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In California water news this weekend …
A stratospheric disruption is occurring — and the impact on California is becoming clearer
“For weeks, meteorologists have been watching the upper atmosphere flirt with something extraordinary — the earliest recorded sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) on record. It looked imminent, with upward ripples in the jet stream weakening the polar vortex, a band of strong, cold winds high above the Arctic, and hinting at a massive disruption to the weather pattern in December. But the atmosphere had other plans. New data now confirms the atmosphere never crossed the threshold into a major sudden stratospheric warming event. To qualify, the band of strong winds about 55,000 feet up — the ring that normally circles the pole from west to east — has to fully reverse direction. Models suggest it may briefly flip later this week, but the reversal looks weak, short-lived, and not strong enough to count as a true breakdown of the polar vortex. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Forget turkey, we’re thankful about salmon. How California is helping salmon bounce back.
“In just the last week, California approved seven new salmon restoration projects in the Central Valley, marked significant progress in bringing salmon back to the Klamath River, and celebrated the completion of a major fish passageway along the Sacramento River. It’s all proof that the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future — combined with its Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program — is paying dividends nearly two years since Governor Gavin Newsom first announced the plan. “Salmon are an integral part of our shared history in California,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “We’re doubling down to make sure this species not only adapts in the face of extreme weather but remains a fixture of California’s natural beauty and ecosystems for generations to come.” … ” Read more from the Office of the Governor.
Delta tunnel project appeal responds to concerns from environmentalists
“An appeal submitted last week may pause the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) if the Delta Stewardship Council, the state body charged with implementing a Delta sustainability plan, upholds the appeal. The DCP, also known as the Delta Tunnel, proposes to build a 45-mile-long tunnel from the Sacramento River at the town of Hood to the Bethany Reservoir near Mountain House. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the project’s lead agency, has said that the tunnel is necessary to modernize the State Water Project (SWP), which currently shoulders earthquake risks with a single delta intake downstream of an aging levee system. The SWP’s system of canals, pipelines and reservoirs collectively provides water to 750,000 acres of farmland and 27 million people in the state. The Zone 7 Water Agency, which manages and wholesales water in the Tri-Valley, sources as much as 90% of its supply from the SWP. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent.
Drought amplifies human-wildlife conflict, study finds
“A recent study from the U.S. state of California finds that the public reported more encounters with wildlife in times of drought. Researchers say they expect such drought-driven human-wildlife interactions in other areas also facing water shortages — a growing problem amid climate change. The researchers analyzed more than 31,000 wildlife-related incidents reported by members of the public to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) between 2017 and 2023. The reports fell into four categories: property damage; general nuisance including negative interactions unrelated to property damage; instances when people believe an animal could potentially cause conflict; and simple sightings. Most reported incidents, more than 18,000, involved property damage. These ranged from attacks on livestock by pumas and coyotes, to landscaping damage by wild pigs and turkeys, to home damage by black bears. … ” Read more from Mongabay.
Trump cuts could hinder efforts to stop climate-fueled spread of invasive species
“Climate change is one of the top threats to vulnerable species around the world, driving widespread losses of plants and animals that can’t adapt fast enough. But at the same time, rising temperatures are in some cases opening the door for certain organisms that can thrive under these changes: invasive species. From melting sea ice to longer growing seasons, global warming is unlocking new pathways for the spread and proliferation of certain non-native plants, animals, fungi and bacteria, according to a growing body of research. These new arrivals can wreak havoc on ecosystems and agricultural land, sometimes outcompeting native species and costing the global economy more than $400 billion in damages annually—including $21 billion in the United States alone, estimates suggest. Despite these threats, the Trump administration has poked holes in invasive species research funding and mitigation efforts across the country in recent months. Scientists say this decrease in resources could have major long-term ecological and economic consequences. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
In commentary this weekend …
Politically viable water supply projects
