Clean Water News

Text NOLITTER to 404040 to Win Free Concert Tickets

The Contra Costa Clean Water Program is sending three Contra Costa residents and three of their friends to a show of their choice at the Concord Sleep Train Pavilion during the 2010 concert season. Just text NOLITTER to 404040 for your chance to win! No purchase necessary. Certain exclusions apply. See Official Rules for complete details at LiveNation.com.

Californians Willing to Save Water, Poll Finds

The incessant rain all winter and spring did not convince California residents that there will be enough water to go around in the future, according to a statewide poll released Wednesday. Most Californians are, in fact, willing to alter their daily habits and drastically cut consumption in an effort to ward off what they expect to be severe, long-term water shortages.

Report Finds Delta Among Most Vulnerable U.S. Rivers

The river system that makes up the backbone of the state's economy ranks as one of the most imperiled watersheds in the nation, putting at risk drinking water for millions of Californians as well as billions of dollars worth of crops and urban infrastructure, according to an annual report on the country's most important waterways. To learn more see the June 2nd San Francisco Chronicle article.

A Passion to Clean Up the Pacific Ocean's Great Garbage Patch

The exact dimensions of the North Pacific Trash Gyre aren't known. Some say it's the largest concentration of plastic debris in the world, a huge plastic garbage patch estimated to be either the size of Texas or twice that size. To read more see the May 10th Chrisitan Science Monitor article.

Scientists Side with Delta Smelt, Salmon Protections

A panel with the National Academy of Sciences says measures taken to save the fish that have also curbed water supplies from the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta are scientifically justified. To read more see the March 19th LA Times article.

New Study on Pesticide's Possible Role in Worldwide Frog Decline

A common pesticide can turn one in 10 male frogs into females, and leave most other males infertile, according to a UC Berkeley study published Monday online. Previous studies linked the weedkiller atrazine with the development of hermaphrodite frogs — which have both male and female sex organs. Scientists also suspected the pesticide tinkered with cellular machinery enough to cause male frogs to switch sexes, but they couldn't be certain without a genetic test to show that a frog bearing young was in fact a male. To learn more read the March 1st Contra Costa Times article.

Beaches Awash in Garbage After Series of Storms

We finally got the storms we so desperately needed, but now much of the Southern California coastline, particularly near river mouths, is littered with bottles, cans, tires, shoes and shopping carts.See the January 24th Los Angeles Times article to read more.

Even at Sublethal Levels, Pesticides May Slow the Recovery of Wild Salmon Populations

Biologists determined that short-term, seasonal exposure to pesticides in rivers and basins may limit the growth and size of wild salmon populations. In addition to the widespread deterioration of salmon habitats, these findings suggest that exposure to commonly used pesticides may further inhibit the recovery of threatened or endangered populations. For more information read the December 17th Science Daily article.

SDSU Researchers Say Cigarette Butts Are Toxic Waste

Researchers say there's new scientific evidence that cigarette butts are toxic hazardous waste. A San Diego State University professor led the research team. SDSU Professor Tom Novotny says research indicates the California Environmental Protection Agency may be able to label cigarette butts as toxic hazardous waste. He says it's possible the federal EPA will take action too. For more information read the November 3rd KPBS Article.