Padma Nagappan is a San Diego-based health and environment reporter who writes frequently about California’s drought and water issues, and explores the ramifications of a prolonged drought from different angles. Find her on Twitter: @savvywordsmith and on muckrack.com/savvywordsmith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/contributor/padma-nagappan/rss en Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 06 Apr 2017 07:06:56 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/04/06/the-battle-to-save-public-drinking-fountains-from-extinction https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/04/06/the-battle-to-save-public-drinking-fountains-from-extinction Concerns about water quality and contamination have led to the decline of public water-fountain use and the rise of bottled alternatives. A few actions could help boost public confidence in drinking fountains. Energy Innovation Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 03 Mar 2017 05:00:45 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/03/03/how-desalination-plants-are-trying-to-overcome-environmental-concerns https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/03/03/how-desalination-plants-are-trying-to-overcome-environmental-concerns Stakeholders are exploring different options to reduce the much-debated environmental impacts of desalination to make it a more attractive option for drought-hit regions. Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:09:02 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/01/05/southern-california-eyes-desalinated-water-from-mexico https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/01/05/southern-california-eyes-desalinated-water-from-mexico In an effort to diversify supply, a proposed desalination plant in Mexico could soon send potable water to some areas in San Diego County, but there are environmental concerns. Management & Supply Tue, 08 Nov 2016 05:05:35 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/11/08/how-water-use-has-declined-with-population-growth https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/11/08/how-water-use-has-declined-with-population-growth Water use has not gone up as population increased in the last few years, contrary to popular opinion and expectations. How does this impact how urban water managers are planning? American West Economics Environment & Wildlife Wed, 31 Aug 2016 07:52:46 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/08/31/california-is-running-out-of-time-to-save-the-salton-sea https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/08/31/california-is-running-out-of-time-to-save-the-salton-sea An agreement by California to draw less water from the Colorado River to help boost water levels at Lake Mead could accelerate the shrinkage of the already precarious Salton Sea, endangering air quality and wildlife habitat. Economics Innovation Management & Supply Wed, 10 Aug 2016 08:35:37 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/08/10/creative-incentives-to-boost-groundwater-recharge https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/08/10/creative-incentives-to-boost-groundwater-recharge An innovative program in the Pajaro Valley offers landowners incentives to collect stormwater run-off to recharge groundwater. The program could be the forerunner of potential ways to successfully replenish groundwater levels across California. Management & Supply Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:05:32 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/06/27/new-groundwater-found-deep-under-central-valley https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/06/27/new-groundwater-found-deep-under-central-valley Previous estimates of groundwater in California’s drought-stricken Central Valley only looked at depths of up to 1,000ft (300m), but a new study says there’s three times as much freshwater at 1,000–3,000ft (300–900m) below ground. Climate & Weather Mon, 13 Jun 2016 07:29:49 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/06/13/what-climate-change-means-for-san-diegos-water https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/06/13/what-climate-change-means-for-san-diegos-water Climate change will lead to hotter, drier weather in San Diego, but also more frequent floods caused by larger storms. Water supply will be diminished but demand is expected to increase. Agriculture Innovation Mon, 06 Jun 2016 08:31:47 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/06/06/the-drought-solution-thats-under-our-feet https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/06/06/the-drought-solution-thats-under-our-feet When California searches for relief from the drought, and explores different solutions, from conserving water to desalination, one avenue that often gets overlooked is what’s under our feet – soil. Agriculture Innovation Fri, 13 May 2016 13:07:56 +0000 Padma Nagappan https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/05/13/california-farmers-innovate-to-fight-drought https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2016/05/13/california-farmers-innovate-to-fight-drought In the arid Golden State, growers and agricultural researchers have been developing techniques to conserve precious water and use it more efficiently. Here are some things they’ve learned.