Edward Ring, Director of Water and Energy Policy at the California Policy Center, writes, “A few years ago I was involved in an effort to qualify a ballot initiative, the “Water Infrastructure Funding Act.” While we failed to gather sufficient signatures to get it onto the November 2022 state ballot, if it had been approved by voters, water scarcity in California would have been eliminated forever. Unfortunately, certain provisions in that measure attracted immediate, forceful opposition which put potential major supporters into an impossible position: Donate about $5 million to qualify the initiative, then spend another $50 million or so on a campaign for votes, and risk losing. The allegedly toxic provisions we’d included are no secret. The initiative named seawater desalination and surface reservoirs as among the projects eligible for funding, and was neutral on the Delta Tunnel. Any one of those three attracts apoplectic opposition from a critical mass of powerful players. The failure of our effort invites a worthwhile question. What combination of water supply projects might be assembled that would not invite apoplectic opposition, but together could still eliminate water scarcity? … ” Continue reading this commentary.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Remembering Dr. Jim Cloern
“At the December 5 meeting, the Delta ISB will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Jim Cloern, who passed away on November 3, 2025. Dr. Cloern served on the Delta ISB from 2020 to 2021, and prior to becoming a member, was one of the scientists that the Delta ISB would always turn to for feedback and insights, given his four decades of research in the Bay-Delta at the United States Geological Survey on topics ranging from primary production to disturbance by introduced species. During Dr. Cloern’s time on the Delta ISB, he played an important role in the 2021 non-native species review and organized a Delta ISB panel discussion on food webs that eventually resulted in the Delta ISB’s pursuit of a review on this topic, which was completed in 2024. His legacy extends far beyond the Delta ISB, and he was awarded the Brown-Nichols Science Award in 2012 for his outstanding contributions to science in the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary and watershed, among many other accolades. “Dr. Cloern was genuinely fascinated by our evolving estuary, dedicating more than four decades to meticulous observations that continue to expose its ecosystem interconnectedness,” says Delta Lead Scientist Dr. Lisamarie Windham-Myers. “Today’s Delta science community is more warm, welcoming, and world-recognized because of his light.””
Ross Boulanger: Engineering with nature, not against it
“Some forms of engineering deal with predictable, controlled environments. Ross Boulanger deals with the kind that can change from place to place and day to day. He is a distinguished professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering, focusing on geotechnical earthquake engineering, a field where decisions can be shaped by the unique geologic conditions found only in the location where a dam, bridge or other project is being built. “I always like construction,” he said. “It has a lot of uncertainty. And I find trying to make decisions in the face of uncertainty really fun.” He has traveled around the country and world consulting on large-scale projects like his current assignments on dams and mines in California, Washington and Utah; a pair of mines in Peru; a pair of mines in Chile; a dam in Panama; and tunnels, mines and dams across his native Canada. He has provided input to the agency known then as the Earthquake Commission of New Zealand and helped analyze the sinking and tilting of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco. … ” Read more from UC Davis.
Podcasts …
WATER TALK: The Imperial Valley – winter produce basket and living border
A conversation with University of California Desert Research and Extension Center Director Dr. Jairo Diaz about water, agriculture, and border dynamics in the Imperial Valley spanning California, Arizona, and Mexico.
CAPITOL WEEKLY: Jim Wunderman: From Bay Area Council to California Forever
Our guest today is Jim Wunderman, who has been at or near the center of Bay Area Politics for four decades, starting with his time working in the office of then-San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein. Feinstein taught Wunderman to think of the larger San Francisco region as one interconnected entity, an approach that ultimately made him a perfect fit as the head of the Bay Area Council. Wunderman served as the CEO of BAC for just over 21 years. Last month he announced that he will be leaving the organization to head up public affairs for California Forever, the ambitious project to create en entirely new European-style city on what is now cow pasture just outside of Rio Vista. California Forever is the dream of Jan Sramek, a Czechoslovakian emigre who sees the project as a major step in solving California’s housing crisis. He’s convinced a bevy of billionaires to back him – now it will be up to Wunderman to get California’s political decision makers on board.
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma – California’s banker
After a few weeks of hiatus, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma joined Darcy & Darcy for an in-depth discussion on water, ag, infrastructure financing, and public service. If you don’t know what the state treasurer does, think of this position as the state’s primary banker. Treasurer Ma’s office processes more than $3 trillion in payments within a typical year and provides transparency and oversight for an investment portfolio of more than $124 billion, approximately $34.8 billion of which are local government funds. Ma has been a strong advocate for California’s agricultural sector and has worked on various initiatives to support farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Her commitment to agriculture underscores her understanding of its vital role in California’s economy and environmental sustainability. But that’s not all! Darcy & Darcy learned that Treasure Ma is the co-founder of the San Francisco Farm Bureau, and it all started with saving the historic Cow Palace!
