Prior to the origination of the plans for the Panama Canal vessels of trade had few options of getting goods from Europe and Asia to N. America. One was to sail around the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn) adding...more
Stakeholders should stay informed as state and federal officials advance plans and policies for water conservation, water quality, and climate resilience in California....more
Over the past five weeks, we have described the wide range of water resources available to meet Arizona’s current and future needs. These resources include groundwater, in-state surface water, Colorado River water, long-term...more
On January 10, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his $297 billion budget proposal for 2023-2024, which includes a $22.5 billion budget deficit. Despite environmental/climate change programs facing $6 billion in cuts,...more
The past few weeks have been active ones for California in assessing the severity of its current drought and how it plans to manage its water during the third year of that drought. On top of other, more localized action,...more
As drought conditions intensify throughout the western United States, water allocation and procurement continue to be contentious issues. While the problem is easily identified—demand keeps increasing, but supply is...more
Southern California counties reach most intense drought category - Los Angeles Times – August 23 - As drought conditions continue to worsen throughout California, Ventura and other Southern California counties have...more
Arizona’s Senior U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is credited as being instrumental in negotiating the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, H.R. 3684, entitled “Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface...more
Drought leaves key African hydro dam less than a third full - A regional drought has reduced water levels at Kariba Dam, the main source of power for Zambia and Zimbabwe, to less than a third of its capacity. The dam is...more
Namibia installs clean-powered desalination system - Namibia has inaugurated its first ever fully solar-powered seawater desalination system, moving closer to achieve[sic] its efforts in becoming self-sustaining. ...more
South Africa: Raw sewerage continues to flood major river - The South African Department of Water and Sanitation has set aside ZAR341 million for the resuscitation of all wastewater treatment infrastructures in the Vaal...more
New paper outlines transferable lessons from Cape Town drought - A new study by the University of Cape Town’s African Centre for Cities has unpacked lessons that other South African municipalities can learn from to adapt to...more
Nkwinti extends TCTA board’s term to 30 April - Water and Sanitation Minister Gugile Nkwinti has extended the term of the current Tans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) board to 30 April....more
Everyone is in pursuit of happiness - that elusive state in the human psyche that is not merely a positive mood but a state of well-being with a sense of meaning and deep satisfaction. Happiness is fast becoming a measure for...more
With the Trump administration in full gear, hopes are high the new president and Congress will enact legislation supporting and expanding investment in U.S. infrastructure. While the two political parties may disagree on the...more
It’s been a productive time for advocates of water in the U.S. with President Obama signing into law the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN). WIIN includes the Water Resources Development Act of 2016...more
Renewable Energy Focus - California's regional electricity grid plan on hold - Los Angeles Times - Aug 8 - Governor Jerry Brown’s plan for a regional electricity grid is being put on hold this year, and...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Lawsuit claims Delta fish harmed by relaxed water standards - Modesto Bee - Apr 25 - Relaxed water quality standards during the drought have harmed salmon, smelt, and other fish...more
On Wednesday, February 10, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (Dem.-California) introduced a draft bill with the explicit purpose to “provide short-term water supplies to drought-stricken California and provide for...more
Cranes, cement trucks, and street closures seem to be everywhere these days, especially in city centers such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. After the meltdown of 2006, real estate development went into hibernation for...more
It took nearly twenty-five years for the Bay Bridge to become a reality and before the paint was even dry on the self-anchored suspension span questions had already been raised about the design and seismic safety of the...more
Environmental and Policy Focus: Governor Brown touts aggressive plan to cut greenhouse gases: KPCC - Apr 29: California would aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 under a plan announced Wednesday by...more
In one week, California voters will determine whether to pass Proposition 1, which would approve the Water, Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 and make $7.5 billion available for water quality, supply...more
Assembly Bill 2443, signed Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown, amends California’s Water Service Duplication Statute to allow for political subdivisions, such as municipalities or county water districts, to provide recycled water...more