Water
KQED Science
Quake-Revived Streams Could Keep Flowing for a While
The Napa quake jump-started several streams in the Napa and adjoining valleys, but how long they'll run and where the water is coming from is hard to pin down.
KQED Science
How to Drive Home the Drought Message: Make It a Game
As the drought continues, efforts to spur action include an online game that puts users in charge of California's water supply.
KQED Science
Drought Myth-Busting: Why El Niño Is Never A Good Bet
The peculiar set of ocean conditions is known as a California rainmaker -- but El Niño's reputation has been greatly exaggerated.
KQED Science
Landmark Groundwater Reform Headed to Governor’s Desk
The era of unlimited groundwater pumping in California could be ending. A package of bills would require local agencies to restore over-pumped aquifers.
KQED Science
Leaky Pipes Lose Billions of Gallons of Water Every Year in the Bay Area
On top of the drought, the South Napa Quake damaged dozens of water pipes and last month a ruptured pipe ruptured on the UCLA campus leaked about 20 million gallons of water. So how strong is California's water infrastructure?
KQED Science
Epic Drought in West Is Literally Moving Mountains
Some parts of California’s mountains have been uplifted by as much as half an inch in the past 18 months because the massive amount of water lost in the drought is no longer weighing down the land, causing it to rise a bit like an uncoiled spring.
KQED Science
Drought-Stricken California Town Struggles to Keep the Water Flowing
From heavy machinery to hand-held flour sifters, this town is pulling out all the stops to save its water.
KQED Science
Gardening in the Drought: What Makes a Plant ‘Drought-Tolerant’
Plants have evolved all sorts of ways to survive the dry times in California.
KQED Science
Water Restrictions: Meaning of ‘Mandatory’ Depends on Where You Live
Enforcement strategies are all over the map, literally and figuratively.
KQED Science
El Niño Fizzle: No Relief Likely for California Drought
Odds of a strong pattern of warm Pacific waters forming in time to bring winter rains are diminishing.
KQED Science
California’s Biggest Water Source Shrouded in Secrecy
Stanford launches a major investigation of the state's dwindling groundwater resources and finds "alarming" gaps.
KQED Science
Drought Becomes Top Environmental Priority for Californians
Those surveyed say they favor mandatory restrictions on water use.
KQED Science
California Water Districts Face Suit for Ignoring Conservation Law
Investigative report prompted legal action. And some districts are responding.
KQED Science
California Regulators Approve Fines for Wasting Water
Watering your lawn or washing your car may become a lot more expensive. State regulators have approved new fines aimed at water wasters, hoping the penalties will lead to a reduction in water use.
KQED Science
California’s Drought is Hurting Farmers More Than Food Consumers
Economists estimate that the drought will cost the state's farm economy about $2.2 billion this year, including the loss of more than 17,000 jobs.
KQED Science
Anti-Fracking Activists in California Take Fight to County Ballots
Activists are hoping local residents will do what state legislators haven’t done -- shut down the controversial oil production technique known as hydraulic fracturing.
KQED Science
California’s New Fracking Regulations Delayed Half a Year
State lawmakers approved the delay in late June, and at the same time tightened up the environmental review process for fracking permits.
KQED Science
Drought Drives Hungry Bears to Lake Tahoe
Nevada wildlife officials say they're increasingly responding to a new kind of troublemaker they've started calling "drought" bears.
KQED Science
State Officials Consider Mandatory Limits on Outdoor Watering
Wasting water outdoors amid the state's drought will begin hitting Californians in the wallet under get-tough restrictions being proposed by state regulators.
KQED Science
How Efficient Is Your Sprinkler?
Landscaping makes up half the water bill for most homeowners, and it’s often the most wasteful piece of the water picture.
