| September 2021 | Volume 11 | Issue 8 |
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| An Ounce of Preparation Wise For Stormwater Monitoring Season In Spite of Likely La Nina Winter
BY ALLISON MACKENZIE, Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs |
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Autumn is here and California’s rainy season, which typically lasts from November to April, is right around the corner, but this year’s stormwater season may not see many storms. The latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests California could be heading into a La Nina winter for the second year in a row. Despite the lack of rain clouds brewing in the near future, now is a good time to start dusting off your stormwater pollution prevention plans.
The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is an important factor in global climate patterns and rainfall. Scientists categorize ENSO as a single ocean-atmospheric phenomenon with three phases: El Nino, La Nina, and neutral. During a La Nina, sea surface temperatures (SST) in the equatorial Pacific drop below normal thresholds and trigger a global cooling effect that often influences local rainfall patterns. The opposite, a rise in ocean temperatures, occurs during an El Nino. In the US, La Nina events tend to push storms further north into Washington and Oregon, leaving much of California with below-average rainfall.
This year’s back-to-back La Nina conditions is fairly common; out of the last 12 first-year La Nina events with 8 of them followed by a second La Nina. According to NOAA , this pattern can be attributed to...
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| It’s Not Over When the Fire Goes Out |
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As 2021 enters peak fire season, firefighters across the state are battling over a dozen blazes. This year, record breaking temperatures paired with unusually dry conditions have set California up for a devastating fire season that could surpass last year’s already unprecedented wildfires.
So far, Cal Fire reports roughly 2 million acres burned and over 3,000 homes, businesses, and other structures damaged or destroyed in the 2021 fire season. The Dixie fire, which has burned for two months and scorched over 900,000 acres of Northern California, is now the second largest fire in state history--right behind the August Complex of 2020.
Even as heroic firefighters work to contain the blazes, state officials warn that ongoing drought conditions could extend this year’s fire season. California entered 2021 bone-dry after an exceptionally mild winter and overall the entire state is experiencing moderate drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor. 45% of California is experiencing D4 or “exceptional” drought conditions, the most severe... read
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| “Quality Through Collaboration”: ELAP Hosts Inaugural Conference |
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| In June, water industry professionals across California sat down at their computers and turned on their video cameras to participate in ELAP’s inaugural conference. The event was held virtually from June 1st to June 3rd and featured expert presentations on the latest in environmental testing and analysis. Attendees also gained valuable insight into important developments in the industry, including ELAP’s changing accreditation regulations.
This year’s conference is a part of ELAP’s larger efforts to modernize their program requirements and transition laboratories into the new accreditation process. The Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program or ELAP, has been around since 1989, when it was founded as part of the California Environmental Laboratory Improvement Act. ELAP’s mission is to... read more
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Babcock Laboratories' El Centro New Microbiology Lab! (read more)
State Accredited Bacteriological Testing with a Reputable Lab in El Centro! (read more)
Jeff Kightlinger Reflects of California's Future Water Challenges (read more)
Congress and States Take Action Against PFAS (read more)
Are the Tides Turning for the Dying Salton Sea? (read more)
CARB and a Green, Energized Future for Riverside (read more)
Local Water Quality: Regional Boards Have a Plan For That! (read more)
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Babcock Labs will be closed Thursday, November 25th, and Friday, November 26th, in observance of Thanksgiving Day (Contact Project Manager)
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The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announces an extension of the public comment period for the proposed Public Health Goals (PHGs) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water. The public comment period is now extended to October 28, 2021.
The Revised Total Coliform Rule has been approved and goes into effect July 1, 2021. (learn more)
Babcock Labs is CA ELAP accredited to perform all 18 analytes for EPA Method 537.1 and all 38 analytes under the DoD QSM 5.3. Also offered at Babcock Labs is EPA Method 533 for short-chain PFAs analytes. ( learn more)
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| Scott Dallas
Business Development Associate
951-653-3351 x 162
Cathy Iijima
Client Relations Manager
951-653-3351 x 135
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| Please note that Babcock Labs strictly adheres to sample acceptance criteria, pursuant to Standard Methods, EPA Methods, and regulatory requirements.
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| Do you know someone who would be interested in a STEM career at an Employee-Owned Top Workplace in the IE?
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| *Look for us! Babcock Labs is attending this event.
**Babcock Labs is attending and sponsoring/speaking at this event.
***Welcome! Babcock Labs is hosting this event. |
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