Drought
Development Still Granted Water During California Drought
Urban water systems generally aren't responding to the California drought by suspending new water connections, as they did in past drought years like 1991. What are the implications?
Silicon Valley Cities Drought-Proofing Water Supply with 'Direct Potable Reuse'
Recycled wastewater, or "direct potable reuse," proved successful in Orange County, and following the driest year on record in California, more cities are looking to implement water purification facilities.
Where the Water Really Goes in California
Golf courses and Los Angeles are the most frequently cited public enemies when droughts hit California, but it isn’t that simple. Recent articles have debunked myths about water use in the Golden State by providing a more accurate portrait of use.
California’s Gold Rush Origins Revealed By Drought
A pair of recent stories explores the reemergence of California history, especially it’s gold rush history, as a result of falling water levels around the state.
Water Rationing Begins in Parched California Communities (Updated)
As California faces its third dry year in a row, following the driest year in the state's recorded history, communities are facing the prospect of water rationing. However, some of the state's largest cities have been spared for the time being.
During Driest Year on Record, California Seeks to Seed Clouds
For those of you who thought "cloud seeding" was science fiction, California has actually been refining the practice for more than six decades. As the state experiences its driest year on record, utilities are preparing their seeding systems.
Western U.S. Confronts 'Peak Water'
A patchwork of isolated water crises in communities throughout the western United States adds up to one intricately woven story: 'we’ve reached peak water in the American west.'
A Sunbaked New Mexico Hits its Boiling Point
Harsh climate and persistent drought have accelerated New Mexico's desertification over three years of record-breaking heat. With 87% of the Western U.S. experiencing a drought, is New Mexico the canary in the coal mine for an increasingly arid area?
The Ten American Cities Most At Risk from Climate Change
Grist has compiled a list of the ten U.S. cities most likely to be affected by climate change.
Phoenix Confronts the Challenges of Inland Climate Change
Much attention has been paid recently to the challenges that a changing climate are bringing to coastal communities. But "inland empires" aren't immune. Phoenix's struggles with heat, drought, and violent winds are a presage of things to come.
Midwestern Drought Threatens the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River handles $7 billion in trade as one of the world's largest navigable inland waterways. A Midwestern drought has brought the river to water levels so low that they threaten to shut down shipping, reports John Schwartz.
Historic Drought Offers Historic Opportunity
Charles Fishman pens an opinion piece for The New York Times arguing that America's worst drought since the 1950s offers "an opportunity to tackle long-ignored water problems and to reimagine how we manage, use and even think about water."
San Antonio Spurs Pioneering Water Conservation Effort
With a multipronged strategy, San Antonio has managed to achieve the nearly impossible - keeping water use flat while accommodating substantial growth - rightfully earning it the title "Water's Most Resourceful City," reports Mose Buchele.
Is Suburban Sprawl Worsening America's Historic Drought?
As the U.S. experiences its worst drought in over half a century, Kaid Benfield questions the connection with the country's suburban growth patterns over that same period.
Stemming the Flow of "Unaccounted-for Water"
For decades, water utilities in Georgia have had a certain amount of water go missing - up to 30% of their supply, in some cases. With water becoming more precious, utilities are finally trying to solve the mystery.
Band of States Struggle Through Drought
From Florida to Arizona, 14 states are in the midst of a major drought. The effects have been far-reaching and devastating to both the environment and economy.
State Subsidies Enable the Southwest's Largest New Urbanist Development
It's at Albuquerque's edge, it's the size of Manhattan, and it's happening, despite drought, recession and tightening state budgets. An annotation of Mesa del Sol's master plan explains how and why.
Parts of U.S. at 'Extreme' Risk of Drying Out
A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council shows that many parts of the Great Plains and the Southwest U.S. are facing severe water shortages in the near future.
Seeking Solutions to California's Drought
This piece from National Geographic takes a look at the three-year drought that's plaguing California's cities and farms.
O.C. Homeowners Sued for Removing Lawn
In Orange, California, city codes require that front yards be 40% landscaping. After considerately adding drought-resistant plants and bark to save water, the city sued an Orange couple.
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
