Water Management
Climate change will likely make rainfall more erratic and will necessitate new water management solutions in the Volta River Basin of West Africa, according to a new study from the International Water Management Institute, AlertNet reported. Important goals for water management in the basin include building and improving irrigation capacity, as well as improving cooperation between countries, the report found.
Floods
Heavy rains have been widespread over China during the past few days, causing floods in Yunnan and Jilin provinces and hindering earthquake relief efforts in Gansu province, Xinhua reported. More rain is expected this week.
Water Contamination
Contaminated water from Japan’s damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is likely seeping into the sea via underground water systems, the Associated Press reported. The new announcement contradicts earlier assertions by TEPCO, the plant’s operator, that contaminated water did not reach the ocean.
Agriculture
The United States is set to harvest a record corn crop this year as favorable weather continues in the Midwest, Bloomberg News reported. The expected rebound in supplies is putting downward pressure on corn prices, which shot up to record highs during last year’s drought.
The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.