News

Namibia’s capital Windhoek faces a challenge that many fast-growing citiesmay soon confront: How do you secure more water when there is almost none to spare? In one of the driest regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, every drop counts. That necessity led Windhoek to become the first city in the world, back in the 1960s, to turn treated wastewater directly into drinking water, a system that today supplies more than a third of the city’s water needs. The city built in an arid climate is combining pioneering water recycling, underground water storage, and community-led conservation to cope with chronic water scarcity. What lessons can other water-stressed cities learn from a place where wasting water simply isn’t an option? View Original Article read more

… Two major data center bills passed a key committee last week as California’s legislative session nears its close at the end of this month. Senate Bill 886 aimsto prevent data centers from raising utility costs for other consumers, while SB 887 would incentivize developers to invest in clean energy and nearby communities. … It’s unclear how Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will respond to bills opposed by politically powerful utilities and tech companies. Last year, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required data centers to report their water usage. … But the politics are shifting. Other data center water use and regulation news: The Business Journal (Fresno, Calif.): Visalia, Tulare County consider data center moratoriums this week The Union Democrat (Sonora, Calif.): Calaveras County moves to pause AI data centers. What will Tuolumne County do?​ The Modesto Bee (Calif.): Data centers in Patterson? Here’s why city leaders could extend moratorium​ The Vallejo Sun (Calif.): Developers planning data center for Fairfield industrial park​ Courthouse News Service: Sidebar podcast: The data center gold rush View Original Article read more

A long-discussed transformation of De Anza Cove in Mission Bay has cleared a key hurdle, giving the City of San Diego a path toward dramatically expanding wetlands while maintaining space for recreation and camping. … De Anza Cove is home to a mix of recreational uses, including walking, paddling, golfing, camping, and an RV resort. Nearby is the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve, a natural habitat for numerous species. … Under the plan, marshland could expand significantly by taking in part of the current Campland site. … The expanded wetlands could help protect natural habitat and the surrounding area from flooding. Other wetlands news: Santa Cruz Sentinel (Calif.): UC Santa Cruz researchers to study Southern California wetlands View Original Article read more

At its next meeting Wednesday, the Ukiah City Council is scheduled to consider nearly tripling the amount of financial support the city provides toward activities related to the pending decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project, a hydroelectric plant in Mendocino County that the Pacific Gas and Electric Company is seeking to dismantle. According to the agenda staff report prepared for the Aug. 19 meeting, the board is being asked to consider approving a contribution of “up to $215,000 to the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission for Fiscal Year 2026–27 …for activities related to the Potter Valley Project.” View Original Article read more

A vessel with golden mussels was stopped Saturday by marine inspectors before it reached the water at Folsom Lake after the invasive species was found attached to the craft. California State Parks officials said the discovery was another example of the ongoing effort to keep golden mussels out of California waterways and a reminder for boaters to remain vigilant when launching their vessels. … The lake, owned and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, remains free of golden mussels, state officials said. The mussels were discovered Saturday attached to the hull of a boat bound for Folsom Lake at a decontamination site operated by Mello Marine, a boat dealer on Folsom-Auburn Road. Other golden mussels news: WaterWorld: California’s water systems face a new infrastructure threat: Golden mussels View Original Article read more

A Ninth Circuit panel granted a win to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Monday, confirming a lower court’s finding the conversion of water service contracts from the California Central Valley Project doesn’t require a new environmental review. A three-judge panel unanimously held the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act required the bureau to change a contract if requested by a water user, and does not necessitate the agency undertake environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act or Endangered Species Act before converting each water service contract. … In a statement to Courthouse News, John Buse of the Center for Biological Diversity, representing the plaintiffs, called the ruling “unfortunate.” Related: Law360: 9th Circ. says statute mandates Central Valley contract switch View Original Article read more

A regional aquatic team for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, geared up in waders, waterproof neoprene socks and safety gloves, moved along last week in the waters of the Lower Dolores River. The venture Aug. 12 was a fishing operation near the Dove Creek Pump Station to survey native fish populations. … The stretch referred to starts below McPhee Reservoir, flowing more than 100 miles until merging with the San Miguel River. It is seen by CPW biologists as a particularly significant stronghold for the residential roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker and a secondary fourth native, the Colorado River sculpin, which all together support the wider ecosystem’s health that eventually flows 87 more miles to reach the Colorado River. The team at CPW uses 30 years worth of data to understand trends and the overall fishery health at multiple sites. Other fish biology news: California WaterBlog (UC Davis): Meet California’s preeminent fish squeezer – Dr. Peter B. Moyle The Land Desk: Blog: Save the humpback chub! View Original Article read more

… Around the entire Willcox Basin, estimates are that more than 100 drinking wells have dried up in recent years. Regulators from the Arizona Department of Water Resources have proposed cutting water use by farms — by far the basin’s largest water user — by 10% to reduce the pressure on the area’s long-depleted aquifer. … State officials tookthe first step this month towards curbing the Willcox Basin’s chronic groundwater overdraft. Following more than a decade of building anger and anguished debate over water use and drying wells in the basin, ADWR has proposed torequire most farmers in the 1,911-square-mile basin covering parts of Cochise and Graham counties to cut their water use by 10% starting in 2029. But already, Steve Kisiel, leader of an activist group in the basin called Cochise Groundwater Stewards, said he’s received anecdotal accounts of “easily more than 100” wells in the basin that had to be deepened after they’d gone dry.  Other groundwater news: SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): Kings County groundwater agency to host workshops ahead of land assessment fee election View Original Article read more