423 Resources

Climate Change and Rural Water for Frontline Communities in the Southwest United States
March 26, 2024 | publication
This issue brief provides an overview of the escalating threat climate change poses to rural water for frontline communities in the Southwest United States. This region, defined by the US National Climate Assessment’s 6-state area (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah), is facing increasing water challenges due to prolonged droughts, extreme temperatures, groundwater depletion, wildfire, flooding, and reduced mountain snowpack.

Water Resilience Assessment Framework: Guidance for Water Utilities
March 22, 2024 | publication
The "Water Resilience Assessment Framework: Guidance for Water Utilities" is the second in the series and empowers utilities to embark on a journey of resilience-building, enabling them to not only survive but thrive in the face of climate stressors and other uncertainties.

Untapped Potential: An Assessment of Urban Stormwater Runoff Potential in the United States
February 29, 2024 | publication
Urban communities across the United States face a range of water challenges. These include intensifying impacts of flooding and drought, water scarcity risks, constraints on traditional water supplies facing peak water limits, and water pollution. Novel approaches are needed to address these challenges and improve long-term water resilience.

Climate Change Impacts to Water and Sanitation for Frontline Communities in the United States: Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States, Part 1
January 30, 2024 | publication
The Pacific Institute and DigDeep in collaboration with the Center for Water Security and Cooperation, presents the first report in a series titled “Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States.”

Addressing Impediments and Incentives for Agricultural Reuse
December 13, 2023 | publication
Water systems across the United States are facing unprecedented levels of stress arising from challenges, such as a changing climate, aging infrastructure, and shifting patterns of water supply and demand. Agricultural water reuse has the potential to increase the resilience of water and agricultural systems through benefits. such as supply diversification, access to an additional water supply, nutrient management, and compliance with water quality permits. However, realization of these benefits and scaling reuse are hindered by broad ranging, but surmountable barriers and tradeoffs.

Climate Change and Flooding in Central Appalachia
November 30, 2023 | publication
Communities in rural Appalachia face multiple water challenges that climate change is already impacting. These include extreme flooding events, lack of household water access, poor water quality, and lack of wastewater services.

Pathways and Barriers to Corporate Water Stewardship in the Colorado River Basin
October 24, 2023 | publication
Spanning across seven US states and two Mexican states, the Colorado River – often referred to as the lifeblood of the American West – nourishes ecosystems, communities, farms, cities, and 30 Native American tribes. Yet, a 23-year drought, over-allocation of water, and climate change contribute to a structural deficit, threatening the tribes, ecosystems, and communities within its basin.

Pacific Institute 2022 Impact Report
September 11, 2023 | publication
Reflecting on our 35th year, the Pacific Institute continued its dedication to addressing pressing water issues through rigorous, science-based research and policy analysis. In the face of environmental and geopolitical crises, including extreme droughts, increasing water scarcity, and unprecedented flooding events, our mission became even more vital. Highlights of the year included the launch of numerous research reports & tools, lauding a US$250 million commitment for both the Colorado River Basin and the Salton Sea, and the initiation of a national Water and Climate Equity strategy. Our global impact was underscored by our significant participation in events such as the Stockholm World Water Week, the World Economic Forum annual meeting, and COP27. With the CEO Water Mandate welcoming 38 new endorsing companies, we continued to amplify corporate water stewardship when it's needed the most.

Benefit Accounting of Nature-Based Solutions for Watersheds Guide Version 2
August 23, 2023 | publication
This guide helps users account for and measure the stacked water,1 carbon, biodiversity and socio-economic benefits of an NBS project. Accounting for these benefits will improve a company’s impact reporting and help build the business case for green solutions, thereby supporting widespread investment, implementation and upscaling of NBS. This work will increase awareness of the value of NBS, not only for ecosystem health and community development, but also for companies directly.

Joining Forces: Innovative Co-Funding to Enhance Corporate Water Stewardship Impact in the Colorado River Basin
May 16, 2023 | publication
The Colorado River Basin faces critical water supply limitations, threatening the economic, social, and ecological stability of the region. This report explores how leveraging corporate water stewardship spending with existing and emerging funding streams, referred to as co-funding, can increase positive water impact in the Colorado River Basin and beyond.

Reimagining Water Infrastructure in a Changing California
April 4, 2023 | publication
In the article, Pacific Institute Director of Research Heather Cooley, emphasizes that water is a crucial resource for California, supporting its population, ecosystems, agriculture, and economy.

Guide for Developing Onsite Water Systems to Support Regional Water Resilience
January 26, 2023 | publication
Onsite water systems have the potential to provide multiple benefits for a site, water and wastewater systems, ecosystems, and communities.

Potential of Oilfield Produced Water for Irrigation in California
January 9, 2023 | publication
Facing the increasing severity of droughts due to climate change and ongoing depletion of groundwater, this project investigates the potential of Oilfield Produced Water (OPW) for agricultural irrigation.

Stakeholder Engagement Guide For Nature-Based Solutions
November 17, 2022 | publication
Effective stakeholder engagement is paramount to the long-term success of any nature-based solutions (NBS) project. Drawing from a range of expert sources, this guide offers accessible and clear guidelines for broad stakeholder engagement, highlighting the diverse global contexts of NBS and identifying key principles and practical steps for incorporating stakeholders into projects.

Advancing Affordability through Water Efficiency
September 8, 2022 | publication
This paper examines the relationship between water conservation and efficiency and affordability. Specifically, it examines the near-term effect of water conservation and efficiency on utility bills, i.e., water, wastewater, and energy bills, for conserving households and the longer term effect on water and wastewater costs for the larger community.
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