water management

Winemakers are adopting new strategies to cope with climate change, as rising temperatures and extreme weather threaten harvests and grape quality. Reported approaches include experimenting with drought-resistant grape varieties, shifting vineyards to cooler elevations and latitudes, adjusting harvesting times, and using new vineyard water and soil management techniques. The story highlights how a traditionally tradition-bound industry is rethinking production methods to protect its future.

Oklahoma is facing scrutiny over the environmental impact of its large-scale marijuana industry, one of the most permissive medical cannabis markets in the United States. Concerns include water use, pesticide runoff and abandoned grow sites left by operators who exited the crowded market, prompting state officials and regulators to weigh how to manage the industry's ecological footprint.

A digital twin—a virtual model that simulates wastewater systems in real time—is being promoted as a way to use wastewater more efficiently. By mirroring treatment plants and distribution networks digitally, operators can test scenarios, optimise water reuse and reduce waste without disrupting real infrastructure, supporting more sustainable water management.

A proposal to withdraw additional water from the Quabbin Reservoir, a major drinking water source for western Massachusetts communities, is set for a public hearing. Critics are expected to push back, with local outlets framing the dispute as the next major fight over the reservoir's management and its ecological and recreational value.