blog post A Better Way to Promote Urban Water Conservation By David Mitchell, Ellen Hanak Nov 28, 2023 Californians have been making great strides in water conservation in recent years. Now the State Water Board is considering new urban water use regulations whose statewide costs would far exceed their benefits—and significantly impact affordability. Are there better approaches? We take a look.
blog post The Unintended Consequences of Indoor Water Conservation By Lori Pottinger Nov 29, 2017 Indoor water conservation can reduce the quality and quantity of wastewater, hindering the use of treated wastewater to augment water supply.
Report Conservation and Management of Ecological Systems in a Changing California By Elisa Barbour, Lara Kueppers Nov 17, 2008 As the climate changes, responding to the new threats to species and ecosystems is one of California’s most urgent tasks. Air and temperature increases and sea level rise are all expected to compromise habitat, putting many more native species at risk of extinction. Recommendations include developing more forward-looking conservation planning processes to protect future habitat and improving the coordination of existing conservation efforts. This report was prepared as part of the Preparing California for a Changing Climate project.
blog post Californians and Water Conservation By David Kordus Jun 22, 2015 Californians’ assessments of their neighbors’ efforts to respond to the drought generally align with their area’s water conservation levels.
blog post How the USDA Helps California Farmers Steward Water and Land By Jelena Jezdimirovic Oct 2, 2019 USDA runs a large portfolio of programs to promote conservation of soils, water, and wildlife habitat on farms. California could make more use of them.
blog post A Changing State of Water Conservation By Lori Pottinger Jun 1, 2016 The state continues to learn from the latest drought--an expert interview with Fran Spivy-Weber of the California State Water Board.
blog post Are California’s Cities Conserving Enough Water? By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Kurt Schwabe, Annabelle Rosser Dec 13, 2021 As Californians eye the possibility of a third year of drought, there’s been some concern that urban residents are backsliding around water conservation, especially compared with the last major drought. We examine what cities are doing well—and where they could improve.
blog post How Are California’s Cities Managing the Drought? By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Annabelle Rosser, Ellen Hanak Oct 31, 2022 Though urban water agencies have failed to meet Governor Newsom’s call for a 15% voluntary reduction in water use, they’ve avoided major supply disruptions so far. Are cities failing to manage the current drought—or are we focusing on the wrong metrics?
blog post What Motivates People to Use Less Water? By Lori Pottinger Sep 24, 2018 During droughts, households can be inundated by messages to use less water. We talked to Katrina Jessoe about what motivates people to conserve.
blog post California’s Renters in the Dark on Drought Targets By Dean Bonner, Caitrin Chappelle Aug 6, 2015 Most Californians don’t know the details of the state’s mandatory water conservation requirements, but homeowners are twice as likely than renters to know how much they have to cut back.