A top federal water official told Congress on Tuesday that shortages on the Colorado River system have taken an even grimmer turn, with a whopping 2 million to 4 million acre feet of reduction in water use needed by 2023 just to keep Lake Mead functioning and physically capable of delivering drinking water, irrigation and power to millions of people. Bureau […]
State lawmakers are proposing to set aside $2 billion to buy up water rights and repurpose farmland to rebalance the water supply amidst the state’s second drought in the last decade. Most of the money being proposed in the 2022-23 budget, $1.5 billion, will be used to buy land with senior water rights to secure […]
Water has been flowing down the San Joaquin River since the beginning of April. But, ironically, late spring rains could halt the flow. The water coming out of Millerton Lake just above Fresno is flowing because of a contract within California’s complicated water rights system.
Rising temperatures and stagnant water generally signal trouble for human life, but they make for a great environment for the bright, blue-green scum often found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs that flourishes and blooms in hot weather. These scum blooms, known as harmful algal blooms, are natural parts of the ecosystem, but can also release toxins that sicken […]
The Environmental Protection Agency warned Wednesday that a group of human-made chemicals found in the drinking water, cosmetics and food packaging used by millions of Americans poses a greater danger to human health than regulators previously thought. The new health advisories for a ubiquitous class of compounds known as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, […]
As California increasingly slips into extreme drought and calls intensify to reduce water use, the state’s water savings in 2022 remain bleak. The average Californian used 83 gallons of water per day in April, compared with 73 in April 2020. That’s far from the 15 percent decrease that Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for as our reservoirs and the […]
Feds Float Drastic Measures to Stanch California’s Water Crisis
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Palm Springs Desert Sunby Janet WilsonA top federal water official told Congress on Tuesday that shortages on the Colorado River system have taken an even grimmer turn, with a whopping 2 million to 4 million acre feet of reduction in water use needed by 2023 just to keep Lake Mead functioning and physically capable of delivering drinking water, irrigation and power to millions of people. Bureau […]
State Budget Proposes to Buy Water Rights From Farmers
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Sun Gazetteby Reggie EllisState lawmakers are proposing to set aside $2 billion to buy up water rights and repurpose farmland to rebalance the water supply amidst the state’s second drought in the last decade. Most of the money being proposed in the 2022-23 budget, $1.5 billion, will be used to buy land with senior water rights to secure […]
How Does More Rain in Northern California Equal Less Flows in the San Joaquin River?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /SJV Waterby Jesse VadWater has been flowing down the San Joaquin River since the beginning of April. But, ironically, late spring rains could halt the flow. The water coming out of Millerton Lake just above Fresno is flowing because of a contract within California’s complicated water rights system.
Why Toxic Algae Blooms Are on the Rise Across California — and Expected to Get Worse
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Yoohyun JungRising temperatures and stagnant water generally signal trouble for human life, but they make for a great environment for the bright, blue-green scum often found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs that flourishes and blooms in hot weather. These scum blooms, known as harmful algal blooms, are natural parts of the ecosystem, but can also release toxins that sicken […]
EPA Warns Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ More Dangerous Than Once Thought
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Washington Postby Dino GrandoniThe Environmental Protection Agency warned Wednesday that a group of human-made chemicals found in the drinking water, cosmetics and food packaging used by millions of Americans poses a greater danger to human health than regulators previously thought. The new health advisories for a ubiquitous class of compounds known as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, […]
Why Water Use Varies So Widely Across California
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Soumya KarlamanglaAs California increasingly slips into extreme drought and calls intensify to reduce water use, the state’s water savings in 2022 remain bleak. The average Californian used 83 gallons of water per day in April, compared with 73 in April 2020. That’s far from the 15 percent decrease that Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for as our reservoirs and the […]