Over half of the world’s population obtains its drinking water supply and 40% of the water necessary for agriculture irrigation from groundwater wells, yet until recently there has not been a global analysis of the overall condition of well water levels. In a study highlighted in the April 23 edition of Science magazine, well water levels were scrutinized globally to ascertain the condition of the wells. The study, conducted by Scott Jasenchko and Debra Perrone, assistant professors at University of California at Santa Barbara, is the first of its kind to review data on a global scale, pulling information from […]

Although a natural part of the Earth’s weather cycle, drought has become a routine worry for many. Some droughts drag on for years, a circumstance that is happening with more frequency since the year 2000. Water scarcity is often understood as a problem for regions experiencing drought with several extended periods of drought in the past 20 years. [1]  Current drought conditions and outlook, however, loom far more severe than in any previous time prompting scientists to consider the potential of a megadrought, a drought lasting at least two decades. Although many regions of the country experience periods of drought, […]

Infrastructure is on the minds of people across the nation from local communities to the national level.  President Biden has made it a priority for his administration as across the nation, hundreds of cities are facing aging infrastructure issues.  Resolving these issues will not be cheap.  Lumped into the broad category of infrastructure are water systems, for both drinking and sewage.  Pittsburgh is just one of the hundreds of cities nationwide facing aging water systems that can no longer provide reliable and safe service to their nearly 300,000 customers. At the beginning of May, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority […]

In a message on World Water Day (March 22), U.N. Secretary General, António Guterres addressed this year’s theme of “valuing water,” stating that “chronic under-investment in water and sanitation disadvantages and harms vast numbers of people.”[1]  His comments speak to the paradox surrounding water:  the fundamental value of the resource world-wide and the lack of investment in its sustainability.  In 2015, The UN established 17 Sustainable Development Goals, goal number six stipulates ensuring access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.   Although the goals were adopted by 160 countries, goal number six is in jeopardy unless countries enact policies […]

Water, perhaps the most precious natural resource, prompts feelings of insecurity for certain geographical areas and raises questions as to best practices for its management, especially as climate change, droughts, pollution and population growth create ongoing water scarcity.  California struggles with management decisions that impact not only the state but also the rest of the country as the state ranks first in national agricultural receipts, accounting for 13.5%.[1]  Water shortages drive farmers to seek water from others with easier access, but in times of scarcity often prompted by droughts farmers experience colossal price hikes making farming, for some, a cost […]