Water: Adapting to a New Normal” by PCI/Nat’l Geo Fellow Sandra Postel

Focuses on current and looming freshwater supply problems and solutions. Specifically, Postel looks at how these shortages will affect growth in the United States.
http://www.postcarbon.org/report/109751-water-adapting-to-a-new-normal

“The Death of Sprawl: Designing Urban Resilience for the 21st Century Resource & Climate Crises” by PCI Fellow Warren Karlenzig

Analyzes the high, true cost of urban and exurban sprawl in the United States and proposes mulitple appropriate responses.

http://www.postcarbon.org/report/109840-cities-the-death-of-sprawl

First of Thirty-Four Reports
The reports are the first of 35 reports to be released and collected as the forthcoming (September 2010) Watershed Media/UC Press release, The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century’s Sustainability Crises. With critically insightful reports by 28 of PCI’s Fellows, including David Orr, Bill McKibben, Wes Jackson, Richard Heinberg and Erika Allen, The Post Carbon Reader represents a significant addition to the existing literature on crafting a sustainable future.

About Sandra Postel
Sandra Postel is a leading authority and prolific author on international water issues; she directs the independent Global Water Policy Project and in March 2010 she was named the National Geographic Society's first Freshwater Fellow.

In 1992 Postel authored Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity, which now appears in eight languages and was the basis for a PBS documentary that aired in 1997. She is also author of Pillar of Sand: Can the Irrigation Miracle Last? (1999) and co-author of Rivers for Life: Managing Water for People and Nature (2003). Sandra has authored well over 100 articles for popular, scholarly, and news publications, including Science, Scientific American, Foreign Policy, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

Sandra Postel discussing America’s #1 Water Problem: http://bit.ly/bFoEDR

About Warren Karlenzig
Warren Karlenzig, President of Common Current, has developed sustainability strategy and metrics on a global basis with nations, the State of California, major cities, corporations, foundations and international non-governmental organizations. Clients have included the United Nations; US Department of State; the White House Office of Science and Technology; US EPA Futures Group; the Asian Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability; and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. He is recognized as one of the world's top experts on urban sustainability strategy and metrics, and is the author of How Green is Your City? The SustainLane US City Rankings (New Society, 2007). Warren is on the board of directors for the Climate Change Center and the Korea Green Foundation.

Warren Karlenzig on the U.S. Economic Crisis: http://bit.ly/dh0Ow9

The Institute will be releasing 33 additional reports in the coming weeks. For interviews of any of the PCI Fellows, please contact Tod Brilliant This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wholly H2o believes in coming at the issue of wise water use from as many sides as usefully possible.  One invaluable side is that of art.  You'll notice that we have an art gallery on the bottom right side of our main landing page.  When the Wholly H2o Center opens in San Francisco, we'll host monthly art shows in the space, in addition to water resue products, demonstration systems, books, and an educational forum space. 

In the meantime, here is a simple but direct image that asks us to consider how we use water. (Click the link to see the image of the art peice.)

http://thereifixedit.com/2010/06/18/white-trash-repairs-key-to-our-water-source/

Position:                                   Senior Flood & Drought Policy Analyst

Duty Location:                          Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

U.S. based non-governmental organization, is working in Afghanistan providing assistance to various national government ministries, including the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) under the auspices of the USAID-funded Human Resources and Logistics (HRLS) program. Within the scope of the HRLS Task Order,  provides assistance to the Technical Secretariat of the Afghanistan Supreme Council for Water Affairs Management (SCWAM) as well as the Ministry of Energy & Water in the development of policies and strategies to support the planning, development and management of the water resources of Afghanistan. The MEW is responsible for managing, maintaining, and building water-related infrastructure projects.

The successful candidate provides research, analysis and develops Afghanistan flood and drought policies for a coalition of Afghanistan water resources development and management agencies under the umbrella of the Technical Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Water Affairs Management of Afghanistan (TS – SCWAM).

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Afghanistan flood & drought policies including analysis of regulatory, financial, and institutional issues;
• Work closely with the SCWAM TS technical working groups to ensure timely completion of the Flood & Drought policies within established timeframes and budget guidelines based on a participatory process and a stakeholder-driven approach;
• Coordinates efforts of the water-related line ministries, consultants and other partners including the donor community in the successful completion of flood and drought policies; and

• Produces internal and external project-related communications. Prepare information and educational materials for use in print and on the web. Prepare flood and drought policy documents, including written reports and make presentations for technical and general audiences.
  1. Principles and practices of water resources policies and strategies applicable to planning, and development of flood and drought policies and guidelines;
  2. Principles, theories and practices of climatology, hydrology and other natural sciences applicable to development of flood & drought policies and guidelines of Afghanistan;
  3. Advances and trends in development of flood & drought policies and guidelines applicable to Afghanistan.
  1. Gather, analyze and interpret technical data pertaining to water resources and environmental issues; conduct studies, reviews and evaluations to form accurate conclusions and projections; use of computers and computer software including word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
  2. Understand and evaluate watershed management methods; understand and interpret pertinent policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including a variety of governmental and non-governmental organizations and officials, donor community, and the general public; operate effectively in a team environment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
  3. Evaluate, interpret and integrate findings, models and statistical data from multiple, complex research studies and investigations and draw sound conclusions regarding their short- and long-term implications for the water industry in general and Afghanistan in particular;
  4. Evaluate mitigation and adaptation strategies and evaluate their promise for utilization in Afghanistan;
  5. Present technical, scientific research findings and data clearly, concisely and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences;
  6. Interpret laws and regulations and identify their impacts on Afghanistan Water Sector Strategy;
  7. Plan and organize projects in collaboration with others;
  8. Develop and maintain highly effective working relationships with the SCWAM TS, executives and managers, officials of other public and private agencies, scientists and representatives of Afghanistan water sector industry.
  1. Advanced degree (M.S., a PhD is preferred) in water resources and environmental science or a closely related field with emphasis of watershed management, hydrology, climate change, and data management;
  2. Minimum of 20 years of responsible experience as it applies to water resources planning and management; or an equivalent combination of training and experience;
  3. A Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or an equivalent is an advantage.
Minimum Requirements

1. Advanced degree (M.S., a PhD is preferred) in water resources and environmental science or a closely related field with emphasis of watershed management, hydrology, climate change, and data management;
2. Minimum of 20 years of responsible experience as it applies to water resources planning and management; or an equivalent combination of training and experience;
3. A Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or an equivalent is an advantage.

Take care of water. See the world!

Position: International Water Rights Advisor

Duty Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

U.S. based non-governmental organization, is working in Afghanistan providing assistance to various national government ministries under the auspices of the USAID-funded Human Resources and Logistics (HRLS) program. Within the scope of the HRLS Task Order, contractor provides assistance to Ministry of Energy & Water (MEW) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in the development of policies and strategies to support the planning, development and management of water resources of Afghanistan. The successful candidate will be working closely with the Director General of Economic Affairs of the MoFA from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and will provide expert advice on international water rights. The International Water Rights Advisor will work with other IRD Advisors and GIRoA agencies under the umbrella of the Technical Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Water Affairs Management (SCWAM).

The International Water Rights Advisor will carry out the following tasks:

Tasks:

1. Provide advisory services to the National Environmental Protection Agency with respect to their role in trans-boundary water management.
2. Establish a training program for the GIRoA on trans-boundary issues and mentor and train key MoFA, MEW, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, and NEPA staff including diplomats on international water rights issues and negotiating techniques.
3. Work closely with the International Water Rights Advisor at the Ministry of Energy Water to develop a common understanding of the international water rights needs and priorities of the MoFA and the MEW.

Qualifications:

1. Thorough knowledge of international law paradigms on trans-boundary waters.
2. Minimum of 15 years of experience with trans-boundary water cases.
3. Experience participating in and consulting on trans-boundary negotiations.
4. Excellent coaching and mentoring skills.
5. Ability to work in difficult environments.
6. Knowledge of Afghanistan trans-boundary water history and associated legal issues is highly desired.
7. Good managerial and training skills, including experience in staff supervision in complex (e.g., post-conflict) environment.
8. Computer skills including MS Office and internet applications.
9. Advanced degree(s): Juris Decorate (JD) in law and/or Master of Law (LLM) with specialization in international water law.

Duration:

A one-year contract, based in Kabul, with the option to extend.

Living in Southern California is a tough business when it comes to appropriate water use. It necessitates a lot of changing habits, which is always harder than it seems. The City of Thousand Oaks is being pushed into better living through water conservation and efficiency.

Thousand Oaks Faces $4-million Fine if Water Use Exceeds Expectations

This might be a good week not to wash your car at home or do anything else that uses water unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Now that LEED, and other Green Building codes, such as the CA Green Building Standards Code, that will become required in January 2011, are becoming standard goals for many California builders and developers, we'd like to push the codes to award more points for water efficincy and particularly water reuse systems, which should be standard features of CA building projects.Increasing the amount of data available is key to developing more appropriate standards for incorporating integraqted water management into building codes. Another reason to participate in LEED's request for building performarnce data.

Wanted: LEED Building Performance Data
USGBC's Building Performance Partnership (BPP) engages commercial and residential LEED building owners and managers in an effort to optimize the performance of buildings through data collection, analysis and action.

Think Blue: The City of San Diego's approach to storm water education.

While the rains have passed, I notice that there is still water pouring down storm drains from sprinklers set to overwater. In fact, I just saw the sprinklers on a large public strip outside my office in West Oakland come on mid-day, and then overwater so that water ran helter skelter down Mandela Parkway to the storm drain, a terrible misuse of water, recycled water in this case. The City of San Diego is taking a forwward approach to providing information to the public on how to reduce storm water runoff and the pollutants that water contains. Here's a great short video on dog waste and water management.

http://granicus.sandiego.gov/ASX.php?publish_id=535&sn=granicus.sandiego.gov 

Get in the know about Surface Water in California! The State Water Resources Control Board – Announces release of the web version of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program’s (SWAMP) Achievements Report for 2009!

SWAMP released a condensed version of our 2009 Achievements report several months ago (attached). The web version provides more detail and is full of links to SWAMP’s ongoing activities and resources including: statewide monitoring programs; regional monitoring programs, SWAMP methods, quality assurance, and data management tools – and more.

The "blue" job market is starting to ramp up, I notice.  Here's another opportunity for an individual experienced water policy.

Water Policy Expert - 6 month contract

Allen & York are urgently looking to recruit an international water management expert for a joint World Bank-UAE Government sponsored project.

This is a 6 month contract with the aim of developing an Integrated Water Resource Management Plan by working with a set of stakeholders integrating existing water initiatives into one holistic action plan. The plan needs to include a policy framework, quantification methodologies, supply optimization recommendations, demand management, efficiency improvements and institutional capacity building recommendations.

The opportunities for keeping sewage out of the oceans are everywhere (where there are humans). The Zandaam cruise ship, that takes passengers on a breath-taking tour of Alaska, is pushing into new (waste) waters!

A below-decks tour of the recycling operations of a high-end cruise ship

posted by InvestigateWest at Wednesday, June 16, 2010

By Katie Farden

InvestigateWest

While the 1,432 passengers aboard Holland America's Zaandam, are enjoying a five-course meal at one of the ship's plush dining venues or unwinding with a hot-stone massage in the vessels' full-service spa, crew are bustling below, sorting out tons of waste and recyclables.