Municipal Deliveries of Colorado River Basin Water

Municipal Deliveries of Colorado River Basin Water: New Report Examines 100 Cities and Agencies

Authored by: Michael Cohen, Pacific Institute

This report by our partners at the Pacific Institute documents population and water delivery for 100 cities that receive water from the Colorado River basin. Since the 1990s, the number of people dependent on the Colorado River has massively increased while water use has decreased. This report dives into these numbers and trends, and the water-efficiency trends seen across the West.

The Untapped Potential of California’s Water Supply

The Untapped Potential of California’s Water Supply

Authored by: Pacific Institute and Natural Resources Defense Council

According to our partners at the Pacific Institute and their research partners at the Natural Resources Defense Council, California could be saving up to 14 million acre-feet of untapped water with increased water management efforts. By increasing statewide use of water saving practices,water reuse, and stormwater capture, California could save more than the amount of water it currently uses per year.

Metering in California

Metering in California

Authored by:
Kristina Donnelly, Pacific Institute
Heather Cooley, Pacific Institute

This white paper by our partners at the Pacific Institute dives into water meters and their essential nature in water management, particularly during drought conditions. “Metering is an essential tool for water management and expanding and improving metering should be a priority for all California utilities,” said Kristina Donnelly, lead author of the study. “While the water savings from metering all connections in California will not create large volumes of water statewide, they can produce considerable local water savings.” Check out this white paper to learn more.

 

 

Water Use Trends in the United States

Water Use Trends in the United States

Authored by:
Kristina Donnelly, Pacific Institute
Heather Cooley, Pacific Institute

Water use across the United States dropped remarkably since 2000, to rates now lower than the 1970s. This trend has continued despite population and economic growth throughout the nation. This report from our partners at the Pacific Institute analyzes and explains these trends, and discusses what must continue to be done to meet water needs of the future.

Incentive-based Instruments for Freshwater Management

Incentive-based Instruments for Freshwater Management

This report from our partners at the Pacific Institute provides a review of incentive-based instruments - water trading, payment for ecosystem services, and water quality trading - around the world. The report and interactive tools help communities to align the right water management tools with their water goals.

The Cost of Alternative Water Supply & Efficiency in California

The Cost of Alternative Water Supply and Efficiency Options in California

Authored By: 

Accelerating Cost-Effective Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Accelerating Cost-Effective Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Learning from Local Implementation

Authored By:

Nell Green Nylen and Michael Kiparsky, Wheeler Institute for Water Law & Policy

"Conventional stormwater management strategies based around “gray” collection and conveyance systems— networks of gutters, storm drains, and sewers—have not solved persistent stormwater problems. Instead they have shifted, and in many cases exacerbated, the impacts of stormwater runoff, trading urban flooding for pollution and hydromodification of nearby rivers, streams, lakes, and estuaries.

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is an important part of the solution. A different approach to stormwater management is needed. Effective management requires a holistic approach that employs a locally tailored mix of on-site and off-site retention, treatment, and use along with pollutant source controls to protect local waters and meet other community and regulatory objectives."

Legislative Options for Financing Water Infrastructure

Legislative Options for Financing Water Infrastructure

Authored By:

Claudia Copeland, Specialist in Resources and Environmental Policy
Steven Maguire, Section Research Manager
William J. Mallett, Specialist in Transportation Policy

"This report addresses several options considered by Congress to address the financing needs of local communities for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects and to decrease or close the gap between available funds and projected needs. Some of the options exist and are well established, but they are under discussion for expansion or modification. Other innovative policy options for water infrastructure have been proposed, especially to supplement or complement existing financing tools. Some are intended to provide robust, long-term revenue to support existing financing programs and mechanisms. Some are intended to encourage private participation in financing of drinking water and wastewater projects."

A Handbook for Understanding Natural Capital

What is your Planet Worth? A Handbook for Understanding Natural Capital

Authors:

Allyson Schrier, Earth Economics
Justine Bronfin, Earth Economics
Jennifer Harrison-Cox, Earth Economics

This handbook explores and explains the relationship between human economies and natural systems, and provides an understanding of the historic disconnect between the environment and the economy. It introduces new tools and principles that recognize the economic importance of our planet’s natural systems and provides mechanisms to foster the changes needed to preserve our planet’s precious natural resources.

LIFT-UP Financial Empowerment through Utility Payments

Implementation and Impact Evaluation of Local Interventions for Financial Empowerment through Utility Payments (LIFT-UP)

Prepared for The National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

Report By:

Stephanie Moulton*, The Ohio State University, CFS Affiliate
Danielle Harlow, The Ohio State University
Olga Kondratjeva, The Ohio State University
Stephanie Casey Pierce, The Ohio State University

 

"When families fall behind on payments for basic necessities like water, it may be a sign of financial instability. Local Interventions for Financial Empowerment through Utility Payments (LIFT-UP) is a model that targets families who have missed payments to utilities or other municipal entities and offers FE interventions at the onset of the debt collection process. LIFTUP is designed to reconcile a “missed opportunity” to connect residents who are struggling to pay for municipal debts, like water utility bills, with FE services."

Check out this report from our partners at the National League of Cities (NLC) on the impact and effectiveness of such programs.