News & Updates

Public water systems in California are taking legal action against manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in what could be a landmark case for the water industry. Orange County Water District and over a dozen other California water utilities filed a lawsuit in in early April against seven manufacturers of PFAS, including Dynax America…

PFAS contamination is a growing concern for agricultural operations, potentially impacting land use and posing risks to human health. Biosolids, a wastewater treatment product used as fertilizer, may be a source of PFAS contamination.   Texas farmers from Johnson County are suing Synagro Technologies, Inc., a biosolids provider, for allegedly contaminating their land with PFAS…

Tyco Fire Products LP agreed to pay $750 million to settle lawsuits from water suppliers across the US.   The settlement aims to resolve claims that Tyco’s firefighting foam, specifically aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), contaminated drinking water with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The agreement, if approved by the court, would also release claims against…

The Department of the Interior announced on Apr. 2, that up to $320 million is available under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda through the Bureau of Reclamation to assist federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations as they plan and construct domestic water infrastructure.   This funding opportunity is open to Tribes in the 17…

Great news for those working on climate resilience and ecosystem restoration in drought-stricken communities.  The Department of the Interior has announced a significant funding opportunity through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Up to $95 million is available for projects that bolster water resources, advance ecosystem health, and support community resilience against drought and other…

A nationwide settlement between 3M and public water suppliers (PWS) regarding PFAS (“forever chemicals”) contamination has been finalized by a US District Court.   This settlement offers financial assistance to PWS facing PFAS contamination in their water systems.  The agreement covers past, present, and future PFAS detection, providing a broader scope of support.  Payments are…

PRESS RELEASE: Draft management plan open for 90-days of public comment. The Bureau of Land Management and US Department of Agriculture Forest Service are seeking public input on a draft plan to guide management of the Bears Ears National Monument, incorporating considerable input from the Bears Ears Commission, the State of Utah, other cooperating agencies,…

Researchers at Oregon State University have made a significant advancement in removing glyphosate, a common herbicide, from groundwater.     Key takeaways: A new metal-organic framework (MOF) called Sc-TBAPy has been shown to completely remove and break down glyphosate in water when exposed to light. This MOF offers advantages over other methods by acting more quickly…

Communities across the country are facing a growing wave of water challenges.  Increased flooding, worsening droughts, water scarcity, and pollution are straining traditional water supplies.  New approaches are needed to build resilience and ensure a sustainable water future for our cities.   Stormwater capture has emerged as a promising tool in this fight.  It offers…

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed adding the Upper Columbia River Site in northeastern Washington to the National Priorities List (NPL).  This designation would make the site eligible for cleanup financed under the federal Superfund Program.   Why is the EPA proposing this?   The EPA has determined that soils contaminated with lead…

Jacobs – an engineering and consulting firm – has joined forces with The Water Research Foundation to spearhead an essential development: a comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework and best practices guide tailored for water utilities within the United States.   Why a Dedicated ESG Framework for Water Utilities?   Water utilities shoulder a…

Beavers may hold unexpected value as natural firefighters.  A recent Geological Society of America study demonstrates the impressive wildfire protection provided by beaver-dammed waterways.   Researchers discovered that nearly 90% of beaver-dammed riverscapes qualify as fire refugia – offering protection for plants and animals during a wildfire – compared to only 60% of riverscapes without…

The Colorado River Water Conservation District’s (District) recent acquisition of the senior water rights associated with the Shoshone hydropower plant has raised concerns within Pitkin County.  While widely considered a positive step for the Western Slope, officials are examining potential repercussions for the upper Roaring Fork River. At the heart of the concern lies the…

On February 28th, 2024, Colorado state legislators issued a joint resolution expressing support for ongoing efforts to restore the clarity of Grand Lake. This marks a significant step forward for a project with a long history and potentially far-reaching implications for water management in the state. Grand Lake, Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake, was…

In 2023, there were significant strides made in dam removal marking a watershed moment in river restoration efforts nationwide. While the spotlight often shines on monumental projects like the Klamath River dam removal in California, it’s crucial to recognize the collective impact of the 79 other dam removals across the country that have reconnected 1,160…

Scientists have discovered a potentially groundbreaking method for destroying PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in water. This news offers significant hope in the fight against these persistent environmental contaminants. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used in various products, from non-stick cookware to clothing and firefighting foam. These chemicals don’t easily break down…

The Klamath Basin stakeholders, including farmers, tribes, and the Department of Interior, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on improving the ecosystem and water security in the region. This agreement marks a significant shift from past years of disputes, with all parties committing to work together. The MOU outlines several key points:…

The USDA is offering a variety of funding opportunities for sustainable agriculture projects. This blog post provides an overview of these grant programs, including deadlines, eligibility requirements, and program highlights. Funding is available across various focus areas, including research and education, local food systems, and climate-smart practices are all supported. Watch out for quickly upcoming…

The USGS has launched the Colorado River Basin Science Portal, a one-stop shop for critical scientific data and collaboration. Here’s why this portal is a game-changer: Centralized Hub: Access a wide range of USGS scientific data on the Colorado River system in a convenient, user-friendly format. Enhanced Collaboration: The portal fosters discussion, data integration, and…

The Biden administration announced a significant milestone on Mar. 5th, 2024 to protect the Colorado River System. The goal is both immediate relief and long-term solutions. Short-Term Gains: Record-breaking conservation efforts, driven by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, have reduced the risk of critically low water levels in Lakes Mead and Powell. A final…

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) recently released a comprehensive report titled “Mainstream Evaporation and Riparian Evapotranspiration,” shedding light on historical natural losses along the lower Colorado River. This study delves into water surface evaporation, soil moisture evaporation, and plant transpiration, providing crucial data for managing regional water operations and enhancing modeling efforts. The report highlights…

The dusty Salton Sea witnessed a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan 25. 2024 marking the start of a potentially game-changing lithium extraction project known as Hell’s Kitchen 1. This $1.85 billion venture by Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) promises to be the world’s first “fully integrated” lithium and renewable power production facility, extracting lithium from underground brine…

A new initiative called the “Climate Solutions and Clean Energy Innovation Hub” has launched, bringing $15 million in initial funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This hub, led by a partnership between the two states, aims to help startups develop and scale up their climate solutions. Funding opportunities: The hub will provide grants to…

California’s iconic salmon populations are in steep decline, facing threats from dams, water diversions, and climate change. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled a comprehensive plan outlining strategies to protect and restore these vital fish.  Key components of the plan: Dam Removal and Improved Passages: The plan prioritizes removing barriers to fish migration, including…