Water Conservation

Sprinkler Sprawl

As Drought Returns to Texas, Report Recommends Stricter Rules on Outdoor Water Use

A report from a coalition of nonprofits recommends, among other restrictions, allowing outdoor watering only twice per week.

May 5, 2018 - The Texas Tribune

Pacific Ocean

Santa Monica Wants to Stop Importing Water by 2020

This is a story about green building practices, conservation, and rainwater capture—not desalinization.

December 14, 2017 - News Deeply

California State Water project

California Water Plan Foretells Tension Between Cities, Farmers

Recognizing the ongoing drought's severity, Sacramento is set to adopt a new statewide conservation plan. But some say the regulations don't place enough pressure on California's agricultural sector.

December 12, 2016 - KPCC

recycled water sign

California Using Data To Maximize Water Conservation Efforts

Even as the Golden State has a wetter fall, California's water leaders have launched a new tool to leverage information technology and available information to support decisions around local water reliability.

December 5, 2016 - The Planning Report

Rocky Mountain National Park

How to Plan for an Uncertain Climate Future

Creating adaptive, sustainable communities may require rethinking some planning basics.

November 7, 2016 - Denver Business Journal

Grass Grift

L. A. company Turf Terminators promised low impact lawns in exchange for city rebates, but delivered shoddy work and hot rocks.

October 13, 2016 - Bloomberg

Water Dripping

What Droughts Say About Planners and Water Officials

When water policy and land use planning operate in separate spheres, it's more difficult to design for efficient resource use. Better communication is needed in the drought-stricken southwest.

May 13, 2015 - Next City

Court Ruling Makes Tiered Water Pricing Difficult for California Drought Efforts

Pricing through tiered levels (i.e., charging more for customers using higher volumes of water), will be difficult, if not impossible, thanks to the ruling of a California appeals court on April 20.

May 1, 2015 - The California Report

recycled greywater

U.S. Water Use Hits 45-Year Low

Recent data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows that the country is using less water even as its population grows.

November 6, 2014 - United States Geological Survey

New Los Angeles Mayoral Directive on Water Conservation

In an effort to conserve water and prevent the expensive water importation in the future, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently published a new directive for city-wide water conservation.

October 31, 2014 - Los Angeles Mayor

'4Liters Challenge' Addresses Water Poverty and Conservation

As opposed to the wasteful "Ice Bucket Challenge," 4Liters challenges individuals to experience water poverty by limiting themselves to four liters of water for 24 hours, about 1 percent of the amount an average American uses.

October 9, 2014 - Treehugger

'Droughtshaming' and the Death of Fun

Laura Bliss provides a summary of the controversy surrounding plans to bring the "Slide the City" event to Temple Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles.

September 22, 2014 - CityLab

Drought Killing Your Lawn? Spray Paint It

Suburbanites facing fines from municipalities or trying to impress their neighbors have an alternative to keep their lawns shining while still saving water—spray paint.

August 15, 2014 - GOOD Magazine

Rural-Urban Partnerships May Be the Key to Water Conservation

Most of us who live in major metropolitan areas know that urban water supplies are dwindling. The question is: what can we do about it?

May 19, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Can a 600-Mile Transfusion Revive the Colorado River?

The Colorado River is struggling to provide enough water for 25 million people, which could lead to water shortages and water wars in the areas that rely on its bounty. Officials are looking to find a long-term solution, reports Felicity Barringer.

December 12, 2012 - The New York Times

San Antonio Spurs Pioneering Water Conservation Effort

With a multipronged strategy, San Antonio has managed to achieve the nearly impossible - keeping water use flat while accommodating substantial growth - rightfully earning it the title "Water's Most Resourceful City," reports Mose Buchele.

August 10, 2012 - NPR

O.C. Homeowners Sued for Removing Lawn

In Orange, California, city codes require that front yards be 40% landscaping. After considerately adding drought-resistant plants and bark to save water, the city sued an Orange couple.

March 3, 2010 - www.latimes.com

To Save Water, Developers Ditch Lawns

Developers of Sterling Ranch, a proposed master-planned community in Colorado, want its future residents to curb their water use. One way they're ensuring this is by nixing traditional, lush lawns from their plans.

October 15, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Cities Facing Turf Questions

Water saver or environmental hazard? Questions are compounding about artificial turf as more homeowners ditch their grass for fake lawns. Contradicting city policies muddy the issue in the arid Southwest.

September 4, 2009 - Miller-McCune

Turf Troubles

When mandatory water conservation rules took effect in Glendale, California, homeowner David Wood installed artificial turf to maintain the green front yard emblematic of the American Dream. But his new fake lawn is against the law.

August 9, 2009 - Glendale News Press

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