Report Managing Water and Farmland Transitions in the San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Andrew Ayres, Caitlin Peterson, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Sep 18, 2023 How can the San Joaquin Valley adapt to a future with less water? We’ve been researching this issue for the past seven years, and our new report presents highlights from we’ve learned, including a robust list of policy suggestions to help the valley weather—and make the most of—the coming changes.
blog post Tackling “Forever Chemicals” in the Water Supply By Sarah Bardeen Jan 19, 2023 Much has been made of two drinking water pollutants recently: PFAS and microplastics. We spoke with Jason Dadakis of the Orange County Water District to learn more about these pollutants—and to find out how worried we should be.
Report Solar Energy and Groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley By Andrew Ayres, Annabelle Rosser, Ellen Hanak, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Oct 25, 2022 Hundreds of thousands of acres of irrigated farmland may come out of production in the San Joaquin Valley in coming decades. At the same time, the state needs to ramp up renewable energy generation to meet climate goals. Could solar development on fallowed land help the valley’s residents? Our new report examines the challenges and opportunities.
blog post Consolidating Small Water Systems Is a Springboard to Water Justice By Sarah Bardeen Nov 15, 2021 California’s State Water Board has embarked on an ambitious program to encourage struggling small water systems to join forces with larger, neighboring water systems. We spoke with two experts to find out how it’s going.
Fact Sheet Water Affordability in California By Caitrin Chappelle, Ellen Hanak May 26, 2021 With the cost of supplying water growing in many parts of the state, an affordability crisis is brewing—both for families facing higher bills and communities trying to maintain safe systems.
blog post Record-High Share of Californians Worried about Climate-Fueled Wildfires By Alyssa Dykman, Gokce Sencan Aug 5, 2019 After two years of deadly fires, the PPIC survey finds a big jump in concern over wildfires becoming more severe as a result of global warming.
press release Record-High Share of Californians Concerned About Global Warming Making Wildfires More Severe Jul 29, 2019
blog post The Changing Face of California’s Water Leadership By Lori Pottinger Jun 26, 2017 California’s water managers face many challenges—from climate change to a growing population. We talked to Celeste Cantú about how the profession must change to better address these issues.
blog post Drought Watch: Rethinking Urban Water Pricing By Ellen Hanak, Caitrin Chappelle Sep 3, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought. Mandatory water use restrictions can be more effective than voluntary ones. Most Californians say they strongly favor mandatory cutbacks. So why aren’t more water agencies enacting them?
blog post Drought Watch: Essential Elements for a Water Bond By Ellen Hanak, Caitrin Chappelle Apr 24, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought. As the legislature considers the final size and shape of this new bond, it is worth reviewing how bond funds have been used in the past and the areas that most need bond support in the future.
