California Water Views

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the water industry. The need for massive amounts of water to cool AI data systems could exacerbate already strained water resources in the U.S. and worldwide. To avoid being forced to choose between shutting down operations or overtaxing community water supplies, technology companies must look for ways to reduce water use. New AI offerings promise to revolutionize the provision of water service by helping water utilities operate more efficiently, but to realize these benefits AI must face the issue of water sourcing head ...

In the November 2024 election, California voters approved Proposition 4 – the Climate Bond, authorizing the state to issue $10 billion in general obligation bonds to fund climate resilience and environmental conservation projects.

The Legislature and Administration are currently debating how much of these funds will be available in the first year of allocations. The Governor’s 2025-26 January State budget proposal outlines his proposal for Proposition 4 allocations, but the final State budget and allocation of these funds will be negotiated with the Legislature until a ...

On March 4, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in the case City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, in which it held that “end-result” requirements routinely imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (and, in California, by the state and regional Water Boards) in NPDES permits are not allowed under the Clean Water Act. This pivotal opinion has major implications for effluent limitations and other conditions that may be imposed on discharges in NPDES permits under the CWA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ...