Sea level rise, driven by climate change, significantly increases flood risk for industrial and contaminated sites across the United States. A new study, published in Nature, reveals thousands of hazardous sites could flood in the coming decades. This threat creates a massive challenge for public health and environmental protection, especially in coastal zones. The…
Two new studies from Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers offer encouraging news about the resilience of California’s beaches. The 2025 San Diego County Beach Report found most regional beaches gained width last year as they entered a post-El Niño recovery phase. Typically, El Niño years bring larger, more powerful waves that rip sand from…
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Tribal Council recently made history with a unanimous vote that granted legal river personhood status to the Colorado River. CRIT is the first community to bestow such recognition on the 1,450-mile waterway. This action represents a dramatic departure from Western water law, which historically treats rivers as property to…
The Value of Water (VOW) Campaign released a new research report, “Tapping Potential,” detailing the necessity of closing the nation’s water infrastructure funding gap. This study states that investing in water is essential for promoting economic growth, supporting job development, strengthening communities, and protecting public health. In fact, maximizing water infrastructure investment stands as one…
Communities and water utilities are grappling with the increasing need for infrastructure to support digital service demands. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has released a white paper, titled Cooling the Cloud, which provides guidance for assessing the new challenges and opportunities arising from data centers. Data centers are high-impact customers for water utilities…
A new map, developed by a collaborative team from the University of Nebraska, depicts the legal water rights systems across the US. This innovative tool shows the variability of surface water and groundwater rights systems, which provide the foundation for water management and policy development. Understanding these boundaries becomes essential when developing and evaluating…
Tidal rivers provide essential water for drinking and irrigation. However, a new international study confirms these vital sources are facing increased vulnerability to saltwater contamination. The research shows that climate-change-induced drought and sea-level rise are intensifying salinity issues. And localized human activities such as channel deepening and excessive road salt use contribute to the problem. …
A University of California San Diego study has uncovers a hidden driver of global crop vulnerability: the origin of rainfall itself. The research traces atmospheric moisture back to its source, whether it evaporated from the ocean or from land surfaces. Understanding this balance provides a new tool to predict rainfall source vulnerability before drought strikes.…
A new study shows that the regulatory costs for lettuce growers in California has surged by over 1,300% in under two decades. This sharp financial increase now consumes 12.6% of total production costs ands adds to mounting pressure on the state’s agriculture. Labor, healthcare, and food safety drive the largest cost increases. Labor-related regulations,…
When buying property in Arizona, access to water can impact decisions, especially in rural areas. Unreliable communication about water security impacts buyer’s confidence. Ensuring licensed agents are equipped to communicate accurately about water resources is critical for clients and communities. This necessity motivated the REAL Water project, a new initiative reimagining Arizona water education. …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The rising development of data centers – being used to power AI tools and cloud services – are increasing energy and water demands across the Western US. If current trends continue, new data centers in states such as Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah could collectively use billions of gallons of water annually.…
A new “Playbook” offers a practical, step-by-step framework for publicly owned water, wastewater, and energy utilities to attract, develop, and retain a new generation of trained workers. Topics covered in the Playbook include recruitment; compliance; environment, health and safety; training and development; and, employee and labor relations. This guide equips HR professionals and leaders…
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced $9 million in grant funding to help protect drinking water systems from cybersecurity threats and natural disasters. Authorized by Congress through the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), this grant program is now open for applications from public water systems serving 10,000 people or more. The EPA has…
PFAS contamination poses a nationwide crisis. A new report confirms these toxic “forever chemicals” now affect 98% of tested US waters. Researchers found elevated levels at 95% of sampled sites downstream from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Similarly, 80% of sites downstream from biosolids land application sites showed increased PFAS levels. The report expanded on previous…