News Briefs

News briefs and articles about water footprints, water use and availability, as well as interviews with key people in the fields of water footprints and water use.

The Iran Water Crisis is Multifaceted

June 16, 2021

The Iran water crisis has its roots in water use and conflict and is made worse by a lack of technology and US politics. The crisis could drive conflict or cooperation. The Iran water crisis is deepening. The country is experiencing one of its driest periods in 50 years. More than half the population lives […]

Sonoma Wine Country Prepares for Drought

May 26, 2021

Sonoma wine country is preparing itself for a drought that has caused the area to look like it’s July instead of May. Sonoma wine country is dealing with another potential economic blow. Last year, fires hit Sonoma and Napa Counties, and the entire state had to deal with pandemic-related closures. This year, the area is […]

Data Center Water Usage: Tackling Challenges Amid Historic Droughts, Wildfires

May 5, 2021

Data center water usage in the United States is growing, even as the country struggles with growing water shortages. Data center water usage is growing year over year. The water use is primarily dedicated to dissipating heat produced by server farms that house data centers. According to one industry analyst, a 15-megawatt data center can […]

The Environmental Impact of Food and How You Can Help

April 28, 2021

The environmental impact of food includes impacts to water. This is driven in part because agriculture uses a lot of water. The Environmental Impact of Food Includes Water The environmental impact of growing food and raising animals extends to the air, land and, yes, water. The food choices you make have consequences, some more damaging […]

Colorado Snowpack: Spring Has Sprung and Rivers Run

April 23, 2021

Colorado snowpack in the Colorado River Headwaters Basin is 3 inches below average this year. It will impact the millions of people who live downstream. Colorado snowpack feeds numerous rivers in the state that eventually end up in the Colorado River. Seven states, two countries, nine national parks and approximately 36 million people rely on […]

Time to Help The Top 10 Most Endangered Rivers

April 16, 2021

American Rivers announced their annual top 10 most endangered rivers. American Rivers released the America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2021 report, and there’s plenty of work to do. From the Georgia to Massachusetts to Idaho, many rivers across the United States are threatened, with the potential of degraded water quality and ecology, and the loss […]

Ogallala Aquifer Depletion is Causing High Plains Farmers to Conserve

March 8, 2021

Ogalla Aquifer depletion is causing many High Plains farmers to change their practices in order to conserve as much water as possible and try to save the aquifer. Ogallala Aquifer depletion rates are causing the aquifer to run dry in parts. The drawdown, caused in large part by agricultural irrigation, is especially troubling in the […]

Atmospheric Rivers Replenish Water Supplies and Create Costly Storms

February 25, 2021

Atmospheric rivers draw moisture from oceans and can help replenish regional water supplies on the west coasts of major continents around the world. Unfortunately, they can also bring massive amounts of moisture that can cause damaging and costly storms, and climate change is intensifying the effects. Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of moisture in […]

Ikea Products to Become More Sustainable, Including Water Use

February 23, 2021

Ikea products will become more sustainable in the company meets its goal of becoming 100 percent circular by 2030. Ikea products are known for their low cost and portability, which makes them useful to dorm students and city dwellers alike. A typical life cycle includes using the product for a short time after purchase then […]