Groundwater Recharge Focus of $1 Million EPA Research Initiative
Grant to Fund Research on Impact of Drought on Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting $1 million to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) to conduct research on the effects of drought and extreme weather on the state’s water resources, including aquifers. The study will examine the conditions that contribute to the current drought, looking at the effect decreased water supply and unpredictable water quality have on agriculture, the environment, and the hydropower sector in both urban and rural settings.
“We’re already seeing the harmful effects of droughts and extreme weather on the environment and economy," says Jared Blumenfeld, the EPA’s regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "Our goal in investing in this research is to gain innovative solutions that reduce the risks associated with inadequate drought preparedness.”