Property owners in a west Santa Rosa, Calif., neighborhood whose wells were contaminated by a chemical spill have inundated local government agencies with claims of damages that collectively exceed $500 million.
The Mexican environment minister has admitted that the nation's water problems are more serious than thought, with grave problems of desertification and pollution.
The Sacramento River and its tributaries have been deemed healthy for drinking and irrigation, despite high levels of the insecticide diazinon and seasonally high concentrations of mercury at locations throughout the watershed.