water pollution - CalMatters

Recycling is one way for California to boost its water supply. Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge captures and reuses water to irrigate its lush forests, ponds and gardens. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

How can California boost its water supply?

by Rachel Becker November 7, 2022November 7, 2022

From capturing stormwater runoff to transforming agriculture, here are some ways for drought-prone California to get more water.

Esperanza Guerrero, 35, fills a glass full with water from her tap in Teviston, on Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Stephanie Keith, Reuters

California approves microplastics testing of drinking water sources

by Rachel Becker September 7, 2022September 7, 2022

plastic pollution

It’s high time to put a lid on plastics

by Guest Commentary June 21, 2022June 20, 2022

A water faucet in a home in California. March 18, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

State unveils long-awaited standard for drinking water contaminant

by Rachel Becker March 21, 2022March 21, 2022

clean water

Clean water in California is overdue

by Guest Commentary October 19, 2021October 18, 2021

Booms float in the Talbert Marsh as workers try to limit the spread of oil from a spill from an offshore oil rig in Huntington Beach on October 4, 2021. The U.S Coast Guard is leading the response to the spill, which comprised 126,000 gallons of oil and covered about 5.8 nautical miles between the Huntington Beach Pier and Newport Beach. The spill emanated from a facility operated by Beta Offshore about five miles off the coast, and was likely caused by a pipeline leak. Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG

A rare ecological gem is slicked with spilled oil — again

by Rachel Becker October 5, 2021October 5, 2021

The latest on the oil spill: A ship may have caused the pipeline damage weeks earlier

by Julie Cart and Rachel Becker October 4, 2021January 12, 2022

We need a strong Civilian Climate Corps in California

by Guest Commentary September 28, 2021September 27, 2021

A water fountain at Rio Hondo Park in Pico Rivera, CA, on Nov. 6, 2020. . Photo by Tash Kimmell for CalMatters.

Forever chemicals: California unveils health goals for contaminated drinking water

by Rachel Becker July 21, 2021July 27, 2021

Microplastics collected in the San Francisco Bay Area are identified and labeled accordingly for an ongoing study in a lab headed by Chelsea Rochman, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. Photo by Cole Brookson courtesy of Rochman Lab

Premature or precautionary? California is first to tackle microplastics in drinking water

by Rachel Becker March 15, 2021August 3, 2021