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Topic: Water
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Resource Database / Guide

Report on PFAS Better, With a Better Mapping Tool

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

"If drinking water safety is on your beat, then keeping track of seesawing regulations around PFAS is a challenge. But as Reporter’s Toolbox writes, a powerful government data mapping tool can help you at least locate nearby PFAS facilities at a glance. What it does well and where it sources its underlying data, plus some suggestions on using it for your reporting."
Resource Database / Guide

Report on PFAS Better, With a Better Mapping Tool

Summary:
"If drinking water safety is on your beat, then keeping track of seesawing regulations around PFAS is a challenge. But as Reporter’s Toolbox writes, a powerful government data mapping tool can help you at least locate nearby PFAS facilities at a glance. What it does well and where it sources its underlying data, plus some suggestions on using it for your reporting."
Organization:

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

Author:

Joseph A. Davis

Published By:

SEJournal

Date:

April 8, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

AI’s Unquenchable Thirst for Water

"Beyond its staggering electricity demands, AI requires water — and a lot of it. A single data center can consume over 300,000 gallons a day — equivalent to the water used in a thousand homes — to cool the computers powering your chat prompts. As climate change worsens water scarcity through rising temperatures and disruptions to precipitation patterns, AI threatens to further drain water from the areas that need it most; over two-thirds of data centers built since 2022 are in water-stressed regions. As big tech continues its plan to build as many data centers as possible, Covering Climate Now hosted a one-hour discussion where we highlighted the reasons for AI’s ever-growing thirst, explored how to cover the local concerns of communities facing water shortages, and investigated potential solutions to safeguard this increasingly scarce resource."
Video

AI’s Unquenchable Thirst for Water

Summary:
"Beyond its staggering electricity demands, AI requires water — and a lot of it. A single data center can consume over 300,000 gallons a day — equivalent to the water used in a thousand homes — to cool the computers powering your chat prompts. As climate change worsens water scarcity through rising temperatures and disruptions to precipitation patterns, AI threatens to further drain water from the areas that need it most; over two-thirds of data centers built since 2022 are in water-stressed regions. As big tech continues its plan to build as many data centers as possible, Covering Climate Now hosted a one-hour discussion where we highlighted the reasons for AI’s ever-growing thirst, explored how to cover the local concerns of communities facing water shortages, and investigated potential solutions to safeguard this increasingly scarce resource."
Published By:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

March 3, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Fellowships & Grants

Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Fund

"The Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Fund (ISF) supports educational and engagement initiatives in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia related to issues highlighted in Pulitzer Center-supported journalism, addressing the most critical challenges confronting our planet's ecosystems and communities. The 2026 ISF focuses on ocean, transparency and governance, and climate change, rainforests, and its interconnection with workers and vulnerable communities. Grants range from USD $2,500 to $4,000, varying by region." Deadlines:
  • Africa and Latin America: April 19, 2026
  • Southeast Asia: May 3, 2026
 
Fellowships & Grants

Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Fund

Summary:
"The Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Fund (ISF) supports educational and engagement initiatives in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia related to issues highlighted in Pulitzer Center-supported journalism, addressing the most critical challenges confronting our planet's ecosystems and communities. The 2026 ISF focuses on ocean, transparency and governance, and climate change, rainforests, and its interconnection with workers and vulnerable communities. Grants range from USD $2,500 to $4,000, varying by region." Deadlines:
  • Africa and Latin America: April 19, 2026
  • Southeast Asia: May 3, 2026
 
Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Database of Flood Events Helps Cover Catastrophes, Past or Present

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

"A massive trove of mappable water data from the U.S. Geological Survey offers reporters resources to cover present-day flooding threats, compare them to past flood events or help prepare reporting for tomorrow’s disasters. According to the latest Reporter’s Toolbox, its various tools let you pinpoint immediate flooding, map future flood hazards and even configure phone alerts for breaking events."
Resource Database / Guide