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: A Tribe Without Salmon – For Now
The Winnemem Wintu People prayed in the 1800s that the Salmon would wait for their tribal people by the ice field. It’s puzzling that the tribe would have prayed such a prayer at that time. You see, there was plenty of Salmon in the McCloud area water system in the 1800s. Salmon runs have become much less prolific in recent decades for a variety of reason, including the construction of Shasta Dam. Surprisingly, the Maori Tribal People of New Zealand contacted Chief Caleen Sisk several years ago and told her that they had their Salmon. Water is center stage, once again, in this story about the disappearance and reappearance of Salmon. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388GREEN ROOT: A beautifully burned forest, with Richard Hutto, wildfire biologist
On episode 100 of the Green Root Podcast—the official podcast of Eco-Integrity Alliance—we explore the ecological wonderland and wildlife haven that is a severely-burned forest, with Richard Hutto, emeritus professor in wildlife biology and author of the new book, A beautifully burned forest.
WATER LOOP: Sewer corrosion explained: The problem eating infrastructure alive
Hydrogen sulfide is the invisible gas quietly eating away at sewer systems—driving odor complaints aboveground and concrete failure below. In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Kerry Koressel of IPEX explains how H₂S forms inside collection systems, why splashing and drops inside manholes turn it into a corrosive, dangerous gas, and how it can silently destroy manholes, pipes, and metal components over time. He breaks down the real costs for municipalities, from emergency repairs and bypass pumping to business impacts when odors reach streets and downtowns. The conversation explores why these problems persist despite decades of awareness, including limited budgets, competing priorities, and the sheer scale of sewer networks. Koressel also discusses how better hydraulic design, improved materials, and oxygen-boosting strategies can suppress odors, reduce corrosion, and send “better sewage” downstream. Together, these approaches point toward a more sustainable, lower-maintenance future for collection systems under growing environmental and financial pressure.
Weekend video …
Protecting Forest Health with SYRCL Exec. Director Zettler-Mann
South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) Executive Director, Dr. Aaron Zettler-Mann, was the guest speaker at the November 15th AAUW program. His talk focused on the importance of protecting forest health and reliable water, which are critical concerns for people living in Nevada County. As climate change continues to reshape the environment, what will it mean for forests, the quality of water, and the future of local communities? Dr. Zettler-Mann shared the inter-connectivity of local forests, water systems, air, and living ecosystems. He also will discuss steps that can be taken — both at home and across the region — to adapt and build resilience, emphasizing that healthier forests lead to cleaner water and stronger, more resilient communities.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Residents pack Ukiah workshop on Potter Valley Project decommissioning
“On Monday, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission held a three-hour workshop at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center to discuss the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project and answer questions from community members about how it will impact the local economy, residents, and natural resources. For more than 100 years, the Potter Valley Project has diverted water from the Eel River to the Russian River watershed through two dams — the Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury and Cape Horn Dam at Lake Van Arsdale. The two lakes have supplied water to communities throughout Mendocino and Sonoma counties. This water source has been crucial for agricultural, municipal, and environmental uses. As soon as 2028, PG&E plans on decommissioning the Potter Valley Project, which could help fish restoration on the Eel River but could also decrease water availability and negatively impact local communities. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice.
Water storage options floated for Mendocino County’s Potter Valley as Pacific Gas and Electric advances dam removal
“The daunting question faced for years now by a small farming valley in Mendocino County is where it will turn to for irrigation water once the Lake County dam that impounds its main source, Lake Pillsbury, comes down. Owner Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is seeking federal approval to decommission the dam and the connected hydropower project that for more than a century has funneled Eel River flows through a mountain tunnel into canals that feed Potter Valley, and eventually emptying into the Russian River, boosting its supplies for downstream cities and farms. As expected, once Scott Dam is gone along with its downstream waterworks — a removal project PG&E estimates to cost $500 million — Potter Valley growers, ranchers and residents worry they could be left high and dry. Officials in Mendocino and Sonoma counties have been working on backup storage options to avoid that scenario and sustain the valley’s $35 million agricultural output, the lifeblood of its rural community. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
SEE ALSO: What will Mendocino County farmers do when Potter Valley dams are removed?, from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Butte County faces financial challenge in Stirling City sewer system upgrade
“Butte County leaders are grappling with the challenge of replacing portions of the aging sewer system in Stirling City without imposing extreme financial burdens on the community. Stirling City, part of County Service Area 82, comprises approximately 95 parcels that provide sewer service to the area. The system, built in 1942 during World War II, has been deemed by Butte County public works staff to have exceeded its useful life and requires replacement. The lower portion of the system was previously replaced in 2006. … ” Read more from KRCR.
