Stories about water issues in California and the American West, including coverage of energy, climate change, agriculture, innovation, water policy and rights. https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/series/connect-the-drops/rss en Agriculture Climate & Weather Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Innovation Solutions Fri, 12 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/12/farms-food-producers-taking-strides-to-save-water-and-the-climate https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/12/farms-food-producers-taking-strides-to-save-water-and-the-climate Farming and food production use most of the world’s water and produce 13 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. A number of major growers and processors are taking steps to reduce those impacts, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Agriculture Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Toxic Taps Mon, 27 Aug 2018 06:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/27/californias-cant-miss-chance-to-provide-safe-drinking-water-for-all https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/27/californias-cant-miss-chance-to-provide-safe-drinking-water-for-all State legislators have until the end of the month to pass the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. There is an urgent need to provide clean drinking water to the 1 million Californians who lack access to such supplies, says Kirsten James of Ceres. Agriculture American West Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 24 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/24/the-unanticipated-benefits-of-californias-water-policies https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/24/the-unanticipated-benefits-of-californias-water-policies From software to robots to technology originally designed to detect water on Mars, market-based policy approaches are spurring innovation, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Agriculture Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 07 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/06/07/in-berry-country-california-farmers-get-innovative-to-save-groundwater https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/06/07/in-berry-country-california-farmers-get-innovative-to-save-groundwater Driscoll’s Berries and its farmers in Ventura County are working to save water and tackle sustainable management of the local groundwater, writes Kirsten James of Ceres. Agriculture Climate & Weather Economics Management & Supply Thu, 22 Mar 2018 09:30:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/03/22/report-how-the-biggest-companies-score-on-water-sustainability https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/03/22/report-how-the-biggest-companies-score-on-water-sustainability Even though all companies depend on water resources, just over half are actively managing their use, and many of those are in California, Kirsten James of Ceres writes. Law & Policy Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:10:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/02/21/the-most-important-new-water-bills-facing-california-lawmakers https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/02/21/the-most-important-new-water-bills-facing-california-lawmakers The Golden State can take a big leap toward water sustainability with a group of bills before lawmakers this legislative session that address conservation, reuse and equity, says Ceres’ Kirsten James. Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:20:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/01/31/san-franciscos-tallest-building-makes-big-water-recycling-statement https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/01/31/san-franciscos-tallest-building-makes-big-water-recycling-statement The Salesforce Tower in San Francisco is installing a water recycling system to treat gray water and black water from the building, reducing the need for 30,000 gallons of freshwater a day, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Economics Thu, 14 Dec 2017 02:59:32 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/12/14/how-investors-are-evaluating-water-risk-in-california-businesses https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/12/14/how-investors-are-evaluating-water-risk-in-california-businesses Water risk can translate to dollars lost for investors as businesses are impacted by droughts, floods and other water insecurities. Having the tools to evaluate that risk is key, says Ceres’ Kirsten James. Climate & Weather Energy Law & Policy Fri, 01 Dec 2017 03:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/12/01/californias-water-solutions-discussed-at-international-climate-talks https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/12/01/californias-water-solutions-discussed-at-international-climate-talks The recent international climate talks in Bonn included a day dedicated to water action, with many of the solutions presented reflecting those being pursued in California. Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 31 Oct 2017 02:28:37 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/10/31/california-should-give-prop-1-money-to-groundwater-storage-projects https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/10/31/california-should-give-prop-1-money-to-groundwater-storage-projects The California Water Commission will determine which water storage projects get $2.7 billion in funding. They should seriously consider those that help California expand underground storage, writes Ceres’s Kirsten James. Economics Innovation Management & Supply Thu, 12 Oct 2017 04:30:42 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/10/12/these-food-and-beverage-companies-are-leading-on-conservation https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/10/12/these-food-and-beverage-companies-are-leading-on-conservation There is a growing awareness about water risk for businesses in the food and beverage industry. A new report from Ceres shows which companies are leading and lagging, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Climate & Weather Energy Law & Policy Solutions Mon, 11 Sep 2017 11:06:16 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/09/11/california-must-prepare-now-for-a-drier-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/09/11/california-must-prepare-now-for-a-drier-future The state should tackle its water problems the same way it has worked to curb climate change and that includes passing a package of bills to reduce water waste and improve efficiency, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Agriculture Law & Policy Wed, 23 Aug 2017 07:42:53 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/08/23/bill-before-california-legislature-could-help-supply-clean-water-to-all https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/08/23/bill-before-california-legislature-could-help-supply-clean-water-to-all A coalition of diverse interests is backing Senate Bill 623, which would create a fund to help pay for clean drinking water projects needed by the state’s rural communities, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Law & Policy Management & Supply Mon, 10 Jul 2017 04:20:48 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/07/10/california-needs-transparency-in-groundwater-pumping https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/07/10/california-needs-transparency-in-groundwater-pumping A bill in the legislature would require information about proposed new groundwater wells in critically overdrafted basins to be made public, bringing badly needed transparency to groundwater management, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Law & Policy Management & Supply Fri, 26 May 2017 06:47:31 