Publications

440 Resources


An Assessment of Water Supply Alternatives in New Mexico

October 1, 2026


New Mexico faces significant challenges from drought and aridification, aging infrastructure, and the increasingly extreme precipitation, which strain the state’s already overallocated rivers and aquifers. Securing sustainable water supplies over the long term will require strategic investment to extend existing supplies and develop new supply alternatives.

How Much Water Do Data Centers Use? And Why Does It Matter?

September 1, 2026


Growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other cloud-based computing services is driving an unprecedented expansion of data centers across the globe. As data centers have become much larger and more concentrated, concerns about impacts on water and energy systems have intensified. This issue brief summarizes what we know about data center water use and addresses common misunderstandings.

Pacific Institute 2025 Impact Report: Reimagining Water for a Changing World 

July 29, 2026


This year, the Pacific Institute continued to turn research into action. Highlights include a first-of-its-kind study on Municipal and Industrial Water Efficiency Potential in the United States, new national assessments and legal frameworks to strengthen equitable, climate-resilient water and sanitation systems for frontline and rural communities across the country, new tools helping companies measure real progress on water stewardship, and the continued growth of the world's leading database on water-related conflict.

Water for Food and Farms: Trends in California, 1960–2022

July 14, 2026


This issue brief examines water use in California agriculture, changes over time and across crops, and the state’s agricultural economics, using statewide data and publicly available information.

Water for Nature and People: Trends in California, 1960-2022

May 4, 2026


This issue brief examines urban, agricultural, and environmental water use trends in California using the most recent statewide data and publicly available information.

Connecting Climate, Water, Equity, and Public Health in the United States 

March 2, 2026


This issue brief examines the pathways through which climate change affects public health via its impacts on water and sanitation systems in the United States. Climate change is intensifying threats to public health by disrupting water and sanitation systems.

Advancing Corporate Water Stewardship: Insights From the California Experience

February 17, 2026


California is one of the most economically vital, socially vibrant, and ecologically diverse regions in the world, and all this is dependent on water. Yet, the long-term security of its water supplies is at risk.

Biodiversity Benefit Accounting: Guidance for Quantifying and Evaluating the Biodiversity Benefits of Water Stewardship Projects

February 12, 2026


The guidance helps companies move beyond water risk mitigation and integrate biodiversity into corporate water stewardship projects with clarity and credibility. It provides guidance to identify biodiversity objectives; design biodiversity-aligned projects; select meaningful indicators and metrics; and communicate biodiversity benefits transparently.

Actionable Criteria for Achieving Equitable, Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Laws and Policies: Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States Series, Part 4

November 19, 2025


Launched by the Pacific Institute and the Center for Water Security and Cooperation (CWSC), this fourth report in the Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States series offers the most comprehensive framework to date for assessing whether US laws are supporting or hindering our ability to secure safe, reliable water and sanitation in a changing climate.

Untapped Potential: An Assessment of Municipal and Industrial Water Efficiency Potential in the United States   

October 28, 2025


A new first-of-its-kind assessment from the Pacific Institute finds that improving water efficiency in U.S. homes, businesses, institutions, and reducing leakage in water distribution systems, can save 14.0 to 34.1 million acre-feet of water per year (12.5 to 30.4 billion gallons per day).

Pacific Institute 2024 Impact Report: Reimagining Water for a Changing World

September 30, 2025


We are at a critical moment in history, and 2024 again proved that the need for the Pacific Institute’s work has never been greater. During 2024, the Pacific Institute launched a new Strategic Plan outlining objectives across four Impact Areas: Water Efficiency and Reuse, Nature-Based Solutions, Water Equity, and Corporate Water Stewardship. In 2024, our impact was broad, as our work influenced policies, practices, investments, and other decisions across the public and private sectors.

Strategies for Resilient Rural Water and Sanitation in the United States

September 9, 2025


Developed in collaboration with the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), rural communities, and rural technical assistance providers, the report outlines over 130 actionable strategies and approaches for rural communities across the United States to strengthen the climate resilience of water and sanitation systems.

CEO Water Mandate 2024 Impact Report: Accelerating Corporate Water Stewardship and Resilience

August 19, 2025


In 2024, the CEO Water Mandate accelerated global corporate action on water, marking a pivotal year in our journey towards a water-resilient future. We are proud to share that 2024 was a year of exponential growth for the CEO Water Mandate, which nearly doubled in size to include nearly 400 endorsing companies, representing a powerful cross-section of industries, sizes and geographies. This momentum reflects a growing recognition that water is essential to business success and that the private sector has both a unique responsibility and a unique ability to drive scalable, lasting solutions to the global water crisis.

Water Resilience Coalition 2024 Impact Report: From Risk to Opportunity – Driving Business Action for Corporate Water Stewardship

August 19, 2025


The Water Resilience Coalition has released its 2024 Impact Report "From Risk to Opportunity: Driving Business Action for Corporate Water Stewardship" highlighting the strides made towards a water-resilient future. Dive into the WRC’s progress, highlights from collective action in priority basins, and the road ahead.

Breathing Hazard: Air Pollution in the Salton Sea Region

August 14, 2025


This report assesses the complex and growing air quality threats in the Salton Sea region of southeastern California and outlines more effective strategies to protect public health.

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