Partnerships between water utilities, irrigation districts and other stakeholders in California will play a critical role in funding new infrastructure under the Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative announced in 2020 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, but a new study warns that benefits might not be evenly distributed without proper structure to the agreements. California’s initiative is a […]
California’s wet season wrapped up as a big disappointment, setting the stage for a third year of drought. Most of the state — about 96% — was categorized as having severe drought conditions as March came to a close, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The continuing drought suggests more water restrictions are forthcoming as supplies […]
Federal and state water agencies have issued an urgency change to conserve more water in Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake. District 1 Rep. Doug LaMalfa announced Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources have issued a temporary urgency change petition. It will be in effect now through June 30. The […]
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 […]
Study Examines Financial Risks of Water Resilience Planning in California
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /phys.orgPartnerships between water utilities, irrigation districts and other stakeholders in California will play a critical role in funding new infrastructure under the Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative announced in 2020 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, but a new study warns that benefits might not be evenly distributed without proper structure to the agreements. California’s initiative is a […]
California Drought: Disappointing Rain and Snow Mean Tighter Water Rules Ahead
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage, Uncategorized /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Yoohyun Jung and Kurtis AlexanderCalifornia’s wet season wrapped up as a big disappointment, setting the stage for a third year of drought. Most of the state — about 96% — was categorized as having severe drought conditions as March came to a close, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The continuing drought suggests more water restrictions are forthcoming as supplies […]
‘Urgency Change’ Will Allow More Water to Be Stored in Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage, Uncategorized /by Mike Lee /Action News Nowby Kelli SaamFederal and state water agencies have issued an urgency change to conserve more water in Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake. District 1 Rep. Doug LaMalfa announced Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources have issued a temporary urgency change petition. It will be in effect now through June 30. The […]
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 […]