In arid Western states, the climate is growing warmer and drier, leading to increased demand for water resources from humans and ecosystems. Now, the atmosphere across much of the U.S. is also demanding a greater share of water than it used to, according to a new study by a team from DRI, University of California, Merced, and […]
Aging and undersized sewers, contaminated drinking water, and lead-tainted pipes imperil millions of households and communities nationally. At the same time, more severe flooding and drought conditions have exacerbated the nation’s water infrastructure deficit. Decades of inaction and underinvestment—particularly at a federal level—have multiplied these and other water infrastructure challenges, but the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and […]
California is in its third year of extreme drought. Given that, is it time to rethink California’s role as the breadbasket of the country? Agriculture brought in $49.1 billion to the state, nearly half of which was money made from exporting crops. But agriculture also uses 80% of the state’s water. Last year the industry […]
With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order calling on local water systems to start conserving more water, we find ourselves in an all-too familiar cycle. When signs of drought abound, we hope for miraculous storms to parch the land’s thirst. Hope starts to fade, and our agencies pivot into crisis mode, cutting water use in ways that […]
Federal officials slated millions of dollars for rural water projects in several states, with the Biden administration looking to shore up infrastructure needs made more urgent by long-term drought conditions that have been exacerbated by climate change. The U.S. Interior Department announced Thursday that $420 million will be spent on projects in New Mexico, Minnesota, […]
Total water usage in California cities and towns decreased by just half a percent in February compared to the same month in 2020, a far cry from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of reducing urban water use by 15%. Figures released this week by the State Water Resources Control Board showed that even during a third […]
New Study Shows Robust Increases in Atmospheric Thirst Across Much of U.S. During Past 40 Years
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /DRIIn arid Western states, the climate is growing warmer and drier, leading to increased demand for water resources from humans and ecosystems. Now, the atmosphere across much of the U.S. is also demanding a greater share of water than it used to, according to a new study by a team from DRI, University of California, Merced, and […]
Seizing the Water Infrastructure Moment Nationally and Locally
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Brookingsby Joseph W. Kane and Andy KricunAging and undersized sewers, contaminated drinking water, and lead-tainted pipes imperil millions of households and communities nationally. At the same time, more severe flooding and drought conditions have exacerbated the nation’s water infrastructure deficit. Decades of inaction and underinvestment—particularly at a federal level—have multiplied these and other water infrastructure challenges, but the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and […]
Can California’s Agriculture Survive Extreme Drought? Should It?
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KQED`by Alexis MadrigalCalifornia is in its third year of extreme drought. Given that, is it time to rethink California’s role as the breadbasket of the country? Agriculture brought in $49.1 billion to the state, nearly half of which was money made from exporting crops. But agriculture also uses 80% of the state’s water. Last year the industry […]
Opinion: California Needs to Update Water Conservation Standards
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /East Bay Timesby Bob Hertzberg and Tracy QuinnWith Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order calling on local water systems to start conserving more water, we find ourselves in an all-too familiar cycle. When signs of drought abound, we hope for miraculous storms to parch the land’s thirst. Hope starts to fade, and our agencies pivot into crisis mode, cutting water use in ways that […]
US Taps $420 Million to Boost Water Supplies Hit by Climate Change
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Susan Montoya BryanFederal officials slated millions of dollars for rural water projects in several states, with the Biden administration looking to shore up infrastructure needs made more urgent by long-term drought conditions that have been exacerbated by climate change. The U.S. Interior Department announced Thursday that $420 million will be spent on projects in New Mexico, Minnesota, […]
Newsom Urged Californians to Cut Water Use by 15%. In February They Saved Less Than 1%
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Ian Jamesby Los Angeles TimesTotal water usage in California cities and towns decreased by just half a percent in February compared to the same month in 2020, a far cry from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of reducing urban water use by 15%. Figures released this week by the State Water Resources Control Board showed that even during a third […]