Report Water for Growth: California’s New Frontier By Ellen Hanak Jul 27, 2005 California’s population is expected to add another 14 million people by 2030, reaching a total of 48 million. One of the most serious concerns of policymakers is whether the state will be able to supply the water needed to sustain such a population. Although many large water projects in the past were undertaken with state and federal leadership, most current options are local or regional in scope. The frontline agencies responsible for water supply are the hundreds of municipal utilities serving the state’s residential and commercial customers. In this report, the author examines how well California is faring in meeting the water supply challenges of growth throughout the state and the extent to which local governments are integrating water supply concerns into their land-use planning. The report also evaluates progress in implementing the new “show me the water” laws, SB 610 and SB 221, which require up-front screening of water availability for large development projects.
Fact Sheet Water Affordability in California By Caitrin Chappelle, Ellen Hanak May 26, 2021 With the cost of supplying water growing in many parts of the state, an affordability crisis is brewing—both for families facing higher bills and communities trying to maintain safe systems.
Report Priorities for California’s Water By Jeffrey Mount, Letitia Grenier, Ellen Hanak, Caitlin Peterson ... Nov 1, 2023 California has made great strides in preparing for a drier, hotter future, but it remains a challenge to harness the bounty of wet years while also reducing flood risk. How did California’s water sector manage the unusually wet 2023 water year—and what lessons can we glean for the future?
blog post Water Management’s High-Tech Future By Lori Pottinger Sep 3, 2015 California’s urban water managers face some daunting challenges. We explore cutting edge advances to improve how cities manage water in an interview with Newsha Ajami.
blog post California’s Growing Demand for Recycled Water Has Ripple Effects By Henry McCann, Caitrin Chappelle May 28, 2019 Recycled water production is closely related to wastewater management. Here are three things to know about this growing water source.
blog post New Housing Permits Decline Statewide By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Mary Severance Jul 31, 2019 Despite a great need for more housing, the number of new home construction permits declined significantly during the first half of 2019.
blog post California’s High Housing Costs Have Created a Million “House Rich” Millionaires By Hans Johnson Jul 21, 2022 Rising home prices have led to unprecedented levels of wealth among homeowners, with an estimated 1.2 million households now home-equity millionaires. Who are these house-rich Californians?
blog post California’s Housing Divide By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson, Julien Lafortune May 13, 2022 African Americans and Latinos have been especially affected by the state’s housing affordability crisis, and the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on households of color threatens to widen disparities in homeownership.
blog post The Holy Grail of a Zero-Carbon Home By Sarah Bardeen Apr 8, 2024 California’s buildings account for one quarter of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions—second only to transportation. So how can California reduce their carbon footprint? We sat down with our advisory council member Dan Dunmoyer of the California Building Industry Association to find out.
