By Miriam Raftery

Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture

June 12, 2015 (Sacramento) – Ever since California established its water rights system back in 1914, senior water rights holders with claims before 1914 have been able to freely use as much water as they could pump.  But for the first time ever, the State Water Resources Control Board has ordered curtailment of water use by 114 of the state’s oldest water rights holders, including farmers, rural and urban water districts in the Sacramento delta as well as the Sacramento and San Joaquin river watersheds.

Fire stations, schools, and public waterways among those targeted by thieves

By Miriam Raftery

November 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Water rustling is on the rise across California amid the worst drought ever recorded.  A thriving black market for purloined water has arisen, leaving authorities scrambling to catch thieves and lawmakers looking to stiffen penalties for stealing water.