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/05/26/california-legislature-can-prove-drought-lessons-were-learned https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/05/26/california-legislature-can-prove-drought-lessons-were-learned A package of bills now before lawmakers has the potential to ensure long-term water supply planning and preparedness for future droughts, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Law & Policy Tue, 28 Mar 2017 12:58:54 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/03/28/how-california-legislators-can-create-a-path-to-water-sustainability https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/03/28/how-california-legislators-can-create-a-path-to-water-sustainability A wet winter doesn’t mean the end to California’s water issues. That’s why a number of new bills proposed by state legislators will be essential for helping to tackle some of the state’s long-term water concerns. Agriculture Economics Tue, 21 Feb 2017 05:00:24 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/02/21/how-food-companies-can-help-drive-agricultural-water-conservation https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/02/21/how-food-companies-can-help-drive-agricultural-water-conservation Farmers with high-priority water rights have little incentive to conserve water, but food companies have leverage to help drive sustainable practices, writes Kirsten James of Ceres. Innovation Tue, 31 Jan 2017 05:51:54 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/01/31/saving-water-is-on-trend-in-the-apparel-industry https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2017/01/31/saving-water-is-on-trend-in-the-apparel-industry A few powerhouses are leading efforts in the fashion industry to be more water smart in every part of their supply chains. The rest of the industry needs to catch up, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Wed, 16 Nov 2016 10:47:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/11/16/how-big-food-companies-are-committing-to-sustainable-water https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/11/16/how-big-food-companies-are-committing-to-sustainable-water The AgWater Challenge, a project of Ceres and the World Wildlife Fund, is helping food companies become leaders on water sustainability, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Innovation Law & Policy Mon, 17 Oct 2016 05:00:29 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/10/17/rethinking-infrastructure-to-protect-californias-water-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/10/17/rethinking-infrastructure-to-protect-californias-water-future The California Water Commission’s draft regulations for water storage projects is nearly complete but it looks like the commission may miss an important opportunity to allow groundwater basins to play a role in water resilience, writes Kirsten James of Ceres. Innovation Law & Policy Tue, 11 Oct 2016 05:00:44 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/10/11/californias-new-water-data-law-will-have-far-reaching-benefits https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/10/11/californias-new-water-data-law-will-have-far-reaching-benefits California governor Jerry Brown signed a bill in September that will help collect and share water data, which will aid the water transfer market and implementation of groundwater law. Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 05 Oct 2016 05:00:57 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/10/05/water-reuse-in-california-overcoming-the-barriers-to-its-expansion https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/10/05/water-reuse-in-california-overcoming-the-barriers-to-its-expansion Californians favor increasing water reuse in the state, but regulatory and financing hurdles still remain, leading experts on the topic to join in discussing the solutions, says Kirsten James from nonprofit sustainability group Ceres. Climate & Weather Law & Policy Mon, 08 Aug 2016 10:09:30 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/08/08/why-passing-climate-legislation-is-good-for-californias-water https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/08/08/why-passing-climate-legislation-is-good-for-californias-water Legislators will soon vote on whether to extend Senate Bill 32, the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act. Kirsten James of Ceres argues why passing the bill is crucial for water security. Agriculture Management & Supply Fri, 22 Jul 2016 05:00:21 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/07/22/complications-of-new-deep-groundwater https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/07/22/complications-of-new-deep-groundwater As exciting as it was to learn of deep groundwater reserves in California, the state’s efforts now are better spent pursuing more cost-effective solutions already at our fingertips, writes Kirsten James of Ceres. Economics Environment & Wildlife Fri, 24 Jun 2016 04:27:14 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/06/24/watershed-protection-comes-from-corporate-partners https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/06/24/watershed-protection-comes-from-corporate-partners Coca-Cola is backing efforts to help restore key watersheds in southern California, signaling a new era in corporate water stewardship, writes Kirsten James, who oversees the California policy program at Ceres. Innovation Management & Supply Wed, 25 May 2016 10:21:25 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/05/25/recycled-water-key-to-californias-water-security https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/05/25/recycled-water-key-to-californias-water-security Recycled water could play a major role in helping to secure a more sustainable water future for California, but the state needs to take some key steps to move implementation along quicker. Polls indicate that the public is ready. Innovation Fri, 13 May 2016 09:56:22 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/05/13/can-california-make-saving-water-a-way-of-life https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/05/13/can-california-make-saving-water-a-way-of-life California may be in danger of losing the gains it has worked hard to achieve in the last year in water conservation. A wet winter doesn’t mean California is in the clear. Agriculture Thu, 07 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/04/07/why-food-waste-means-water-waste https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/04/07/why-food-waste-means-water-waste About 21 percent of the water that’s used to grow our food is wasted because of the magnitude of food Americans toss each year. A new report outlines four ways to begin implementing solutions that will save food, water and energy. And California can start by passing needed legislation. Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Mon, 14 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/03/14/the-best-options-for-groundwater-recharge https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/03/14/the-best-options-for-groundwater-recharge The water bond passed by voters in 2014 provides funding for projects to help recharge groundwater. But some of the best and most cost-effective options may be smaller-scale projects. Here’s a look at some promising ones in both urban and agricultural areas. Economics Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/02/29/time-to-change-water-pricing-schemes https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2016/02/29/time-to-change-water-pricing-schemes Changing how water is priced can help utilities manage the challenge of balancing high fixed costs with high levels of variable revenue. There are several countries that California can look to for ideas, including Israel and Australia, as well as a few nearby states.