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Why New California Drought Regulations Have Caused an Uproar
Dozens of local water agencies are opposing state regulations to ban wasteful water practices, partly due to issues relating to the water board’s authority.
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Water Resources
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California’s New Water Boss: States Must Set Own Course on Resources
Eileen Sobeck was recently hired as executive director of California’s powerful State Water Resources Control Board after decades in federal service. Politics in Washington, she says, make this an important time for states to lead on water and climate issues.
- Environment & Wildlife
- Management & Supply
- Op-Eds
A Water Right for the Environment in California
Brian Gray
Senior Fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Leon Szeptycki
Director, Water in the West
Barton “Buzz” Thompson
Robert E. Paradise Professor in Natural Resources Law, Stanford Law School
Brian Gray Senior Fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Leon Szeptycki Director, Water in the West
Barton “Buzz” Thompson Robert E. Paradise Professor in Natural Resources Law, Stanford Law School
Assigning Ecosystem Water Budgets for California’s major watersheds would provide a defined amount of water that could be flexibly allocated and could ease conflict, say authors of a new report from Public Policy Institute of California.
- American West
- Environment & Wildlife
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- Management & Supply
- Op-Eds
Governor’s Water Proposals Don’t Protect Arizona’s Rivers and Streams
Tricia Gerrodette
Member of the Sustainable Water Workgroup
Sandy Bahr
Member of the Sustainable Water Workgroup
Gary Beverly
Member of the Sustainable Water Workgroup
Tricia Gerrodette Member of the Sustainable Water Workgroup
Sandy Bahr Member of the Sustainable Water Workgroup
Gary Beverly Member of the Sustainable Water Workgroup
As Arizona works toward new water laws, more should be done to bring transparency to the policy process and prioritize environmental flows, say members of the Sustainable Water Workgroup.
- Climate & Weather
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Santa Monica Prepares to Eliminate Water Imports, Drought-Proof Supply
The Southern California city is building a number of big projects with the goal of becoming completely self-sufficient in water by 2020, according to Dean Kubani, its chief sustainability officer.
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Plan to Save Delta Smelt Faces Tough Road
California agencies released a three-year plan to bring delta smelt back from the brink of extinction, but some of the goals and the overall feasibility of the plan have been questioned.
- Management & Supply
- Op-Eds
The Unforgiving New Landscape for Water Utilities
Max Gomberg
Water Conservation and Climate Change Manager, State Water Resources Control Board
Max Gomberg Water Conservation and Climate Change Manager, State Water Resources Control Board
Officials and regulators need to work together to help water managers face new challenges, says Max Gomberg, water conservation and climate change manager at the State Water Resources Control Board.
- Innovation
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California Eyes Recycling Wastewater for Drinking
The state is currently investigating whether it is feasible to develop standards for direct potable reuse, which would allow treated wastewater to be sent direct to customers for drinking without first being stored in a reservoir or aquifer.
- Management & Supply
- Op-Eds
Mark Cowin: Planning for California’s Water Future
Mark W. Cowin
Director, California Department of Water Resources
Mark W. Cowin Director, California Department of Water Resources
California’s highly engineered water system struggles to serve its 39 million people and the environment. But there a numerous things we can do to better plan for the future, writes Mark Cowin, director of the Department of Water Resources.
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Concern Raised Over Water Agencies’ Stress Tests
A new water conservation process adopted by the state allows local agencies to avoid strict water conservation mandates. Analysts worry these ‘stress tests’ may cause problems if the drought worsens.
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Water for Pot No Longer Unregulated
The water consumed by California marijuana growers will now be regulated by state officials under a new program that could be up and running within a year. The goal is to protect wildlife and habitats.
- Law & Policy
- Experts to Watch
Nine Experts To Watch on California Water Policy
California faces a host of water issues, which is why good policy leaders are important. In the first installment of our “Experts to Watch” series, here are nine people who are contributing to policy solutions in the state.
- American West
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What Lake Mead’s Record Low Means for California
After 16 years of drought in the Colorado River Basin, Lake Mead has hit its lowest point ever. Here’s a look at what impact this will have on the 19 million Californians who depend on the water supply.
- Innovation
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New Regs Aim to Make Water Recycling Easier
California officials this month adopted streamlined permitting for nonpotable water recycling projects. By the end of this year, they’re expected to do the same for potable water recycling. Jennifer West of WaterReuse California explains what’s ahead.
- Climate & Weather
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Surprising Way Climate Change Is Impacting Water
Hydroclimatologist Bruce Daniels has analyzed 85 years of rainfall data collected all over California. He talks to Water Deeply about what he’s found and what it means for the state’s groundwater.
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Phil Isenberg: What’s Next for the Delta?
Six years ago the Delta Stewardship Council kicked off, headed by Phil Isenberg, an attorney and former state assembly member. Isenberg talks to Water Deeply about the council’s Delta Plan, its legal challenges and the near future.
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Water Conservation Saves Energy in California
It takes energy to get clean drinking water to our homes. So when California embraced new conservation mandates last year, it meant savings of not just water but also energy. And researchers from U.C. Davis found out just how much energy.
- Law & Policy
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California Tribes Push Back on Water Issues
California Tribal Policy Advisor Anecita Agustinez explains how Native American communities are impacted by some of the state’s most pressing water issues.
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A Chief Source of Water for California Dries Up
Lake Mead, which stores Colorado River water used by California and other states, hit a record low last month. Here’s what this means for people who depend on the reservoir.
- Environment & Wildlife
- Innovation
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Why Desalination Isn’t the Solution to Water Woes
Stanford University recently hosted a diverse roundtable discussion to explore whether seawater desalination can resolve California’s water problems. Leon Szeptycki, one of the organizers, helps us understand why the potential is limited.
- Economics
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Nestle Plans for Healthy Forest and Water Bottling
Nelson Switzer
Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Nestle Waters North America
Nelson Switzer Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Nestle Waters North America
Nelson Switzer, chief sustainability officer of Nestle Waters North America, explains the company’s operations that draw water for bottling from the San Bernardino National Forest.
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California Lifts Statewide Conservation Rules
SACRAMENTO BEE: The State Water Resources Control Board dropped tough statewide water conservation requirements for a new policy that lets water suppliers develop their own standards.
- Innovation
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Can California Make Saving Water a Way of Life?
Kirsten James
Oversees the California Policy Program, Ceres
Kirsten James Oversees the California Policy Program, Ceres
California may be in danger of losing the gains it has worked hard to achieve in the last year in water conservation. A wet winter doesn’t mean California is in the clear.
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California Changes Course in Fighting Drought
A new Executive Order by Gov. Jerry Brown and a draft plan by the State Water Resources Control Board staff puts in motion big changes to California’s emergency conservation mandate.
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Will California Ditch Water Conservation Mandate?
California’s emergency water conservation mandate was extended until October, but the Water Board is contemplating changing it after pressure from water suppliers that would like to see regulations eased or eliminated.