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.
EPA Shares Tools to Strengthen Cyber Security
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a planning toolkit that water utilities can use to prevent and respond to cyber incidents. Cyberattacks are a threat to national security and a water utility’s ability to provide water. These tools offer help to public water systems that need protect themselves and aid in risk…
Toxic Tap Water
Millions of people across the US are being served drinking water polluted by chromium-6, arsenic, and nitrate – contaminants known to cause cancer and other health problems. A new report and interactive map from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveal the contamination hot spots. The report claims that many regulations are outdated and focus…
Global Water Cycle Is Increasingly Erratic
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) shares a warning that the global water cycle has become increasingly erratic, swinging violently between deluge and drought. A new WMO report, called the State of Global Water Resources, highlights the cascading impacts of this instability on economies and communities across the globe. In 2024, only about one-third of…
Water Sale Increases Agricultural Security
Xcel Energy plans to sell water it once held for power production to farmers in the water-strapped Lower Arkansas River Valley. This deal, valued at over $44 million, will help the struggling region access vital water supplies and protect its agricultural economy. Advocates hope this sale will become a model for preserving farm water security…
Rio Grande Water Dispute Settled
Parties involved in the more than decade-long legal dispute over the Rio Grande water compact have filed settlement documents, potentially ending a costly lawsuit mired before the US Supreme Court. This four-part agreement addresses federal, state, and irrigation district concerns, aiming to establish stability in a drought-stricken region. The new settlement follows the Supreme…
New Tech Rapidly Destroys PFAS in Water
Rice University researchers have collaborated with international partners to develop the first eco-friendly technology that can capture and destroy PFAS. This finding marks a major step toward addressing one of the world’s most persistent environmental threats: toxic “forever chemicals.” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used in products from waterproof clothing to…
Ag Water Savings as CO River Solution
According to a recent comprehensive study by UC Riverside and the Utah Rivers Council, the most cost-effective way to conserve the dwindling waters of the Colorado River is by changing how farms use water. Agriculture consumes about 80% of water in the Colorado River basin and this research indicates that agricultural water conservation offers the…
AI Improves Flood Forecasting
A recent study reveals that when a specialized AI is combined with the National Water Model (a dataset produced by NOAA), the hybrid system becomes four to six times more accurate in forecasting streamflow. The tool significantly boosts AI flood prediction accuracy, offering more reliable forecasts of where floods will occur. The AI is…
A Guide for Resilient Rural Communities
The Pacific Institute has a new report offering over 130 strategies to help rural communities build water resilience. Persistent challenges such as aging infrastructure, limited funding, and capacity issues are increasingly common and climate change impacts further intensify these hurdles. This report provides a playbook for rural water resilience, offering tangible solutions to bolster systems…