Welcome to the Water Report Blog
While The Water Report publication provides in-depth analysis, we also offer curated summaries of the hot topics, emerging trends, and opportunities you need to know about empowering you to tackle today's complex water issues with the most up-to-date information.
Corporate Funding and the Colorado River Basin: A Balanced Perspective
The Colorado River Basin, a vital water resource for millions of people, is facing increasing pressure due to climate change and growing water demands. Corporate funding has emerged as a significant force in supporting restoration efforts within this critical watershed. One notable example is the Colorado River Connectivity Channel project, which was officially completed…
Uniting for Water Resilience: A Landmark Agreement for California’s Floodplains
Federal and state agencies in California have signed an agreement to enhance collaboration on landscape-scale floodplain water projects in the Sacramento River Basin. This agreement aims to increase funding opportunities for large-scale projects and improve the efficiency of planning, designing, implementing, monitoring, and sharing information about projects located on floodplains. These projects will enhance flood…
US and Mexico Sign Agreement to Improve Rio Grande Water Deliveries
On Nov. 9, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) signed a new agreement aimed at ensuring more regular water deliveries between Mexico and the United States. Minute 331, titled “Measures to Improve the Reliability and Predictability of Rio Grande Water Deliveries to Benefit the United States and Mexico,” provides Mexico with tools and flexibility…
A New Approach to Flood Insurance
California is taking a pioneering step in addressing flood risks by launching a community-based flood insurance initiative in the city of Isleton. This innovative approach, funded by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), aims to provide financial resilience to residents in vulnerable areas. Traditionally, flood insurance has been offered through the National Flood…
Expanding Public Access to PFAS Information
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently proposed to add 16 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 15 PFAS categories representing more than 100 individual PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The proposal aims to address the concerns surrounding the health and environmental impacts of these persistent contaminants. This update will require…
Understanding Sea Level Rise – New Webtool
The US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has launched a comprehensive online resource dedicated to sea level rise: SeaLevel.GlobalChange.gov. This website, developed by the US Interagency Task Force on Sea Level Change, offers the public a one-stop shop for information on this critical issue. The new website offers the latest scientific research on sea…
Rule for Lead and Copper Regulations Finalized
The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), housed under the Safe Drinking Water Act regulatory framework, are now in effect. The final rule mandates that drinking water systems across the country identify and replace lead pipes within a decade. It will also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities…
Technical Assistance Funding Available
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently announced a grant program offering up to $49 million to support small drinking water and wastewater systems, many of which serve rural communities. This funding will be used to provide technical assistance and training aimed at improving water quality and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Numerous…
A Historic Milestone: Klamath River Dams Removed
The Klamath River has reached a significant milestone with the complete removal of four lower hydroelectric dams. This achievement marks the culmination of decades of advocacy to restore the river’s health. The dams, which obstructed fish passage and water quality for over a century, have been removed. This opens up over 400 miles of…