Federal court issues injunction blocking Army Corps of Engineers’ removal of American River trees
“A Sacramento Federal Judge has issued an injunction blocking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from cutting down more than 700 trees, including some heritage oaks, along the Lower American River. The injunction by the U.S. District Court was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Save the American River Association and American River Trees. The area slated for tree removal by the Army Corps for “flood control” features 3.3 miles of riparian forest around Howe and Watt avenues in the heart of the Sacramento Metropolitan Region. “I’m grateful this injunction will keep the forest of the Lower American River intact and healthy,” said Justin Augustine, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a statement. … ” Read more from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos.
BAY AREA
Contra Costa County: Rain barrels are encouraged to reduce water costs and offset droughts
“The Contra Costa Clean Water Program is encouraging people to set up rain barrels to collect water this rainy season to offset costs and potential droughts. Rain barrels collect, store and use rainwater for landscape irrigation. According to Oakley Assistant Engineer Brianne Visaya, by connecting a barrel to a home’s downspout, clean rainwater is collected and held for later use in gardens and landscaping. Most rain barrels include tight-fitting lids, screens to prevent mosquitoes, a spigot, and an overflow outlet, and can typically store between 50 and 200 gallons. “A rain barrel is a simple, effective system that allows residents to capture and store rainwater from their roofs,” Visaya said. “Benefits include reducing stormwater runoff, saving water, protecting local waterways, and supporting drought resilience.” … ” Read more from the Brentwood Press.
Bridging the way to flood protection in Morgan Hill
“In a remarkable feat of coordination and engineering, an 18,000-pound pedestrian bridge in Morgan Hill has found a new home. On September 18, 2025, Valley Water carefully relocated the bridge to make room for major flood protection improvements along West Little Llagas Creek, ensuring both safety and continued trail access for the community. Originally installed in 2008, the bridge was moved approximately 1,550 feet to a new spot where it now crosses Edmundson Creek, near its connection with West Little Llagas Creek. This move enables the bridge to remain part of Morgan Hill’s trail system, providing walkers, joggers and cyclists with a scenic and safe crossing. … ” Read more from Valley Water News.
CENTRAL COAST
Politics, law and reality collide in pursuit of relief on Peninsula water woes.
“Say you want to install a new water meter on the Monterey Peninsula – no can do. Since 1995, the region’s water utility, California American Water, has been under a cease-and-desist order from the State Water Resources Control Board to stop illegally overpumping the Carmel River. That order led to a ban in 2009 on new water meters, making it difficult to impossible to build needed housing since then. In this mess, some real water supply projects have advanced, chiefly a recycled water project called Pure Water Monterey. It means Cal Am is within its legal pumping limit – yet the cease-and-desist order is still in effect. Everything in local water is a proxy for something else, and in this mess of public agencies and projects, one recurring storyline is that Cal Am is a villain – in some tellings, it is a hero thwarted in its efforts to develop an alternate water supply. … ” Read more from Monterey Now.
Cambria to launch zero liquid discharge pilot in latest push to solve long-standing water crisis
“For more than a decade, Cambria has lived in a constant state of water uncertainty. Now, Global Water Innovations Inc., a project developer, is preparing to test a pilot project at the Cambria Water Reclamation Facility with the hope that it could finally make the plant more viable for use. “Preparations for full zero liquid discharge (ZLD) testing are now underway, marking a significant step forward in advancing the district’s water sustainability efforts,” Matthew McElhenie, Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) General Manager told New Times in an email. The pilot comes almost a decade after the facility was originally built under an emergency permit during one of the worst droughts in California history. … ” Read more from New Times SLO.
