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Here’s How California’s Largest Lake, the Salton Sea, Came to Be So Toxic

With Drought Worsening, Should California Have Much Tougher Water Restrictions?

All Together Now? Differences in Water Shortage Conditions Across California 

California is back in a drought. You’ve heard it on the news, you’ve heard it from scientists, and they’re right — 100% of the state is in at least moderate drought. Yet, California Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to declare a statewide drought emergency, instead opting for county-level declarations — 50 of 58 counties have been declared so far this year.

New Report Explores the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Water Reuse for Agriculture

July 14, Oakland, California -- A new report from The Water Research Foundation, Pentair Foundation, and the Pacific Institute examines the use of water reuse in agriculture. The report analyzes the benefits and includes case studies and an online benefit library.

Drought Is Stressing California’s Power Grid

The American West’s Climate Hellscape Is Just a Preview

How Will the West Solve a Water Crisis if Climate Change Continues to Get Worse?

July 2021 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

Drought Brings Stress, Economic Loss, and Societal Inequities

Climate Change is Here, Now

Gavin Newsom Calls on Californians to Cut Water Use by 15%, Expands Drought Emergency

The Climate Crisis Will Create Two Classes: Those Who Can Flee, and Those Who Cannot

Changes Happening at the Salton Sea on a State & Federal Level

California’s Heat Dome Poses Unprecedented Challenge for World’s Fifth-Biggest Economy

Op-Ed: Dying from the Heat

No one wants to be a statistic in a climate disaster—an anonymous entry in a dataset of extreme events. But sometimes things sneak up on you. A couple of weeks ago, during one of the extraordinary and severe heat events striking western North America, I almost suffered from heat stroke.

Stacked Incentives: Co-Funding Water Customer Incentive Programs

Water utilities throughout the US offer customer incentives, such as rebates and technical assistance, to motivate action and foster engagement with their customers. In addition to providing water-related benefits, many of these programs generate additional co-benefits, such as reducing energy required for heating water or increasing carbon sequestration in landscapes. These co-benefits present water utilities with an opportunity to build collaborative partnerships and co-funding for customer incentive programs through stacked incentives.

June 2021 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

Report: Groundwater Overhaul Could Threaten Drinking Water of More Than a Million Valley Residents

Why Some Californians Are Running Out of Water in 2021 and Others Aren’t

These are the California Crops That Use the Most Water

Once Again, the Earth is Being Wrung Dry

Water Shortages: Why Some Californians Are Running Out in 2021 and Others Aren’t

Forty Two Percent of Public Water Supply Wells in California’s San Joaquin Valley Vulnerable, Finds New Report

June 22, 2021, Oakland, California – Forty two percent of shallow wells supplying water to community water systems in California’s San Joaquin Valley are vulnerable to going partially or fully dry under the state’s minimum thresholds, finds a new report from the Pacific Institute. Most impacted wells are shallower, and tend to be in disadvantaged communities.  

At Risk: Public Supply Well Vulnerability Under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

Community water systems in California’s San Joaquin Valley face a host of challenges that threaten the safety and reliability of drinking water, including pollution, periodic drought, and chronic groundwater overdraft. Moreover, shallow wells, some of which serve community water systems, are vulnerable to short-term and chronic declines in groundwater levels. For example, during the 2012-2016 drought, many domestic wells and some public supply wells went dry. 

Drought Stricken Communities Push Back Against Data Centers