Oroville Independent Forensic Team Report Oroville Dam Spillway Incident

On Jan. 5, 2018 the Oroville Spillways Independent Forensic Team (IFT) released its final report on the causes leading to the February 2017 Lake Oroville Spillways incident.

According to the report’s summary, the incident “was caused by a long-term systemic failure of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), regulatory and general industry practices to recognize and address inherent spillway design and construction weaknesses, poor bedrock quality and deteriorated spillway service chute conditions. The incident cannot reasonably be ‘blamed’ mainly on any one individual, group or organization.”

America’s Water: Developing a Road Map for the Future of our Nation’s Infrastructure – March 2016

America’s Water: Developing a Road Map for the Future of our Nation’s Infrastructure” examines the challenges water utilities are facing such as major supply issues (water quantity and/or water quality), aging infrastructure, and major funding shortfalls.

It also offers suggestions for creating a “road map” for developing, financing and managing 21st century water infrastructure.

EPA’s 2011 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment

In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted its fifth Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA or Assessment).

The purpose of the Assessment is to document the 20-year capital investment needs of public water systems that are eligible to receive Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) monies – approximately 52,000 community water systems and 21,400 not-for-profit noncommunity water systems.

As directed by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA conducts the Assessment every four years and uses the results of the survey to allocate DWSRF funds to the states. The results are also used, in part, to allocate DWSRF tribal set-aside funds to EPA Regions.

Water Works: The Economic Impact Of Water Infrastructure – July 2012

Water Works: The Economic Impact of Water Infrastructure” explores how improved drinking water infrastructure and household technologies can help increase economic production.

In developing countries, households without water infrastructure spend billions of hours collecting water for domestic use every year, which diverts time from potentially income generating activities, such as formal work, agricultural labor, and small businesses.

While the paper analyzes the impacts of a large-scale water infrastructure project in rural Kyrgyzstan, its findings have practical applications for many locations.

Value of Water: National Public Opinion Poll – May 2017

In May 2017, the Value of Water Campaign released key findings from its national public opinion poll indicating broad support among Americans for increased investment in water infrastructure.

Download findings

California’s Water: Paying for Water

In October 2016, the Public Policy Institute of California released “California’s Water: Paying for Water.”

According to the report, local water agencies contribute 84% of the California’s spending on water, while the state contributes just 13% and the federal government 3%.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that summarizes a dozen of the state’s most pressing water management issues.

California’s Future: Water

In January 2017, the Public Policy Institute of California released “California’s Future: Water.”

The publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state’s most pressing long-term policy challenges in 11 key areas:

 

For more from PPIC’s Water Policy Center please visit their website.

Groundwater in California

In May 2017, the Public Policy Institute of California released “Just the Facts: Groundwater in California.”

The fact sheet provides a look the history of floods in California, flood management funding, the challenges of climate change, and information about modern flood management benefits.

For more from PPIC’s Water Policy Center please visit their website.

Floods in California

In September 2017, the Public Policy Institute of California released “Just the Facts: Floods in California.”

The fact sheet provides a look groundwater use in California, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and challenges to managing the resource.

For more from PPIC’s Water Policy Center please visit their website.