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…
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…
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…
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…
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. …
The Texas Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 7, prioritizing Texas water supply development through funding for desalination, Texas-produced water treatment, and reservoir projects. The Bill aims to address the state’s growing water needs amidst population growth and drought concerns. The bill focuses on diversifying Texas water supply development by investing in new sources of…
A new report highlights a critical role for state and local leaders in addressing the growing financial and infrastructure challenges facing US water and wastewater utilities. With an estimated $110 billion funding gap in 2024, set to balloon to $194 billion by 2030, the sector is struggling to keep pace with aging infrastructure, rising operational…
California is making significant strides in its efforts to revitalize struggling salmon populations, according to a new progress report. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), in collaboration with other state agencies, has released an update on its “California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future,” revealing that a substantial majority of planned actions…
The United States has denied a request for a special water delivery from the Colorado River to Tijuana. This decision, announced by the State Department on Mar. 20, 2025, is a first and highlights the growing strain on the Treaty of 1944 which governs water sharing between the two nations. The Treaty of 1944 outlines…
The quest for innovative water conservation solutions has led Colorado to explore the potential of reducing reservoir evaporation through the implementation of floating solar technology. This approach aims to mitigate significant water losses from reservoirs and canals, particularly crucial in the drought-stricken Colorado River Basin. A recent feasibility study conducted by the Colorado Water…
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is developing a pivotal Agricultural Climate Resilience strategy, aiming to safeguard the state’s diverse agricultural sector against escalating climate challenges. The CDFA’s strategy marks a significant step in shaping California ag policy to address climate impacts. The goal is to create a unified framework that guides…
A recent study by the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) has shed light on the critical issue of transboundary aquifer vulnerability along the US-Mexico border. This research pinpoints areas facing significant pressure due to overutilization and provides essential data for water management. The study focuses on identifying areas within 73 transboundary hydrogeological units that are…
The increasing frequency of wildfires in arid regions has brought to the forefront the critical issue of wildfire impacts on water. A new interdisciplinary study provides a crucial framework for understanding how these fires affect water quality and ecosystem recovery in arid watersheds. Key findings from the study showed that precipitation patterns play a…
The dynamics of coastal subsidence are playing a crucial role in reshaping sea level rise projections along the California coastline. A recent NASA-led study has unveiled the significant impacts of localized land motion, highlighting the necessity for a refined approach to coastal water management. Traditional sea level rise projections, often based solely on ocean…
The regulatory landscape of the US is facing a significant transformation, impacting how projects, particularly within the water industry, are permitted and executed. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), in particular, is currently undergoing dramatic alterations. Recent executive actions (Executive Order 14154) have initiated a substantial NEPA reform. The revocation of a 1977 executive…
A new study reveals significant impacts from insecticide use US butterfly populations, signaling broader risks to ecosystem health. The research highlights a 22% drop in butterfly abundance between 2000 and 2020. This decline raises critical questions about the health of our ecosystems and the role of chemical use. The study utilized data from 35 monitoring…
Arizona has made a significant stride in addressing its water challenges with the approval of new Advanced Water Purification (AWP) rules. The approval by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) enables Arizona cities and water providers to implement Advanced Water Purification projects. By facilitating water reuse, Arizona is taking a proactive approach to ensure a…
The recent US Supreme Court decision in City and County of San Francisco v. EPA marks a transformative moment for Clean Water Act Permits. Issued on March 4, 2025, the ruling addresses the controversial “end-result” provisions in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. This decision redefines the responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)…
Dwindling reservoirs, prolonged droughts, and increasing demand create a concerning outlook for US water resources. However, a promising area of materials science research may offer a new approach to sourcing this essential resource: pulling water directly from the atmosphere through atmospheric water harvesting (AWH). Researchers have developed highly porous materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)…
We often picture beaches changing with the seasons: harsh winter storms eroding sand, leaving beaches narrow, while gentler summer waves replenish the sand, widening them again. This “winter-narrow/summer recovery” model is so ingrained it’s even in textbooks. But new research is challenging this long-held view, particularly for beaches in Southern California. This research focuses on…
Addressing the impacts of stormwater pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial processes is an ongoing challenge. This pollution fuels detrimental effects such as algae blooms and the depletion of vital minerals like phosphate, copper, and zinc. Current solutions for pollutant removal often prove costly and offer limited reusability, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and…
A recent study by researchers at the University at Buffalo has identified a bacterial strain capable of breaking down certain “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS). PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals known for their persistence in the environment due to the strong carbon-fluorine bond. These chemicals are widely used in…
Cloud seeding, a weather modification technique that has been in use for over eight decades, is gaining renewed attention as a possible method for increasing precipitation to address rising water demand and intensifying drought conditions across the United States. By introducing tiny particles, typically silver iodide, into clouds, this technique aims to encourage rain or…
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has released the National Water Availability Assessment, a groundbreaking study offering an overview of the balance between water supply and demand across the lower 48 states. The report highlights that nearly 30 million people reside in areas where surface water supplies are insufficient for their needs, revealing significant water limitations…
A recent study has provided groundbreaking insights into the movement of groundwater, revealing that underground water can travel vast distances and remain hidden for much longer periods than previously understood. Researchers from Princeton University and the University of Arizona have conducted a high-resolution simulation that traces the journey of rainwater or snowmelt as it seeps…