We fell short of our Fall Fundraiser goal of 2,500 donations. Help us catch up ⏩ Give Now

Federal "Buy American" rules could be stalling infrastructure projects

Oct 26, 2023
Rules to boost the domestic economy now apply to broadband and water equipment. Delays and higher costs can be part of the trade-off.
The Gila River Indian Community develops projects to conserve water. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said federal rules requiring the use of American-made construction materials can be an obstacle.
SafakOguz/Getty Images

Capturing stormwater to deal with California's drought is complicated

Jan 13, 2023
The infrastructure to capture California stormwater could be decades away, officials say.
Rain falls as the Los Angeles River flows at a strong rate on Jan. 9, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Drought in South Texas has farmers worried about their crops

Oct 17, 2022
In South Texas, two reservoirs supply water to both sides of the border. For the past few years, they’ve struggled to remain half-full.
Above, a cotton field post-harvest near Waxahachie, Texas, on Sep. 19. Farmers across south Texas are grappling with historically dry conditions.
Andy Jacobsohn/AFP via Getty Images

Arizona grapples with balancing growth and a limited water supply

Sep 15, 2022
On of the state's major sources of water, the Colorado River, has fallen to historic lows.
Rancho Sahuarita has grown fast, and its water utility has had to grow quickly with it.
Megan Myscofski/Arizona Public Media
Historic drought has brought water levels down to record lows on the Colorado River, seen here on March 28.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Infrastructure plan targets lead pipe hazards

May 27, 2022
Experts say efforts to replace the potentially harmful piping grids are not moving fast enough.
Workers in Flint Michigan replace a lead water service line in March 2016.  The federal infrastructure law provides $15 billion to remove lead service lines, but experts say that's still not enough.
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

In rural West Texas, the demand for well water is growing

Dec 14, 2021
People have been moving to far West Texas during the pandemic, but officials are concerned there isn't enough water to go around.
Lee Killingsworth and another driller operate the rig and look out onto the property.
Zoe Kurland

For public good, not for profit.

Study finds that fracking contaminated a water supply

Mar 29, 2016
One of the biggest debates about fracking is whether it pollutes underground water supplies
A fracking site is situated on the outskirts of town in the Permian Basin oil field on January 21, 2016 in the oil town of Midland, Texas. 
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

On the ground from Kathmandu, Nepal

Apr 27, 2015
Aid workers face challenges after a devastating quake.
Nepalese rescue personnel and volunteers observe damaged buildings in Bhaktapur, Nepal, two days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the country. 
PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images

Municipal water systems are vulnerable

Aug 4, 2014
Toledo residents can drink tap water again, but what does the future hold?