Santa Barbara County: November’s rainfall tops local records with little impact to wildfire burn areas
“November’s rainfall is responsible for Santa Barbara County experiencing “one of the wettest starts to a water-year on record.” That’s according to Flood Control District Senior Hydrologist Shawn Johnson, who gauges the ebb and flow of rivers and reservoirs across the county and keeps close tabs on rainfall patterns, with decades of water data recorded by the county at his disposal. Based on last water-year’s rainfall stats, measured between Sept. 1, 2024, and Aug. 31, 2025, Johnson told the Sun via email that this year’s rainfall already matched last year’s total percentage within just a few months. “It’s noteworthy that the current [normal water-year rainfall] percentage is the same as last year’s entire rainfall—51 percent,” Johnson said. … ” Read more from the Santa Maria Sun.
Solvang wastewater treatment plant to get upgrade using $1m federal grant
“The City of Solvang will be upgrading its wastewater treatment plant with help from a $1 million federal grant championed by Congressmember Salud Carbajal. The money will help replace outdated infrastructure, strengthen “emergency preparedness capabilities,” and “safeguard reliable access to clean water for the entire community,” the city said. Treated wastewater is used for non-potable purposes such as landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and street cleaning. It helps fill gaps when, despite recent rainfall, the state continues to grapple with drought conditions. This year, the city’s state water allocations have fluctuated and experienced temporary disruptions due to repairs on the State Water Project pipeline. Planned improvements to the plant include enhancing treatment processes, electrical system upgrades, updating the water quality laboratory and administrative buildings, and new infrastructure elements for potential future expansion of recycled water treatment, including for Solvang residents. … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent.
Ventura lifts ‘do not use water’ order after false positive test detected gasoline in tap water
“The city of Ventura has lifted a “do not use water” order in the Pierpont neighborhood. The city says routine testing on Tuesday night detected gasoline in the tap water, but further testing showed it was a false positive. The city had been distributing water after telling residents they could not use the tap water to wash, cook or drink until further notice. They now say it was a false positive and that the water is safe to use. The incident upended Thanksgiving plans for some. … ” Read more from ABC 7.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Fresno County regains title of number one agriculture region in California
“Rebounding crop prices and an adequate water supply helped pushed Fresno County’s agriculture industry into the number one spot in California with a record-setting production value of $9 billion in 2024. The county’s total production value rose 5.7% from 2023, putting it ahead of Tulare County at a total value of $8.3 billion and Kern County at $7.9 billion . Fresno County’s Agricultural Commissioner Melissa Cregan delivered the news to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday as part of her annual presentation of the crop and livestock report. This year’s report also recognized the industry’s farmworkers. “Without them, we would not be able to achieve the level of agriculture production that we have here in Fresno County that feeds the world,” she said. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
New charge for La Cañada Irrigation District customers starts in January
“The La Cañada Irrigation District Board of Directors passed a new “Pass-Through” charge for its customers, which will be enacted on Jan. 1, on the back of dwindling groundwater supply. The charge will increase the average water user’s bimonthly bill by about 13% — or $42 — due to the unplanned cost increases incurred by the district from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). The majority of La Cañada Flintridge residents rely on the district for their water supply. The Irrigation District obtains part of its water supply from the local groundwater at the Raymond Groundwater Basin. The other supply is obtained from imported wholesale water purchased from the Foothill Municipal Water District. … ” Read more from the Outlook Valley Sun.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Board of Supervisors hears that the Salton Sea can be cleaned
“Tom Sephton, the president of Sephton Water Technology, gave a presentation about water quality restoration at the Salton Sea during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. “The reason we have a challenge at the Salton Sea is that water, as you know, has been moved away to other places. Almost half a million acre-feet of water every year is going to San Diego, Metropolitan Water District and the Coachella Valley Water District,” Sephton said. To increase the availability of local distilled water, Sephton proposed purifying and selling salt from the Salton Sea to reduce the water’s salinity. “We would propose to use the technology we’ve developed over 20 years of work at Cal Energy to purify Salton Sea water to cleaner water and pure salt for sale,” Sephton said. “We have proven using geothermal heat that we can purify Salton Sea water into drinking-quality distilled water. We have also proven at Cal Energy that we can get pure salt out of the process.” … ” Read more from the Desert Review.
