Water Stewardship

Oregon Water Resources Department Launches 2027 Groundwater and Water Management Legislative Concepts

The Oregon Water Resources Department has initiated the 2027 legislative cycle with proposals to extend groundwater mitigation programs and establish new funding for voluntary water right retirements. Businesses with Oregon water permits should engage in upcoming work groups to influence long-term groundwater availability and the financial frameworks for water conservation.

9 Apr 2026, 14:18oregon.govUnited States

Pennsylvania HB2360 Proposes Grant-Only Funding and Stormwater Fee Preemption for MS4 and Chesapeake Bay Compliance

Pennsylvania introduced HB 2360 in April 2026, proposing to prohibit local stormwater fees and shift 100% of MS4 and Chesapeake Bay compliance costs to state-administered grants. If enacted, this would eliminate local funding mechanisms for water infrastructure, potentially stalling compliance projects and shifting the financial burden—and enforcement risk—entirely onto state-level budget availability.

9 Apr 2026, 14:17palegis.usUnited States

Delaware River Basin Commission Schedules Virtual Hearing and Business Meeting on Water Project Dockets and FY 2027–2029 Program

The Delaware River Basin Commission has scheduled a public hearing for May 6, 2026, to review project dockets for water withdrawals and discharges alongside its FY 2027–2029 Water Resources Program. Impacted businesses should evaluate draft dockets for potential operational constraints on water usage and discharge permits within the basin to ensure alignment with upcoming three-year regional water management strategies.

9 Apr 2026, 14:12public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Kansas Enacts HB 2433 Pre-Empting County Regulation of Water Transfers

Kansas has centralized authority over water transfers and appropriations at the state level, effective April 2, 2026, by pre-empting county-level regulatory powers. This move streamlines compliance for industrial and municipal water users by overriding conflicting local ordinances and eliminating redundant county-level permitting and fee requirements.

9 Apr 2026, 10:19sos.ks.govUnited States

CHS Promotes Public Participation For Segura Basin Hydrological Plan 2028–2033

Spain's Segura River Basin Authority has initiated public consultation on the 2028–2033 Hydrological Plan, focusing on critical water scarcity and quality issues through May 2026. Businesses in the region should anticipate stricter wastewater treatment and water reuse requirements driven by EU mandates, impacting operational costs and infrastructure planning.

9 Apr 2026, 09:53chsegura.esSpain

Texas TCEQ Adopts Edwards Aquifer ASR Injection and Class III Uranium PAA Amendments

Texas TCEQ adopted rules effective March 19, 2026, permitting specific aquifer storage wells to transect the Edwards Aquifer and streamlining uranium mining authorizations. Operators in the Edwards Aquifer region and in-situ uranium miners benefit from reduced procedural hurdles for permits, provided they meet strict groundwater conservation and location criteria.

6 Apr 2026, 18:48tceq.texas.govUnited States

California To Consider Returning Delta-Mendota Groundwater Subbasin to DWR Under SGMA

California regulators will decide on April 7, 2026, whether to end state intervention in the Delta-Mendota Subbasin following improvements to local groundwater sustainability plans. This shift from potential probation to local oversight signals a reduced immediate risk of state-mandated pumping restrictions but maintains long-term compliance pressure on groundwater users in the region.

6 Apr 2026, 16:45waterboards.ca.govUnited States

North Carolina Tightens Drought Response With Water-Use Reporting and Statewide Burn Ban

North Carolina has implemented a statewide open burning ban and mandatory water-use reporting in response to intensifying extreme drought conditions. Industrial facilities must immediately align site operations with local water-shortage response plans and fire prevention mandates to avoid penalties and operational disruption.

6 Apr 2026, 16:38content.govdelivery.comUnited States

Uzbekistan Cabinet Adopts Decision No. 111 on Rational Use of Irrigation Water and Prevention of Water Shortage

Uzbekistan has enacted Cabinet Decision No. 111, effective March 2026, mandating strict water-use limits and accelerating infrastructure upgrades to combat irrigation shortages. Businesses in the agricultural and water-management sectors must prepare for tighter withdrawal quotas, enhanced enforcement against wastage, and rapid project execution timelines.

