Archive for May 2025

Colorado is investing in turf replacement initiatives to cut outdoor water use. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is championing transformative landscape change to addresses climate and population pressures while seeking broader ecosystem benefits.   The Colorado Water Plan directs CWCB to explore various water-saving strategies, including turf replacement. The primary goal is to decrease…

  The escalating challenge of coastal flooding in low-lying areas like San Francisco Bay demands new solutions. As sea levels rise and storms intensify, traditional levees face growing challenges. A new study, however, points to promising nature-based ‘horizontal levees’.   These hybrid structures, composed of wetland buffers that slope out before conventional levees, can reduce…

New research shows that active forest management (e.g., thinning and prescribed fire) significantly benefits water yield, especially during drought years. University of Nevada scientists found that thinning forests, often done for wildfire reduction, also increases mountain runoff. Thinned forests can provide an 8% to 14% increase in water yield when most needed. This finding offers…

New University of Utah research has shown that the darkening of snow from dust is impacting snowmelt rates across the Colorado Basin, severely affecting the West’s water supply.    Analysis of 23 years of satellite data has shown that dust-darkened snow speeds up runoff. This is the first study to widely map the impact of…

New Michigan State University (MSU) research suggests farmers don’t need to choose between growing crops and installing solar panels; in fact, both can coexist. Leveraging this innovative land use approach can result in greater financial security and save water.   As increasingly extreme weather threatens global food, energy, and water resources, new energy sources are…

 The evolving landscape of PFAS regulations demands close attention. While federal guidelines solidify, individual states are increasingly taking their own measures to regulate PFAS and ensure compliance. Understanding these diverse state actions is crucial for effective water resource management and policy analysis.   Federal efforts, like the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and the TSCA Section…

Subsidence – the gradual caving in or sinking of land – is significantly limiting California’s water delivery capabilities. A recent technical report confirms that this land collapse, primarily driven by groundwater over-pumping impacts, already affects deliveries and could drastically reduce them without immediate, substantial action. This subsidence occurs when excessive groundwater is withdrawn from aquifers,…

A new federal order to increased timber production nation-wide will impact all 18 of California’s national forests. While total areas impacted are unknown, this new initiative raises concerns about forest management impacts and potential risks to water resources. The order aims to increase total US timber output by 25%, citing economic benefits and wildfire risk…

Advancing sustainable groundwater management financing is a critical hurdle in the successful implementation of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). While SGMA provides a flexible framework for local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to manage groundwater resources, the financial aspects of developing and executing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (Plans) require careful attention.   The implementation of these…

The changes to PFAS regulation significantly impacts the water and wastewater industries. Understanding the current status of drinking water MCLs, CERCLA PFAS liability, and wastewater discharge limits is crucial for informed decision-making.   What hasn’t changed: Drinking water MCLs, finalized in April 2024, remain the standard for PFAS regulation. Water systems are in the process…