Rachel Becker

Contaminants known as “forever chemicals” have been discovered in San Francisco Bay fish at levels that could pose a health threat to people who eat fish caught there, according to new research published today. Loren Elliot photo.

San Francisco Bay fish contaminated with ‘forever chemicals;’ could harm anglers

May 22, 2025 at 6:11 a.m.

Contaminants known as “forever chemicals” have been discovered in San Francisco Bay fish at levels that could pose a health threat to people who eat fish caught there, according to...

Sherry Hunter pours a cup of bottled water she uses to brush her teeth in her home in Allensworth on Sept.4, 2024. The San Joaquin Valley community of about 500 people has been dealing with arsenic contamination of its public wells, one of which regularly exceeds state health limits. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

‘I won’t let them drink the water’: The California towns where clean drinking water is out of reach

September 11, 2024 at 6:33 a.m.

In a major milestone, state regulators announced in July that nearly a million more Californians now have safe drinking water than five years ago. But across the state, the problem remains severe:...

The nationwide cost to treat or replace contaminated drinking water could reach billions of dollars a year. The ubiquitous chemicals, linked to cancer and other diseases, build up in people and the environment. (Calmatters)

Drinking water of almost a million Californians failed state requirements

June 28, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

Almost 400 water systems serving nearly a million Californians don’t meet state requirements for safe and reliable drinking water supplies — and fixing them would cost billions of dollars.

Giant freshwater fish – North America’s largest- gains state protection

June 26, 2024 at 6:03 a.m.

Killed by algae blooms and dwindling from dams and droughts, the largest freshwater fish in North America is at risk in California.

‘Forever chemicals’: Water supplies throughout California will exceed new national limits

April 10, 2024 at 12:41 p.m.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today unveiled the first nationwide limits on dangerous “forever chemicals” in drinking water, setting standards that will have sweeping, costly effects throughout California.

Capitol Corner: Are farms using water efficiently?

March 26, 2024 at 4:26 p.m.

New research finds that California could save massive amounts of water if its farmers switched to less thirsty crops — a scenario that’s not likely to happen soon, writes CalMatters...

Chinook Salmon swimming along the Scott River on Oct. 30, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

‘Simply catastrophic’: California salmon season to be restricted or shut down — again

March 12, 2024 at 12:29 p.m.

California’s fishing industry is bracing for another bad year as federal managers today announced plans to heavily restrict or prohibit salmon fishing again, after cancelling the entire season last year.

Freshly caught salmon from the San Francisco Bay Area on Aug. 22, 2017. Photo courtesy of Andrew Bland

Saving salmon: Newsom unveils blueprint for ending decades-long decline

February 2, 2024 at 6:39 a.m.

With salmon populations throughout California declining for decades and facing the threat of extinction, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday unveiled a state strategy aimed at protecting and restoring the iconic species “amidst hotter...

(File photo) Cannabis plants in California.

Cannabis grower to pay $750,000 for violating state water, wildlife regulations

February 2, 2024 at 12:51 p.m.

A Humboldt County cannabis grower has agreed to pay $750,000, remove unpermitted ponds and restore streams and wetlands after state officials accused him of violating regulations protecting water supplies, wildlife and...

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