Water / Public News Service

Water scarcity in the U.S. Southwest, augmented by drought, climate change, and increased competition for the resource creates uncertainty for those who grow chile peppers in the Rio Grande Valley. (Susan Vineyard/Adobe)

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Hot Conference Topic: NM First State With Official Aroma, Chile Peppers?

Can a state have an official aroma? That topic will on attendees' minds when the annual New Mexico Chile Conference is held in Las Cruces today…

In Colorado, outdoor recreation is considered to be a legally beneficial use of Colorado water. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Revised Colorado Water Plan Prioritizes Conservation

A coalition of conservation groups is giving Colorado's revised state water plan a thumbs-up for its increased focus on protecting Colorado's rivers…

The Glen Canyon Dam currently generates energy for nearly six million households in Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Falling Lake Powell Water Levels Put Wyoming Hydro Power at Risk

Part of the deal Wyoming struck for sending its water down the Colorado River was that state residents would be able to tap electricity generated at G…

Currently, New Mexico is one of the few Western states without a dedicated land and water conservation funding. (Don/AdobeStock)

Monday, February 6, 2023

NM Legislature Considers Dedicated Funding for Land, Water Conservation

As New Mexico recovers from its worst wildfire in history, lawmakers are considering a proposal to create the "Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund" to …

The North Fork of the Smith River in Oregon was not included in 1990 protections for the river, which runs through California. (Zachary Collier/Northwest Rafting Co.)

Monday, February 6, 2023

Bill in Congress Would Protect Smith River Watershed in OR

A new bill in Congress would add greater protections to a river and its watersheds in southern Oregon. Oregon Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron …

According to the U.S. Environmental Information Administration, Connecticut's 13 hydroelectric facilities generate around 120 megawatts of electricity. (Adobe Stock)

Connecticut Weighs Pros and Cons of Hydropower

While Connecticut elected officials want to import hydroelectric power from Canada, one group said the option would not be as environmentally …

Nitrate levels in water resources have increased in many areas of the world, largely due to applications of inorganic fertilizer and animal manure in agricultural areas, according to the National Institutes of Health. (Adobe Stock)

Des Moines Weighs $50 Million Water-Quality Improvement

City water leaders in Des Moines are considering a $50 million plan to use Mother Nature as a giant water filter to remove nitrates from the city's dr…

Aaron LaPointe, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, inspects an ear of organically grown traditional Indian corn. (Photo courtesy Ho-Chunk, Inc.)

NE's Ho-Chunk Farms to Focus on Conservation in 2023

A northeast Nebraska farming operation is starting the new year with an even bigger commitment to conservation, and they hope other farms take note…

The San Francisco-San Joaquin Delta is the heart of California's water system. (Steve Martarano/USFWS)

Conservation Groups Criticize State Water Board's Side Deals for Delta Water

The State Water Board now says it will take another two years to finalize the San Francisco-San Joaquin Delta water management plan, and it is …

Federal agencies such as FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the EPA now offer guides on how communities can incorporate nature-based, green solutions. (clcwa.org)

TX Climate Change Mitigation Project Could Benefit Other Communities

By Katie Watkins for Houston Public Media.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

Forty-one species of freshwater mollusk live in Darby Creek waters, eight of which are on the Ohio endangered list, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Adobe Stock)

Public Hearing Deadline Nears for Darby Creeks' EPA Designation

Disappearing mussel species and threatened water quality from development have prompted advocates to push for increased protections for Ohio's Big and…

Green buildings are designed to reduce carbon footprints, and operational and maintenance costs, which boosts bottom lines for building owners and occupants. (Adobe Stock)

Building Construction in Colorado 7th Greenest in U.S.

Colorado ranks seventh nationally when it comes to addressing climate change in its building practices, according to the latest U.S. Green Building …

While the 2022 State of the Bay ranks at a 32 or a D+, it's the highest score since the report's inception. When the report first came about in 1998, the bay's health was at a 27. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Chesapeake Bay Needs Further Cleanup

A biennial report found the health of Chesapeake Bay is in poor condition. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's 2022 State of the Bay report gives the …

According to Arizona's state climatologist, the last two monsoon seasons and triple-dip La Ni�a winters are all playing a role in the long-term drought improvements. (Adobe Stock)

Drought Conditions in AZ Improving

Arizona's drought conditions are improving. Erinanne Saffell, state climatologist, said it is important to note Arizona evaluates short-term and …

Under Colorado's clean air law, major polluters including coal mines are required to obtain and comply with air pollution operating permits. (WildEarth Guardians)

