Small Water Storage Program Grant

An aerial view of a small surface water reservoir or retention pond, illustrating the type of water storage capacity targeted by the federal program.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has launched the Small Storage Program grant, promoting federal assistance to enhance water storage opportunities across the Western United States and its territories. Authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this initiative aims to secure water resources for future generations. This program represents a critical tool for developing…

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Nevada Groundwater Decline

A desert spring or small oasis, illustrating a groundwater-dependent ecosystem (GDE) threatened by Nevada Groundwater Decline.

A new study reveals that Nevada groundwater is declining as a result of intensifying drought and rising demand. This decline is jeopardizing groundwater-dependent ecosystems and long-term reliability in the state. Roughly half of Nevada’s counties rely on groundwater for over 80% of their water supply and about 20% of Nevada’s groundwater basins currently suffer from…

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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…

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Toxic Tap Water

Clear, runny water flowing from a tap, subtly suggesting the presence of unseen contaminants in 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   The report claims that many regulations are outdated and focus…

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Global Water Cycle Is Increasingly Erratic

Severely cracked, dry earth in a riverbed, symbolizing the drought conditions caused by the erratic global water cycle.

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…

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Water Sale Increases Agricultural Security

An aerial view of lush, irrigated farm fields contrasting with dry surrounding terrain in the Lower Arkansas River Valley.

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…

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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…

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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…

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Ag Water Savings as CO River Solution

A drip irrigation system running through a farm field, representing effective agricultural water conservation techniques.

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…

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AI Improves Flood Forecasting

A graphic or close-up illustrating a high-efficiency, closed-loop cooling system, representing the core water conservation technology used by the data center.

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…

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