Even in late May, when T-shirts take over and thermostats hit a balmy 70 degrees, patches of snow cling to the top of Mount Spokane. Snow persists on many Pacific Northwest mountains well into summer. It acts as a natural reservoir, melting as the weather warms and watering the thirsty low country when rains are […]
In some of the world’s driest places, atmospheric moisture is a major source of water for native ecosystems. Some algae, plants and insects in the Israeli and Namibian deserts get much of their water from fog, dew and humidity. The spines of some cacti species have evolved to collect fog droplets. California’s redwood forests derive a significant amount of their moisture from fog.
Tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains, the average home here goes for around $1.8 million, the gardens are bursting with pansies fit for rainy England, and hefty fines have done little to restrain many homeowners from squandering water in a time of drought. This week came a measure of last resort. The local water agency […]
If there is any source of water that ought to be optimized, it is the wastewater produced by California’s urban centers. Perennially issuing from sewage treatment plants throughout the state, every year this torrent of mostly treated effluent is equivalent in volume to the San Joaquin River in a wet year. The California Department of Water Resources estimates […]
Water restrictions began Wednesday for 6 million residents in Southern California, as the state enters its third year of severe drought and what water officials say is the state’s driest year on record. Residents and businesses must limit their outdoor watering to one or two days per week or to a set volume of water, the […]
Managers of California’s most overdrawn aquifers were given a monumental task under the state’s landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: Craft viable, detailed plans on a 20-year timeline to bring their beleaguered basins into balance. It was a task that required more than 250 newly formed local groundwater agencies – many of them in the drought-stressed […]
What’s in Store for Eastern WA as Water Becomes More Scarce Throughout the West?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Seattle Timesby Colin TiernanEven in late May, when T-shirts take over and thermostats hit a balmy 70 degrees, patches of snow cling to the top of Mount Spokane. Snow persists on many Pacific Northwest mountains well into summer. It acts as a natural reservoir, melting as the weather warms and watering the thirsty low country when rains are […]
Demystifying Mist as a Source of Water Supply
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /California Water Blogby Jay LundIn some of the world’s driest places, atmospheric moisture is a major source of water for native ecosystems. Some algae, plants and insects in the Israeli and Namibian deserts get much of their water from fog, dew and humidity. The spines of some cacti species have evolved to collect fog droplets. California’s redwood forests derive a significant amount of their moisture from fog.
California’s Water Wasters
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Somini SenguptaTucked into the Santa Monica Mountains, the average home here goes for around $1.8 million, the gardens are bursting with pansies fit for rainy England, and hefty fines have done little to restrain many homeowners from squandering water in a time of drought. This week came a measure of last resort. The local water agency […]
Opinion: The Abundance Choice, Part 10: Time to Stop Wasting Wastewater
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /California Globeby Edward RingIf there is any source of water that ought to be optimized, it is the wastewater produced by California’s urban centers. Perennially issuing from sewage treatment plants throughout the state, every year this torrent of mostly treated effluent is equivalent in volume to the San Joaquin River in a wet year. The California Department of Water Resources estimates […]
California Cracks Down on Water Use as It Sees Its Most Severe Drought Ever
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /NPRby Ayana ArchieWater restrictions began Wednesday for 6 million residents in Southern California, as the state enters its third year of severe drought and what water officials say is the state’s driest year on record. Residents and businesses must limit their outdoor watering to one or two days per week or to a set volume of water, the […]
As New Deadline Looms, Groundwater Managers Rework ‘Incomplete’ Plans to Meet California’s Sustainability Goals
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Western Water / Water Education Foundation by Nick CahillManagers of California’s most overdrawn aquifers were given a monumental task under the state’s landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: Craft viable, detailed plans on a 20-year timeline to bring their beleaguered basins into balance. It was a task that required more than 250 newly formed local groundwater agencies – many of them in the drought-stressed […]