Water Stories to Watch in 2025

As we navigate 2025, the challenges surrounding water access and quality have intensified. From climate-driven disasters to ambitious infrastructure projects and new legislation, water remains at the forefront of environmental and public health discussions—especially in California.

Globally, over 2.3 billion people face water stress, a number that continues to rise. In California, the situation is particularly acute. Despite the official end of the drought emergency in Los Angeles County in late 2024, the region continues to grapple with water scarcity and quality issues. Environment, Land & Resources

While the drought emergency has been lifted, Los Angeles still faces long-term water supply challenges. The city has embarked on a $740 million water recycling project in the San Fernando Valley, aiming to purify wastewater into drinking water for approximately 250,000 residents. However, the project’s completion is projected for 2056, raising concerns about its timeliness in addressing current water needs.

Wildfires have exacerbated water pollution issues. In early 2025, several utilities, including Pasadena Water and Power, issued “Do Not Drink” advisories due to potential contamination from toxic chemicals entering the water supply through damaged infrastructure. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of water systems to environmental disasters. 

Heavy rains following the January wildfires led to mudslides in burn areas, forcing evacuations in regions like the Palisades and Sunset. These events underscore the interconnectedness of climate events and their compounded impact on communities.

In response to ongoing water challenges, California has implemented new conservation regulations effective January 1, 2025. These rules mandate urban water suppliers to meet individualized water budgets that decrease over time, promoting long-term conservation efforts.

Additionally, Senate Bill 601 aims to restore protections for California’s wetlands and streams by requiring permits for pollution discharges, reinforcing the state’s commitment to safeguarding its water resources.

At Culligan, we recognize the critical importance of clean, safe water—especially in times of crisis. Our local teams deliver tailored solutions—from whole-house filtration to bottle-less dispensers—to meet your needs. If recent water issues or natural disasters have impacted your home, we’re ready to help you restore access to high-quality water.

As we get settled in the new year, we face a lot of new challenges now than we did just a year ago. Rising inflation, world health, and natural crises are just a few of the challenges we face on a global scale. We are affected by these issues somewhat equally from country to country, and our world water news is nothing different. About 2.3 billion people in the world face water stress, and that number is only increasing.

As we continue to try to make more environmentally friendly choices compared to those made by generations before us, there are more challenges that pile up in front of us as well. Our fresh water is a shared resource that nobody owns. Three percent of the earth’s water is fresh and drinkable. Two-and-a-half percent of it is inaccessible – either locked up in glaciers, polar ice caps, atmosphere, or soil. We’re left with about half a percent of the earth’s water to share. As we move forward through the new year, we should be aware of the challenges our water faces.