Fact Sheet Paying for California’s Water System By Caitrin Chappelle, Ellen Hanak, Annabelle Rosser May 26, 2021 Most funding for California’s water system comes from local water bills and taxes. During droughts and recessions, revenues decline, making it harder for water agencies to keep up with needed investments.
Report California’s Water: Paying for Water By Ellen Hanak, Dean Misczynski, Jay Lund, Brian Gray ... Nov 12, 2018 Sustainable solutions by state and local leaders are needed to close serious funding gaps in a number of critical areas of water management—including floods, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. This brief describes the state’s major water funding gaps and proposes ways to fill them.
blog post Why Drought Makes Water Rates Rise By Lori Pottinger Jun 14, 2017 Drought means lower water sales. An expert interview on how urban water suppliers manage reduced revenues during drought.
Report California Water Myths By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Richard Howitt ... Dec 8, 2009 California faces enormous challenges in establishing a sustainable path for water resource management. One challenge is the rhetoric surrounding major water issues in the state. This study highlights eight common water myths, focusing on water supply, ecosystems, and legal and governance issues. In combating these myths, the report sets the stage for a more informed approach to water policy and management. More information and additional myths can be found in Myths of California Water - Implications and Reality. Interactive Map: Per Capita Urban Water Use: 1960-2005 Interactive Feature: Virtual Tour (Center For Watershed Sciences, UC Davis) Supported with funding from S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Pisces Foundation, Resources Legacy Fund, and Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.
blog post A Changing State of Water Conservation By Lori Pottinger Jun 1, 2016 The state continues to learn from the latest drought--an expert interview with Fran Spivy-Weber of the California State Water Board.
blog post Drought Watch: Priorities for Cities and Farms By Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount Mar 18, 2015 Cities need to do more to reduce landscape irrigation. For farmers, the options are somewhat different.
California Economic Policy, Report Lawns and Water Demand in California By Ellen Hanak, Matthew Davis Jul 12, 2006 Over the next 25 years, outdoor water use will be a major factor in escalating water demand in California. The demand will be aggravated by the dominant land-use pattern in inland areas: single-family homes with lush lawns. Without efforts aimed specifically at reducing outdoor urban water use, the demand will pose significant financial and environmental challenges for California. In this issue of CEP, the authors analyze population growth and housing trends in the state’s major climactic regions, estimate residential lot and yard sizes, and examine the water needs of cool-season turf grass lawns. They also evaluate several outdoor water conservation programs.