SAN DIEGO
Federal agencies report progress on Tijuana River cleanup, cite increased wastewater treatment
“Federal agencies released their first quarterly progress report Friday on efforts to permanently resolve the decades-old Tijuana River sewage crisis, detailing accelerated construction timelines and increased treatment capacity while acknowledging ongoing challenges. The Nov. 21 update from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) marks the first public progress report required under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in July between the U.S. and Mexico. Among a slate of infrastructure improvements and policy priorities listed in the MOU, top of mind for many residents, advocates and officials was expanding treatment capacity for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which the EPA reported is now at 35 million gallons per day capacity — up from 25 million gallons. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
Invisible hands in the desert: How one room operates the Central Arizona Project
“CAP Water Control Dispatcher Miguel Ayala steps in front of an array of screens and graphs and checks a log of day-ahead water delivery orders. The overnight monsoon thunderstorms had given way to a morning of dark, overcast skies. Inside the CAP Control Center that remotely operates the entire 336-mile system, the operations team was adjusting. “Rain is fantastic,” Ayala said. “But for real-time operations on this system, it means changes.” Overnight rain had drenched certain areas in central and southern Arizona. So some water users called the Control Center to significantly reduce the amount of water they wanted delivered from what they had ordered for delivery the previous day. No problem. Ayala could do that from the Control Center. … ” Read more from Know Your Water News.
SRP draining Salt River canals, rounding up fish for infrastructure project
“The Salt River Project recently kicked off its biannual maintenance on sections of the canal system, which begins with draining water and rounding up fish. Crews started the monthlong process of drying canals south of the Salt River on Nov. 20 and will continue the project through Dec. 20. In January, they’ll repeat the process north of the river. To collect the fish, workers skim the canal with chicken wire, guiding them toward a partition. Once enough fish are gathered, an excavator lowers a large net into the water while crew members use smaller nets to help transfer them. Finally, the giant net is lifted onto the road beside the canal, where a waiting tank truck receives the fish. … ” Read more from KTAR.
SEE ALSO: SRP workers herd fish, pull out carts and even cars during annual canal dry-up, from KJZZ
Arizona advances four major desalination and water importation projects
“The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) has advanced four water importation proposals, including multiple large-scale desalination concepts, into the study phase of its Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund (LTWAF) program. The move marks the latest step in the state’s effort to secure new, reliable water supplies. WIFA selected proposals from two teams: the ACCIONA-Fengate Water Augmentation Alliance and EPCOR Water Innovation Partners. Seventeen teams originally submitted qualifications, followed by six full proposals. After review by evaluation teams and LTWAF committees, four projects were chosen for further study. WIFA Board Chairman Jonathan Lines called the board’s vote a significant milestone, noting that the next phase will combine engineering analysis and public input to help shape long-term water strategies for Arizona. … ” Read more from Smart Water Magazine.
A generational win for the Colorado River: Shoshone water rights secured for instream flow protection
“On Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) took one of the most consequential actions in the 50-year history of Colorado’s Instream Flow Program, approving the acquisition of the historic Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant water rights for permanent instream flow protection. This decision will echo for generations. It represents years of tough conversations, negotiation, and truly exceptional collaboration among people who often disagree but ultimately united around a shared truth: now is the moment to do something important for the ecological health of the Colorado River. … ” Read more from Audubon.
In national water news this weekend …
EPA says U.S. has fewer lead service lines than previously estimated; new funds available
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday announced $3 billion in new funding for states to accelerate lead service line replacement, as well as the redistribution of $1.1 billion in previously usused funds. It also announced adjustment to previous estimates of the total number of lead service lines in the United States. The $3 billion is part of the Bipartisan Infrastrucutre Law’s dedicated funding ($3 billion annually over five years) for lead service line replacement through FY 2026. This $3 billion is the latest installment and the funds flow through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to states. EPA said the funding will accelerate progress in finding and removing lead pipes that deliver water to homes, schools and businesses. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
Americans are moving out of flood-prone neighborhoods
“The American neighborhoods with the highest risk of floods are again losing residents. For the first time since 2019, high-risk counties lost domestic residents, with 30,000 more people relocating to other places in the country than moving in, according to a report from Redfin. It’s a sharp reversal from the pandemic years, when remote workers flocked to coastal areas and Sun Belt cities. Some of those counties, however, still had a total increase in population as immigration from overseas remained strong. The online real estate platform analyzed 310 high-flood-risk counties identified by First Street, a climate-risk modeling firm, and cross-referenced the data with U.S. Census Bureau population estimates that covered the 12 months starting in July 2023. Of those counties, 132 saw net outflows while 178 saw net inflows — but the number of people leaving exceeded those arriving. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
