Rachel Becker

Rachel Becker is an environment reporter for CalMatters, where she covers climate change and California's environmental policies.

Close up of a sprinkler spraying water with a dark green background in Southern California. September 2021
As California’s drought deepens, water use drops a meager 1.8%
Environment
by Rachel Becker
09.23.2021
Environment
Kelly O’Brien listens to her well hum as it fills with cool water after more than a month of living without water at her home on July 2, 2021. August 2021
California wells are running dry: “People are … going to lose access to drinking water.”
Environment
by Rachel Becker
08.19.2021
Environment
A water fountain for drinking while water is in mid-operation. July 2021
Forever chemicals: California unveils health goals for contaminated drinking water
Politics
by Rachel Becker
07.23.2021
Politics
A cow stands in the dry grass at Megan Brown’s Oroville ranch on April 22, 2021. Brown had to sell off much of her herd earlier this year when she realized there wouldn’t be enough grass to feed them. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters
Running out of water and time: How unprepared is California for 2021’s drought?
Environment
by Julie Cart + Rachel Becker
05.24.2021
Environment
Microplastics collected in the San Francisco Bay Area are identified and labeled for research in a lab headed by Chelsea Rochman, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. California is about to set the world's first guidelines for microplastics in drinking water.
Premature or precautionary? California is first to tackle microplastics in drinking water.
Environment
by Rachel Becker
03.16.2021
Environment
Homes destroyed by the LNU Lighting Complex Fire are interspersed with untouched homes above Lake Berryessa, a resort area and water supply reservoir, on Sept. 21, 2020. After the fire in August, residents were advised not to drink or boil the tap water because of concerns about benzene and other contaminants. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters. November 2020
Unsafe to drink: Wildfires threaten rural towns with tainted water
Health
by Rachel Becker
11.24.2020
Health