The News Review:

- Water bond measure for $5.4 billion to go on November ballot
- Planned wells fuel water concerns
- Japan gives Rwanda aid for water, transport
- Utility Hosts Tour, Meeting To Ease Concerns About Water Supply

Water bond measure for $5.4 billion to go on November ballot
San Diego Union Tribune – Jun 14, 2006
Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature. The measure sets aside funding for local projects, including San Diego Bay, state parks and water supplies out of the Colorado River. “Clean water, parks and natural areas are critical to our quality of life, but funding to protect these precious resources hasn't kept pace with California's rapid growth,” said Mark Burget, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in California. “Without raising taxes, this initiative will provide the funding California needs to keep our drinking water safe and protect our rivers, lakes, forests and other wildlife habitat before it is too late,” he said. The outcome is far from assured. Voters in the low-key, low-turnout June primary rejected a library bond, signaling they may not be in the mood to accept more debt. At the same time, they will be asked to approve $37 billion for roads, schools, housing and levees…
The San Diego County Water Authority board has not taken a position on the measure, although the bond does set aside $127 million for regional projects, including $91 million to help implement the Colorado River sharing deal that will eventually bring more supplies to the region. The initiative also includes $27 million specifically for San Diego Bay protection. Other major funding categories include: $1. 28 billion for water supply and water quality programs, $928 million for river and lake protection, $800 million for flood protection, $540 million for clean beaches and bays, $450 million for wildlife and forest conservation, and $400 million for parks.

Planned wells fuel water concerns
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (subscription… – Jun 14, 2006
It also will connect to the city’s water system at I-94 and Highway 83 through a water main. New water would be blended with existing city water to reduce the concentration of potentially cancer-causing radium, which occurs naturally. Well approved twiceAs for Lake Beulah, an administrative law judge in Madison has upheld the 2003 decision of the state Department of Natural Resources to allow East Troy to drill its new well. That decision was later upheld by a Walworth County circuit judge. Based on the court ruling, the DNR late last month issued East Troy a drilling permit. Two lake owners’ groups continue to fight the well through the state appeals court. A decision is expected within the next few months, said Paul Kent, a Madison lawyer who represents East Troy.

Japan gives Rwanda aid for water, transport
Independent Online – Jun 14, 2006
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and his Rwandan counterpart Charles Murigande exchanged notes on the aid during a meeting in Tokyo. Rwanda would spend 551-million to build or repair water supply systems in the eastern part of the country, with the rest devoted to expanding its bus network, the Japanese foreign ministry said. Only 52 percent of Rwanda had reliable access to clean water but aimed to increase it to 80 percent by 2010 and 100 percent by 2020, the ministry said. Japan has increasingly focused aid on Africa amid its campaign to win a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, a goal strongly opposed by China.

Utility Hosts Tour, Meeting To Ease Concerns About Water Supply
WISC – Jun 14, 2006
The advisory dealt with those serviced by two wells and recommended that infants on ready-to-mix formula and those with liver problems not drink tap water. Officials said that ingestion of high levels of manganese, a naturally occurring metal, over a period of time can cause neurological problems. Manganese is an element found in many foods and it occurs naturally in most tap water, WISC-TV reported. Madison water taps average about 28 parts per billion, but two recent water samples out of 300 that were taken showed that levels were exceeding what the U.