This section explores the nuances of global water challenges, featuring insights by our researchers, collaborative pieces with our partners, and Q&A styled dialogues with industry experts. It complements our work by providing context, commentary, and a deeper understanding of our research findings.
A Pivotal Moment for Water
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prioritize ambitions on 17 interlinked sustainability issues to reach by 2030. Of these, SDG 6 focused on water is central to achieving the overall 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Climate Crisis is a WASH* Crisis
Climate change is accelerating the water and wastewater access gap faced by millions of people in the United States. While no one region or group of people will be spared from the impacts of the climate crisis, frontline communities—those who experience climate change first and worst—are those most at risk.
How Onsite Water Systems Can Contribute to Regional Water Resilience
Across the United States and the world, communities are facing more severe and frequent extreme weather events. Companies undertaking new development projects are considering ways to make their sites more resilient to disruptions caused by these extreme events.
The Wonder of Wetlands: A Nature-Based Solution for Environmental Challenges
It’s all hands on deck for the Colorado River Basin. Nearing a quarter-century of drought (better described as a continuing shift to an ever-hotter and ever-drier climate), the most famous and important river in the West faces an existential crisis.
Managing the Unmeasured – Colorado River
It’s all hands on deck for the Colorado River Basin. Nearing a quarter-century of drought (better described as a continuing shift to an ever-hotter and ever-drier climate), the most famous and important river in the West faces an existential crisis.
Water Advances on Global Climate Agenda at COP27
Pacific Institute featured at COP for water resilience thought leadership, innovative tools
Advancing Innovative Water Efficiency Solutions at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference 2022
Pacific Institute research and innovative solutions related to water efficiency and conservation were recently featured at the 2022 WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas. From October 4 to 6, technical sessions covered a spectrum of water efficiency and conservation topics, including advancing the adoption of water-efficient products, alternative water supplies, and marketing and outreach.
Saving Water Makes Cents
For the past 30 years, water rates in the United States have risen faster than inflation and all other utility rates, adding to the struggle faced by millions of people across the nation to pay water and sewer bills. Water efficiency investments reduce the need for expensive new water and wastewater infrastructure, saving communities hundreds of millions and in some instances billions of dollars in capital costs and millions more in annual operating costs.
Pacific Institute Launches New Water and Climate Equity Strategy for United States
Throughout the world and in the United States, water insecurity and climate change both disproportionately affect frontline communities—those who are impacted first and worst from climate change. Historically disadvantaged and marginalized communities, including rural communities, low-income communities, and communities of color, often suffer the most from environmental injustices related to climate change and lack of safe and reliable water from household and community water systems.
Ensuring Water Conservation and Efficiency Programs Are Accessible to All—In California and Beyond
Californians and others in the Western United States need to save water. This is true now amidst a historic megadrought, and it will continue to be true when this drought ends. But many water conservation and efficiency programs aren’t accessible to low-income households.