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.
Dust Impacts on Colorado River Basin Snowpack
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…
Impacts of Solar Installation on Ag Fields
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…
State PFAS Regulations and Water Management
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…
California Water Subsidence Impacts Water Deliveries
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 This subsidence occurs when excessive groundwater is withdrawn from aquifers,…
Federal Timber Order Targets Forests
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…
Funding SGMA in California
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…
Navigating Evolving PFAS Regulation
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…
Flooding Long-Term Health Impacts
A comprehensive global study on flooding has revealed the significant (and long-term) health impacts. It shows a 26 percent higher risk of hospitalization for various diseases up to seven months after a flood. This research, which analyzed over 300 million records across eight countries, underscored the widespread consequences of these increasingly common events linked to…
Water Recycling in the Colorado River Basin
There are 7 states in the Colorado River Basin (Basin), all which employ various levels of water reuse. For example, Arizona has a robust water recycling program. Research indicates that Arizona recycles over half of its treated wastewater, placing it at the forefront of water recycling efforts within the Basin, second only to Nevada. …