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.
blog post Drought Watch: Trends in Urban Water Use By Caitrin Chappelle, Emma Freeman Aug 20, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought. As water agencies look beyond the current emergency for ways to adapt to future droughts, it is instructive to examine urban use in two relatively normal water years, 2000 and 2010.
blog post A Changing Water Landscape By Ellen Hanak Jan 13, 2020 A look back at the PPIC Water Policy Center’s work in 2019.
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.
Report Building Drought Resilience in California’s Cities and Suburbs By David Mitchell, Ellen Hanak, Ken Baerenklau, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Jun 12, 2017 California’s urban water suppliers have become increasingly adept at drought management thanks to investments in diverse supplies, cooperative efforts with neighbors, and programs to manage water demand. But in the face of extreme hot and dry conditions, questions arose over preparedness for ongoing drought, and the state took the unprecedented step of ordering mandatory water conservation in 2015. This report looks at evolving state and local roles in managing urban water supply during drought, and lessons to help us better prepare for droughts of the future. This research was supported with funding from California Water Service, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
blog post California’s Growing Demand for Recycled Water Has Ripple Effects By Henry McCann, Caitrin Chappelle May 28, 2019 Recycled water production is closely related to wastewater management. Here are three things to know about this growing water source.
blog post What’s Really Important? Putting Recent Water News into Perspective By Sarah Bardeen Dec 8, 2021 Last week, three major stories about California’s water supply dominated the news. We asked PPIC Water Policy Center director Ellen Hanak and senior fellow Jeff Mount to share their perspectives on what’s really important about these stories.
Report Managing Wastewater in a Changing Climate By Caitrin Chappelle, Henry McCann, David Jassby, Kurt Schwabe Apr 16, 2019 California’s wastewater sector helps protect public health and the environment. It is also the source of recycled water. But climate change is bringing water scarcity and other pressures to the sector. Shifts in policy and planning can help prepare the sector for a more volatile future.
blog post Californians Can Save Water—and Preserve Quality of Life By Ellen Hanak Apr 14, 2015 Californians are starting to realize that it’s possible to have beautiful communities while using much less water for landscaping.
Report California’s Water: Water for Cities By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, David Mitchell, Newsha Ajami ... Nov 12, 2018 California’s urban water suppliers are adapting to an increasing population and a growing economy by diversifying supplies and reducing demand. Ongoing challenges described in this brief include managing water quality and developing cost-effective, sustainable local supplies.