Water & Oceans

"Chris Wilkerson used to get phone calls in the middle of the night about poop."

Some of last year's top water stories are likely to stay in the news for 2021. They will include water scarcity in the drying colorado river basin, the Biden administration's infrastructure and social justice agenda, the growing burden of customer water debt, and PFAS lawsuits.

"Oil blobs and fuel sheens are appearing on waters surrounding the shipwrecked Golden Ray, an adverse byproduct as work progresses on cutting off the vessel’s stern."

"In Hampton Roads, rising tides have started to turn some of the region’s stormwater systems — which are meant to usher rainwater into ponds, lakes and rivers via underground pipes — against this coastal community."

"Investor interest in the river could redefine century-old rules for who controls one of the most valuable economic resources in the United States."

"Hawaii’s beaches are owned by the public, and the government is required to preserve them. So years ago, officials adopted a “no tolerance” policy toward new seawalls, which scientists say are the primary cause of coastal erosion."

"Nestled between the lush forests, sheer cliffs, and marshy wetlands of West Virginia is the New River Gorge, a historic outdoors and adventure sport hub that attracts around one million visitors every year. It’s also the United States’ newest (and West Virginia’s first) national park and preserve."

"Flint residents will have a measure of justice, more than six years after the city's drinking water was contaminated with toxic lead, thanks to two bipartisan bills signed Wednesday."

"Hit by unusually low rainfall this year, Mexico City is working urgently to overcome water shortages, with climate change expected to add to existing problems of an over-exploited aquifer and old, leaky pipes, officials said."