Posted on

New Estimate Finds Less Fresh Groundwater in U.S. Than Previously Assumed

photo: drilling rig and drilling for water

Photo: Well drillers for Hydro Resources drill a well near Sublette, Kansas. Photo © Brian Lehmann / Circle of Blue By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue

Drilling deeper not a long-term strategy, authors say.

When a severe drought enveloped California a few years ago and rivers shriveled, farmers in the Central Valley punched wells deeper underground, seeking to tap water reserves that were untouched by aridity on the surface.

In … [more…]

Posted on

Building Roots for a More Water Secure California

photo: showing the difference between healthy soil and barren soil.

Photo: NRCS Scientists Holding Up Two Soil Samples. US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service

The recently released National Climate Assessment discussed the impacts of climate change on our nation’s water supply and agricultural productivity. The levels of uncertainty regarding the future of our water supply are troubling. Changes in precipitation patterns will intensify droughts and increase heavy downpours. Hotter, more extreme weather will disrupt how well and how … [more…]

Posted on

Where’s The Fresh Water Going?

photo: hands cupped to catch clean water flowing out of a spigot

Freshwater Is Disappearing; Can Technology Save Us?

Fresh water is the most important resource for human life on earth.

People can survive far longer without food than without water, and virtually all of our food sources require fresh water to grow or create.

Anna Kucirkova wrote a good story abut this topic for IQSDirectory.com and was kind enough to share it with McCombs Supply.

At McCombs, an appliance parts business … [more…]

Posted on

Almond Farms Keep Growing, Keep Moving on Water Conservation

photo: orchard flooded with stormwater to help recharge the aquifer. Almond Farms Keep Growing, and Keep Moving on Water Conservation

Modesto farmer Nick Blom stands in his 5-acre almond orchard intentionally flooded with stormwater as an experiment to restore the depleted aquifer in January 2016. This is one of many measures the almond industry is taking to restore and conserve water. Photo by Paul Kitagaki Jr., The Sacramento Bee

California grows 80 percent of the world’s almonds, generating $11 billion annually for the state’s economy. Richard Waycott of the Almond

… [more…]
Posted on

In the Heart of the Corn Belt, an Uphill Battle for Clean Water

photo: In the Heart of the Corn Belt, an Uphill Battle for Clean Water

Iowa State Senator David Johnson has led the fight to reduce agricultural pollution of the state’s waters. Casey Beck

Runoff from farms and feedlots has badly polluted Iowa’s waterways, more than half of which do not meet federal quality standards. Now, an unlikely coalition is calling for stricter controls to clean up the drinking water sources for millions of the state’s residents.

“Health trumps politics,” said Iowa State Senator David … [more…]