Database of Flood Events Helps Cover Catastrophes, Past or Present

Summary:
"A massive trove of mappable water data from the U.S. Geological Survey offers reporters resources to cover present-day flooding threats, compare them to past flood events or help prepare reporting for tomorrow’s disasters. According to the latest Reporter’s Toolbox, its various tools let you pinpoint immediate flooding, map future flood hazards and even configure phone alerts for breaking events."
Organization:

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

Author:

Joseph A. Davis

Published By:

SEJournal

Date:

November 12, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

Media Briefing: Local Implications of Data Center Growth

"Data center development is rapidly accelerating across the United States. At SciLine’s briefing, jointly hosted with AAAS’ EPI Center, scientists briefed both reporters and public officials on national trends and local implications of data center growth. The briefing covered data center basics, why and at what rate their growth is accelerating, and how related increases in electricity demand, cooling needs, and backup generation are affecting local power grids, water resources, and air quality. This virtual briefing featured short conversations with three experts, followed by a moderated Q&A, all on the record."
Video

Media Briefing: Local Implications of Data Center Growth

Summary:
"Data center development is rapidly accelerating across the United States. At SciLine’s briefing, jointly hosted with AAAS’ EPI Center, scientists briefed both reporters and public officials on national trends and local implications of data center growth. The briefing covered data center basics, why and at what rate their growth is accelerating, and how related increases in electricity demand, cooling needs, and backup generation are affecting local power grids, water resources, and air quality. This virtual briefing featured short conversations with three experts, followed by a moderated Q&A, all on the record."
Published By:

SciLine

Date:

February 25, 2026

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Drinking Water Database Opens Spigot on Local Stories

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

"Drinking water may be ubiquitous in the United States, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe. To report the answer in your community, the latest Reporter’s Toolbox suggests exploring the Safe Drinking Water Information System, a federal government database mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Here’s how to use it to identify whether your local systems meet its standards."
Resource Database / Guide

Drinking Water Database Opens Spigot on Local Stories

Summary:
"Drinking water may be ubiquitous in the United States, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe. To report the answer in your community, the latest Reporter’s Toolbox suggests exploring the Safe Drinking Water Information System, a federal government database mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Here’s how to use it to identify whether your local systems meet its standards."
Organization:

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

Published By:

SEJournal

Date:

October 22, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Fellowships & Grants

MBARI Science Communication Fellowship

"Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. This two-year position plays a critical role within MBARI’s Science Communication (SciComm) Team. The SciComm Fellow will make extensive contributions to content creation as part of the Social Media and Video Production teams. The incumbent will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s (MBA) video and content teams. MBARI invites early-career professionals in science communication and multimedia storytelling to apply for our unique fellowship, which emphasizes projects that support MBARI’s mission to advance marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. This communication fellowship offers a rare opportunity to report on advancements in ocean science, technology, and conservation, while gaining hands-on experience through collaborative work with MBARI scientists, engineers, and communicators." Deadline: Feb. 10, 2026.
Fellowships & Grants

MBARI Science Communication Fellowship

Summary:
"Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. This two-year position plays a critical role within MBARI’s Science Communication (SciComm) Team. The SciComm Fellow will make extensive contributions to content creation as part of the Social Media and Video Production teams. The incumbent will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s (MBA) video and content teams. MBARI invites early-career professionals in science communication and multimedia storytelling to apply for our unique fellowship, which emphasizes projects that support MBARI’s mission to advance marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. This communication fellowship offers a rare opportunity to report on advancements in ocean science, technology, and conservation, while gaining hands-on experience through collaborative work with MBARI scientists, engineers, and communicators." Deadline: Feb. 10, 2026.
Category:
For:
VISIT
Workshop

Big Data, Great Lakes: A Journalism Workshop Exploring Data Centers in Southeastern Wisconsin

Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR)

