Water

EPA proposes all lead pipes be replaced within 10 years

The requirement would be a “massive unfunded mandate,” said a group representing local water utilities. But it does give cities, particularly those with lots of lead pipes, some leeway.

  • By Kery Murakami

After a pandemic pause, Detroit restarts water shut-offs—part of a nationwide trend as costs rise

COMMENTARY | Cities are turning to water shut-offs as more water service bills go unpaid as utility costs continue to climb.

  • By Elizabeth Mack, Edward Helderop and Tony Grubesic, The Conversation

The future of the Colorado River hinges on one young negotiator

J.B. Hamby, California’s representative in talks about sharing water from the Colorado River, holds the keys to a quarter of the river’s flow—and its future.

  • By Mark Olalde and Janet Wilson, ProPublica

Sewer rates soar as private companies buy up local water systems

New state laws have unleashed dozens of buyout attempts.

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

One city’s ‘data conversations’ help confront pressing challenges

Faced with water shortages, Henderson, Nevada, has turned to a data-driven approach to solve it. It’s now rolling out its approach to other departments citywide.

  • By Chris Teale

Low-income water assistance program set to end

Advocates are pushing to extend the program as poverty rates in the U.S. are on rise, an increase attributed to the end of other expanded pandemic benefits for food, rent and unemployment.

  • By Kery Murakami

What Arizona and other drought-ridden states can learn from Israel’s pioneering water strategy

COMMENTARY | Arizona is considering a multibillion-dollar desalination project to address its urgent water needs. Three water experts call for a go-slow approach and point to Israel as a role model.

  • By Gabriel Eckstein, Clive Lipchin and Sharon B. Megdal, The Conversation

States lose federal water funds to earmarks

Democrats and Republicans in Congress could divert nearly $1.5 billion from states for local funding.

  • By Kery Murakami

US water infrastructure ‘unsustainable’ amid rapidly evolving crisis, report warns

The United States is facing an unsustainable demand for water and lacks the security posture to defend the nation’s water systems from emerging threats, according to a new report.

  • By Chris Riotta

Water conservation model built on the Rio Grande may be a template for rest of US

Sen. Martin Heinrich hopes to add a nationwide groundwater conservation program to the Farm Bill.

  • By Danielle Prokop, Source New Mexico

Much is at stake in Congress’ upcoming budget negotiations for state and local water agencies

Two analyses suggest governments will be getting far less than what they need. They blame politics and earmarks.

  • By Kery Murakami

As water reuse expands, proponents battle the ‘yuck’ factor

Treated wastewater could be the answer to communities' looming concerns over water shortages. Despite skepticism and, often, disgust at the idea, experts say reused water is a glass-half-full solution.

  • By Jim Robbins, KFF Health News
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Regional partnerships can bring a refreshing solution to aging water infrastructure

When legacy water systems lack adequate data collection and monitoring capabilities, communities face an uphill battle delivering clean, safe water to residents.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

As EPA cracks down on ‘forever chemicals,’ cities worry about the price tag

In addition to the billions of dollars it will take to keep PFAS out of drinking water, water utilities could be on the hook for even more if a federal law isn’t changed.

  • By Kery Murakami

How smart software powers water conservation

COMMENTARY | Communities can optimize water usage, minimize waste and promote sustainable practices.

  • By Alexey Istomin

Feds want to help prevent cyberattacks on the water sector

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking input on guidelines for mitigating the risks of cyberattacks on water and wastewater systems.

  • By Chris Riotta

Las Vegas Needs to Save Water. It Won’t Find It in Lawns.

Drought-plagued Nevada pledged to do away with 3,900 acres of grass in the Las Vegas area within six years, but a ProPublica analysis found that the state grossly overestimated how much of that grass would likely be removed.

  • By Nat Lash, Mark Olalde and Ash Ngu, ProPublica

There's a Deal to Conserve the Colorado River, Now Comes the Hard Part

After two decades of an ongoing “mega drought” in the West, there are a variety of water conservation efforts to choose from. But one idea in California sticks out.

  • By Rachel Gottlieb

North Dakota Governor for President?

What the U.S. Supreme Court rulings mean for states and localities; watching the debt limit drama; and more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

  • By Elizabeth Daigneau

Supreme Court Scales Back Scope of Clean Water Act

Conservatives on the court say the decision preserves state authority to regulate land and water use. But liberal justices worry the ruling will gut efforts to curb water pollution.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

States Differ Over What's a 'Disadvantaged' Community

The definitions states are using to define a disadvantaged community varies widely, and it is leaving many low-income communities out of federal funding for essential water projects.

  • By Kery Murakami