Deadline for State to Act on Coal Mine Air Pollution Permit Back in Court

Environmental groups are headed back to court this Friday in hopes of setting a clear deadline for Gov. Jared Polis' administration to start reining …

The CDC says the biggest risk to public health from cattle concentrated animal feeding operations is the amount of manure they produce, which can contain potential contaminants and pathogens, from E. coli to growth hormones and antibiotics. (Adobe Stock)

'Bigger Picture' Emerges about Proposed Dundy County CAFO

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has concluded a 30-day public comment period on its intent to approve a permit for a proposed concen…

As many as 1 million military and civilian staff and their families might have been exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims Continue to Climb

After federal legislation reduced red tape, military families who were exposed in past decades to drinking water laced with industrial solvents…

AZ Community Starts New Year Waterless

Arizona residents in the Rio Verde Foothills community started off the new year with no water after being cut off from the city of Scottsdale as part …

Medical conditions due to exposure to PFAS chemicals in drinking water and by other means have cost the United States an estimated $62.6 billion, according to a July 2022 study published in the journal Exposure and Health. (Adobe Stock)

West Virgina Lawmakers Push to Regulate 'Forever' PFAS Chemicals

West Virginia lawmakers are expected to introduce legislation in 2023 aimed at regulating PFAS chemicals in the state's drinking-water systems…

The conservation group Keep it Colorado has awarded $197,000 in grants to protect 8,512 acres of lands, including 2,500 acres adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park, that would otherwise be at imminent risk of being sold, subdivided or converted to other uses. (Adobe Stock)

New Grants to Help Preserve Iconic Mesa Verde Viewshed

A new grant is expected to help close the deal to protect key parcels of historic ranchlands and wildlife habitat adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park…

The Susquehanna River begins in upstate New York and flows 284 miles through Pennsylvania, before reaching Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay. (Christian Hinkle/Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Actions Key to Chesapeake Bay Restoration

A new report says there's hope for restoring the Chesapeake Bay - if Pennsylvania does more to meet its clean-water commitments. The 2022 State of …

Exposure to polluted sites such as coal-ash ponds can cause cancer, respiratory issues and other health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Civil Cases Against Industrial Polluters at Record Low

The Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement of federal pollution rules has plummeted. In 2022, the agency referred 88 cases to the Justice …

The Columbia River is renowned for its salmon and steelhead runs. In a year of good returns, over 1 million Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon, and summer steelhead travel up the river to spawn in its tributaries. (Adobe Stock)

New Columbia River Protections Under EPA Permits

The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop oil and other toxic chemical discharges into the Columbia …

The massive spill in Kansas marks the 23rd time that the Keystone Pipeline has leaked since it launched in 2010. (anankkll/Adobe Stock)

Group: KS Keystone Spill a Cautionary Tale for MI Pipeline

An environmental watchdog group said the recent Keystone Pipeline oil spill should serve as a warning to Michiganders if a proposed expansion of the E…

All projects being funded by the grant program and valued over $150,000 must include a minimum local contribution of at least 30%. (Adobe Stock)

$15 Million Allocated to Utah Wastewater Reuse Projects

The state of Utah has allocated a total of $15 million to wastewater re-use projects in Southern Utah. The Southern Utah Reuse ARPA Grant Program …

The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burned through a number of rural, isolated Hispanic communities, settlements, and family homesteads dating back centuries. (nmfwri.org)

Northern NM Communities Get Boost in 2022 Wildfire Financial Relief

More money is on the way to help New Mexico's communities recover from the largest wildfire in state history. The 2022 Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon …

Coloradans living in lower-income households are not only at higher risk of harm from climate change, but also suffer from environmental racism and injustice in their day-to-day costs of living, including the expense of purchasing bottled water. (Adobe Stock)

New Report Spotlights Climate Justice Blind Spots

Colorado's low-income workers and communities of color along the Front Range said they face daily environmental threats, including poor air and water …

Pumped storage projects move water between two reservoirs, each at separate and different elevations, to store energy and produce electricity. (Adobe Stock)">

AZ Hydropower Update: Two Projects Suspended, One Still in Works

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has closed the door on plans to build two hydroelectric dams in Northern Arizona. The applicant behind the …

Of 53 bay segments monitored, 57% received grades of C, D or F because of high pollution levels, according to the 2022 Save the Sound Report Card. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Provides Grants for Long Island Sound Conservation Efforts

The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding more than $10 million in grant funding to aid conservation efforts in Long Island Sound. The 2022 …

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS chemicals, have been used in a range of products, including firefighting foam. (Adobe Stock)

WI Sees Hope After 3M Decision on Forever Chemicals

Wisconsin and all other states have seen the effects of so-called "forever chemicals." Those pushing for their removal say 3M's announcement to phase …

There are seven species of Pacific salmon. Five of them occur in North American waters: Chinook, Coho, Chum, Sockeye and Pink, according to the U.S. Geographical Survey. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Issues Water Protection Permits for Columbia River Dams

The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop oil and other toxic chemical discharges into the Columbia …

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS chemicals, have been used in a range of products, including nonstick cookware. (Adobe Stock)

Clean Water Advocates Cheer 3M Decision on Forever Chemicals

South Dakota and all other states have seen the effects of so-called "forever chemicals." Those pushing for their removal say 3M's announcement it wi…

Some 50 years after passage of the Clean Water Act, half of America's waterways remain polluted, according to a report by the Environmental Integrity Project. (Adobe Stock)

IA Sierra Club Chapter Sues State, Cattle Producer

A state judge will soon hear arguments in a waterway pollution case brought by the Sierra Club's Iowa Chapter. The group is suing the Iowa …

The pilot project in Turlock will test a variety of canal widths and solar panel types. (Solar Aquagrid)

Solar Panels Planned on Aqueduct to Save Power and Energy

By Caleigh Wells for KCRW.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

The Copper Mountain mine is just 25 miles north of the Washington state border in British Columbia. (edb3_16/Adobe Stock)

Tribes Call for Greater Regulation of BC Mines Threatening NW Waters

Tribes in Washington and other western states are calling for greater regulation of upstream British Columbia mines that impact their waterways across…

If EPCOR's application is approved, Rio Verde Foothills residents could pay $20 per 1,000 gallons of water. In comparison, Scottsdale residents currently pay $1.65 per 1,000 gallons. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Community Faces Water Crisis

Arizona is running dry, and one community north of Scottsdale is facing the harsh reality. Rio Verde Foothills has more than 2,000 homes, and about 5…

Tribes from Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia have been adamantly opposed to pollutants flowing into a transboundary waterway between the U.S. and Canada. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Tribal Leaders Bring Canadian Mine Waste Concerns to D.C.

Tribal leaders from the Northwestern U.S. have been in Washington, D.C., this week to discuss how waste from mines in British Columbia is threatening …

Climate driven-drought has left only driftwood and sand in the channel where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers converge. (Rob Shepard-Danita Delmont/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Groups Urge New Approach to Managing Mississippi River

Drought has devastated the Mississippi River, turning parts of the 2,350-mile channel into dry streambeds and shallow pools. As barge traffic in …

Soil erosion by water occurs when bare-sloped soil surface is exposed to rainfall, and the rainfall intensity exceeds the rate of soil intake, or infiltration rate, leading to soil-surface runoff. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Watershed Watchers Want Action on Climate Change

The Iowa Watershed Planning Advisory Council just released its annual report and said the Iowa Water Plan needs an update. The report showed climate …

According to Consumer Reports, crowded windowless

Study Points to Poultry Litter as Source of NE Water Pollution

A new study is focused on concerns for Nebraska waterways. The three-year, independently funded research identifies rising levels of phosphorus and …

There's a long history of mining across the Canadian province of British Columbia. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Tribes Say BC Mine Waste Threatens Water, Way of Life

Tribal representatives from across the Northwest are flying into Washington, D.C. this week to discuss how mine waste in British Columbia is …

Officials at the state's Department of Natural Resources say last year's drought in Minnesota was likely the worst one seen since 1988. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Snow, Climate Watchers Keep Close Eye on MN Drought Patterns

Snow is on the ground in much of Minnesota, but the state is coming off another warm season with notable drought conditions. Those who monitor …

$Hydraulic fracturing relies on water supplies from ponds, streams and reservoirs, which research suggests can impact water flow. (Ohio Northern University)$

New Research Dives into Fracking’s Impact on Water Flow in Ohio

Fracking is a very water-intensive industry, and a new study dives into the impact of unconventional oil and gas drilling on aquatic ecosystems in …

A new report on the cost of water bills estimates that 6.7% of Michigan consumers, or 668,000 residents, pay more for water than they can afford. (motiontion/Adobe Stock)

Report Urges Water-Affordability Strategy to Help Low-Income Michiganders

Residential water rates in Michigan are soaring, with an estimated one out of ten households without access to or unable to afford clean water…

More than 6 million people rely on the Upper Rio Grande River for water, food, and shelter. (rgbrt.org)

Report Card: Upper Rio Grande Basin's Health Rated 'Moderate'

To help people better understand the health of the Upper Rio Grande Basin, a first-ever "report card" gave the overall river basin a "C" for its …

Construction of the Little Goose Dam in eastern Washington began in 1963 and was completed in 1970. (Brigida I. Sanchez/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

With Leak Report, Snake River Dams Could Be Showing Their Age

Four dams on the lower Snake River have been the sites of contention in the Northwest, and a recent report of an oil spill at one of the dams could …

The Silver Creek Preserve is located about 30 miles south of Ketchum, Ida. (Neil Crescenti/The Nature Conservancy)

First Ever 'Trout-Safe' Certification Awarded to ID Farm

A farm in Idaho has received the first-ever "trout-safe" certification from an organization that protects habitat for the fish. The Nature …

A photo from the top of the berm near the Smurfit-Stone site shows how close the Clark Fork River is. (Lisa Ronald/American Rivers)

Tour of Former Mill Site Underscores Dangers for MT River

Community members and conservation groups recently toured a former paper mill because of urgent concerns that the site poses a threat to a nearby Mont…

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Water

Hot Conference Topic: NM First State With Official Aroma, Chile Peppers?

Revised Colorado Water Plan Prioritizes Conservation

Falling Lake Powell Water Levels Put Wyoming Hydro Power at Risk

NM Legislature Considers Dedicated Funding for Land, Water Conservation

Bill in Congress Would Protect Smith River Watershed in OR

Connecticut Weighs Pros and Cons of Hydropower

Des Moines Weighs $50 Million Water-Quality Improvement

NE's Ho-Chunk Farms to Focus on Conservation in 2023

Conservation Groups Criticize State Water Board's Side Deals for Delta Water

TX Climate Change Mitigation Project Could Benefit Other Communities

Public Hearing Deadline Nears for Darby Creeks' EPA Designation

Building Construction in Colorado 7th Greenest in U.S.

Report: Chesapeake Bay Needs Further Cleanup

Drought Conditions in AZ Improving

Deadline for State to Act on Coal Mine Air Pollution Permit Back in Court

'Bigger Picture' Emerges about Proposed Dundy County CAFO

NC Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims Continue to Climb

AZ Community Starts New Year Waterless

West Virgina Lawmakers Push to Regulate 'Forever' PFAS Chemicals

New Grants to Help Preserve Iconic Mesa Verde Viewshed

Report: PA Actions Key to Chesapeake Bay Restoration

EPA Civil Cases Against Industrial Polluters at Record Low

New Columbia River Protections Under EPA Permits

Group: KS Keystone Spill a Cautionary Tale for MI Pipeline

$15 Million Allocated to Utah Wastewater Reuse Projects

Northern NM Communities Get Boost in 2022 Wildfire Financial Relief

New Report Spotlights Climate Justice Blind Spots

AZ Hydropower Update: Two Projects Suspended, One Still in Works

EPA Provides Grants for Long Island Sound Conservation Efforts

WI Sees Hope After 3M Decision on Forever Chemicals

EPA Issues Water Protection Permits for Columbia River Dams

Clean Water Advocates Cheer 3M Decision on Forever Chemicals

IA Sierra Club Chapter Sues State, Cattle Producer

Solar Panels Planned on Aqueduct to Save Power and Energy

Tribes Call for Greater Regulation of BC Mines Threatening NW Waters

AZ Community Faces Water Crisis

U.S. Tribal Leaders Bring Canadian Mine Waste Concerns to D.C.

Illinois Groups Urge New Approach to Managing Mississippi River

Iowa Watershed Watchers Want Action on Climate Change

Study Points to Poultry Litter as Source of NE Water Pollution

Tribes Say BC Mine Waste Threatens Water, Way of Life

Despite Snow, Climate Watchers Keep Close Eye on MN Drought Patterns

New Research Dives into Fracking’s Impact on Water Flow in Ohio

Report Urges Water-Affordability Strategy to Help Low-Income Michiganders

Report Card: Upper Rio Grande Basin's Health Rated 'Moderate'

With Leak Report, Snake River Dams Could Be Showing Their Age

First Ever 'Trout-Safe' Certification Awarded to ID Farm

Tour of Former Mill Site Underscores Dangers for MT River