"The United States currently has the largest data center footprint in the world and there are no signs development will slow down. The Great Lakes region is home to nearly 20 percent of U.S. data centers and hundreds more are being planned or under construction. While the tech industry races to keep up with the computing demands of things like artificial intelligence (AI), streaming and cloud storage, local communities struggle to balance environmental and energy concerns with the potential economic boost of what some are calling an 'AI gold rush.' This March 15-18, the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources will conduct an expenses-paid workshop that will get journalists up to speed on this emerging issue. Participants will go out in the field to meet the people shaping the data center discourse in the Great Lakes. Set in and around Milwaukee, the workshop will explore what data center development may mean for states and communities in this water-rich region. Participants will speak with local municipal leaders, tech industry representatives, state regulators, environmental groups and more as they learn about new developments for companies like Meta and Microsoft, construction moratoriums, the increasing demand for energy, growing water concerns and future projections for a 'freshwater economy.'" Apply by Feb. 6.
Workshop

Big Data, Great Lakes: A Journalism Workshop Exploring Data Centers in Southeastern Wisconsin

Summary:
"The United States currently has the largest data center footprint in the world and there are no signs development will slow down. The Great Lakes region is home to nearly 20 percent of U.S. data centers and hundreds more are being planned or under construction. While the tech industry races to keep up with the computing demands of things like artificial intelligence (AI), streaming and cloud storage, local communities struggle to balance environmental and energy concerns with the potential economic boost of what some are calling an 'AI gold rush.' This March 15-18, the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources will conduct an expenses-paid workshop that will get journalists up to speed on this emerging issue. Participants will go out in the field to meet the people shaping the data center discourse in the Great Lakes. Set in and around Milwaukee, the workshop will explore what data center development may mean for states and communities in this water-rich region. Participants will speak with local municipal leaders, tech industry representatives, state regulators, environmental groups and more as they learn about new developments for companies like Meta and Microsoft, construction moratoriums, the increasing demand for energy, growing water concerns and future projections for a 'freshwater economy.'" Apply by Feb. 6.
Organization:

Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR)

Dates:

Category:
For:
VISIT
Journalism program

The Water Desk

"Based in Boulder at the University of Colorado and its Center for Environmental Journalism, The Water Desk works with journalists and news media to strengthen their water-related coverage and expand its impact. This collaborative enterprise also produces original content, helps train the next generation of water journalists, engages with the community and pursues innovative approaches to storytelling. The Water Desk strengthens water journalism in a variety of ways, including:
  • Support for journalists: Through our network, The Water Desk provides funding, training and other resources to journalists and media outlets that cover Western water issues.
  • Original content: The Water Desk produces its own journalism and offers free multimedia content, data visualizations and background resources.
  • Education and community engagement: The Water Desk works with CU students and others beyond the campus to advance learning and to engage the community on Western water issues."
Journalism program

The Water Desk

Summary:
"Based in Boulder at the University of Colorado and its Center for Environmental Journalism, The Water Desk works with journalists and news media to strengthen their water-related coverage and expand its impact. This collaborative enterprise also produces original content, helps train the next generation of water journalists, engages with the community and pursues innovative approaches to storytelling. The Water Desk strengthens water journalism in a variety of ways, including:
  • Support for journalists: Through our network, The Water Desk provides funding, training and other resources to journalists and media outlets that cover Western water issues.
  • Original content: The Water Desk produces its own journalism and offers free multimedia content, data visualizations and background resources.
  • Education and community engagement: The Water Desk works with CU students and others beyond the campus to advance learning and to engage the community on Western water issues."
Category:
For:
VISIT
Fellowships & Grants

Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy (MONA)

"The Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy (MONA) is a fellowship program for journalists created by Ocean Nexus and Metcalf Institute, in collaboration with the Uproot Project. This exciting partnership seeks to advance transformative changes at the intersection of ocean governance, social justice, and equity. Participating journalists, working closely with Ocean Nexus scientists, aim to deepen their understanding of how our relationship with the ocean is intertwined with systemic inequities, particularly within historically marginalized communities, across the globe. The 2026 MONA workshop will be conducted in person at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI. on May 4-6, 2026 with a prior virtual matching session with Ocean Nexus scientists. The MONA fellowship is designed for US-based, mid-career journalists from diverse backgrounds. Applicants must be a member of the Uproot Project or one of its collaborating partners. Fellows will receive a $5000 stipend and travel, lodging and meals to the two-day workshop." Deadline is Jan. 9, 2026 extended to Feb. 8.
Fellowships & Grants

Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy (MONA)

Summary:
"The Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy (MONA) is a fellowship program for journalists created by Ocean Nexus and Metcalf Institute, in collaboration with the Uproot Project. This exciting partnership seeks to advance transformative changes at the intersection of ocean governance, social justice, and equity. Participating journalists, working closely with Ocean Nexus scientists, aim to deepen their understanding of how our relationship with the ocean is intertwined with systemic inequities, particularly within historically marginalized communities, across the globe. The 2026 MONA workshop will be conducted in person at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI. on May 4-6, 2026 with a prior virtual matching session with Ocean Nexus scientists. The MONA fellowship is designed for US-based, mid-career journalists from diverse backgrounds. Applicants must be a member of the Uproot Project or one of its collaborating partners. Fellows will receive a $5000 stipend and travel, lodging and meals to the two-day workshop." Deadline is Jan. 9, 2026 extended to Feb. 8.
Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

How To Cover Coral Reefs

"Coral reef ecosystems cover only 0.2% of the ocean floor but support 25% of all marine life. Globally, nearly one billion people rely on them for food and livelihoods. Reefs also provide a vital buffer against waves and coastal storms. However, threats such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing pose an existential threat to them. Journalism can play a role in highlighting the threats coral reefs face, the communities that rely on them, and the benefits reefs provide to the world as a whole. This edition of Mongabay’s webinar series dives into the wide world of coral reefs, how journalists can better cover them, the people who depend on them, and solutions to protect them."
Video

How To Cover Coral Reefs

Summary:
"Coral reef ecosystems cover only 0.2% of the ocean floor but support 25% of all marine life. Globally, nearly one billion people rely on them for food and livelihoods. Reefs also provide a vital buffer against waves and coastal storms. However, threats such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing pose an existential threat to them. Journalism can play a role in highlighting the threats coral reefs face, the communities that rely on them, and the benefits reefs provide to the world as a whole. This edition of Mongabay’s webinar series dives into the wide world of coral reefs, how journalists can better cover them, the people who depend on them, and solutions to protect them."
Published By:

Mongabay

Date:

May 1, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

Video: How To OSINT the Ocean

"From tracking illegal fishing and ship movements to uncovering pollution and port activity, in a hands-on webinar, journalists learned how to harness publicly available data to shine a light on maritime activities that often escape scrutiny." Speakers:
  • Bjorn Bergman, project manager at SkyTruth
  • Delger Erdenesanaa, journalist and ORN fellow
  • Saroj Pathirana, journalist and ORN fellow
 
Video

Video: How To OSINT the Ocean

Summary:
"From tracking illegal fishing and ship movements to uncovering pollution and port activity, in a hands-on webinar, journalists learned how to harness publicly available data to shine a light on maritime activities that often escape scrutiny." Speakers:
  • Bjorn Bergman, project manager at SkyTruth
  • Delger Erdenesanaa, journalist and ORN fellow
  • Saroj Pathirana, journalist and ORN fellow
 
Published By:

Pulitzer Center

Date:

September 9, 2025

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water: An Explainer and Research Roundup

"We summarize studies on where PFAS are found, health impacts, the efficacy of consumer water filters, new methods of destroying PFAS, and racial disparities in PFAS exposure. Journalists would do well to educate themselves on PFAS because the issue now touches almost every beat: business, consumer, environment, health, infrastructure, legal and local municipalities that include water utilities. That’s why we created this explainer and research roundup. (For more on covering PFAS, see our related tip sheet, which includes a list of data resources.)"
Article

PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water: An Explainer and Research Roundup

Summary:
"We summarize studies on where PFAS are found, health impacts, the efficacy of consumer water filters, new methods of destroying PFAS, and racial disparities in PFAS exposure. Journalists would do well to educate themselves on PFAS because the issue now touches almost every beat: business, consumer, environment, health, infrastructure, legal and local municipalities that include water utilities. That’s why we created this explainer and research roundup. (For more on covering PFAS, see our related tip sheet, which includes a list of data resources.)"
Author:

Rachel Layne

Published By:

The Journalist’s Resource

Date:

August 9, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT