Water/Drought

Feds probe Nestle’s CA operations

Nestle, which has spent months weathering attacks on its water bottling practices in California, has been targeted by the federal government for investigation. “Under pressure from environmental groups’ lawsuits, the U.S. Forest Service has begun a comprehensive environmental review of Switzerland-based bottled water

Sinking CA land to cost billions

James Poulos January 1, 2016

California’s struggling infrastructure faced the daunting prospect of too little water underground and too much falling from the sky. “Four years of drought and heavy reliance on pumping of groundwater have made the land sink faster than ever up and down

CA stares down tough water storage task

James Poulos December 28, 2015

California officials have found their drought difficulties are compounded by an ironic new challenge: too much rainwater to store. Despite decades spent puzzling over the tall order of improving the state’s massive network of waterways, “those who need water the

17 years later, O.C. desalination plant inches toward finish line

Chris Reed December 19, 2015

The massive $1 billion Carlsbad desalination plant — the largest in North America — begins normal operations this month after a long legal and regulatory odyssey. The plant is expected to provide 54 million gallons of water a day, or

CA water priorities in question

James Poulos December 7, 2015

Regulators and officials grappling with California’s ongoing drought face another unceasing problem: a chorus of criticism. From conservation to infrastructure, statewide policies and priorities have come under attack from a broad assortment of adversely affected residents. Water districts themselves have wound

Water woes bring uneven fines and regulations

James Poulos November 29, 2015

California’s ongoing water crisis promised to extend the controversy over fines and regulations well into the next year — if not beyond. While some areas suffer, others flourish, and fines — in some instances aggressively applied — have been meted

Officials: Get used to paying more for less water

Dave Roberts November 24, 2015

Californians may need to get used to paying more for water, despite and because of their successful efforts at conservation, according to state water officials at a recent Assembly committee hearing. Californians exceeded the state’s 25 percent water conservation mandate

Largest U.S. desalination plant nears CA open

James Poulos November 9, 2015

California has begun its biggest foray into desalination. Located in Carlsbad, in the San Diego area, the plant has raised hopes for drought relief — but has brought elevated stakes along with it. “The billion-dollar project is only the nation’s second

CA drought brings fines, shaming

James Poulos November 3, 2015

After a wave of new rules, regulations and crackdowns, many water-conserving Californians have evaded formal and informal punishment. With no end in sight, however, others have begun to face both forms of penalties. The mood of the public and officials alike has tilted

MWD’s biggest customer rips it in online campaign

Chris Reed October 1, 2015

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California — the giant water wholesaler which supplies 19 million people — finds itself the target of an unusual campaign by the San Diego County Water Authority, which has been both MWD’s biggest customer