5 Apr 2026, 19:39lex.uzUzbekistan

Welsh Government Launches Green Paper Consultation on Water Governance in Wales

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on fundamental water governance reforms, with feedback on the proposed sector "reset" due by April 2026. This signals a shift toward more stringent environmental permitting and resource management, requiring businesses to monitor emerging compliance and operational risks in Wales.

5 Apr 2026, 19:35gov.walesUnited Kingdom

Environment Agency Issues Environmental Destination Planning Guidance for Water Resources in England and Wales

The Environment Agency has released new planning guidance on 'Environmental Destination' to support long-term water resource management in England and Wales. Businesses should anticipate tighter water abstraction limits and more stringent environmental protection requirements as these objectives are integrated into regional and company-level water resource management plans.

5 Apr 2026, 19:32gov.ukUnited Kingdom

South Carolina Proposes Energy Affordability Act (H5484) For Utilities And Data Centres

South Carolina introduced the Energy Affordability Act (H5484) in April 2026, proposing strict new operational and financial requirements for large-scale data centers and utilities. Data center operators face imminent deadlines in May 2026 to secure tax exemptions, alongside new mandates for water reporting, decommissioning bonds, and long-term utility cost-recovery contracts.

5 Apr 2026, 18:52scstatehouse.govUnited States

Oregon Implements Water Rights Process And Permit Extension Reforms From 1 April 2026

Oregon is implementing comprehensive water-rights modernization reforms effective April 1, 2026, standardizing application processes and introducing stricter response deadlines. Businesses must update internal compliance workflows to meet new mandatory response windows and navigate revised permit extension limits to secure long-term water access.

4 Apr 2026, 11:53oregon.govUnited States

England Environment Agency Updates Environmental Permit And Abstraction Licence Charges

The Environment Agency has updated statutory charges for environmental permits and water abstraction licences in England, effective 1 April 2026. Businesses must account for inflationary increases in annual subsistence and application fees to ensure continued operational compliance and accurate budgeting.

4 Apr 2026, 11:03gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Oregon Governor Declares Drought Emergency in Baker, Deschutes and Umatilla Counties (Executive Order 26-05)

Oregon has declared a drought emergency in Baker, Deschutes, and Umatilla Counties through 2026. Impacted operations should anticipate water supply constraints and elevated wildfire risk while utilizing expedited state water-right processes for mitigation.

4 Apr 2026, 10:55drive.google.comUnited States

Netherlands RIVM Publishes Scenario Study on Climate Risks to Drinking-Water Supply in 2050 and 2100

The Dutch RIVM has released a long-term scenario study detailing significant climate-driven risks to the Netherlands' drinking water supply through 2100. Businesses should anticipate future regulatory pressure on water abstraction, potential supply constraints for new facilities, and rising costs associated with water-saving technical mandates.

3 Apr 2026, 17:56rivm.nlNetherlands

Taiwan MoENV Reports River Water Quality Gains And Highlights New PFAS Water Standards And Stricter Permits

Taiwan has implemented new surface water quality standards, including a 50 ng/L limit for combined PFOA and PFOS, alongside stricter wastewater permitting for industrial violators. Businesses must prepare for intensified PFAS monitoring and potential operational caps if compliance failures occur, signaling a shift toward more aggressive basin-level enforcement.

2 Apr 2026, 08:51enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

England: Environment Agency Clarifies Consent and Permit Rules for Water Supply Asset Discharges

The Environment Agency has clarified that discharge consent and risk assessment requirements apply to all water supply assets, effective March 2026. Water companies must ensure comprehensive permitting and documented risk assessments across their entire asset base to mitigate environmental and operational compliance risks.

1 Apr 2026, 14:41gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Kansas DWR Adopts Permanent Water Conservation Area And LEMA Regulations

Kansas has finalized permanent regulations for Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) and Local Enhanced Management Areas (LEMAs), effective April 10, 2026. Water-rights holders must align multi-year withdrawal strategies and conservation plans with new standardized allocation benchmarks and stricter oversight of water quality and usage.

1 Apr 2026, 14:25sos.ks.govUnited States

Missouri DNR Proposes Higher Well Installation Fees for Groundwater Protection Fund (10 CSR 23-2.010)

Missouri is advancing a proposal to increase maximum fees for well installation permits, certifications, and registrations to support groundwater protection. Impacted companies should budget for higher administrative costs and prepare for doubled penalties regarding late reporting for water and monitoring wells.

1 Apr 2026, 14:22sos.mo.govUnited States