The Stream, April 3: Argentina is Cutting Utility Subsidies, Including Water

Water Governance
Argentina plans to cut subsidies for natural gas and water by 20 percent this year, The Wall Street Journal reported. The cuts, which exempt some industrial and residential users, are meant to save as much as $US 1.6 billion to fund utility costs and social programs.

A draft law in Spain could require local water providers to prove their sustainability and efficiency in order to keep selling to residents, Bloomberg News reported. The law has been called “pro-business” as it might allow more involvement from investor-owned water companies.

Water Supply and Drought
An ongoing drought in is creating a food security crisis in northwestern Kenya, where nongovernmental organizations say 300,000 people are being affected, the Guardian reported. The region’s rainy season is three weeks late and forecasts say the rains could be “subnormal”.

Drought is still plaguing Texas, and the state is seriously considering desalination plants on the Gulf of Mexico to augment water supplies, the Houston Chronicle reported. Desalinated water could cost between $US 3 and $US 6 per 3,785 liters (1,000 gallons), compared to $US 0.25 per 3,785 liters (1,000 gallons) that some areas pay for water now.

Climate Change
Wetter winters and drier summers are expected to reduce fresh water availability even on the coast of British Columbia, one of the wettest areas in North America, National Geographic reported. Through a six-part series, researcher Gleb Raygorodetsky is writing about his experiences learning how the First Nation Tla-o-qui-aht communities are adapting to the changes.

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.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek