The Stream, November 7: Ethiopia Makes a Mad Dash for Hydropower

The Global Rundown

Ethiopia is flexing its hydropower muscles, causing downstream disgruntlement for its neighbors to both the north and south. Another African country on a dam planning spree is Zimbabwe; more water storage is needed to cope with recent flood-and-drought rainfall cycles. Vietnam is looking at ways to save water when growing rice, one of its main crops, while Ireland is looking at ways to protect workers who install water meters. In Britain, research has shown that the average person only drinks one glass of pure water per day. Finally, a study published on Thursday asserts that better water and sanitation have the power to eradicate slums and urban poverty.

“Ethiopia designs all the dams in the country in a way that does not harm significantly the downstream countries. This is a principle. This principle by itself is very important. There is no need to give a guarantee.” —Alemayehu Tegenu, Ethiopian Water Minister, on damming the Upper Nile. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

20 meters Distance protesters must stay from workers installing water meters in Ireland. The Irish Times

25 percent Reduced water use associated with a new rice farming technique that the Vietnamese government is recommending. SciDev.Net

1 every 10 years The frequency with which major cities in Zimbabwe must build new dams to keep up with water demand. OOSKAnews

Science, Studies, And Reports

The international charity Water Aid published a study on Thursday which says that if governments were to invest in water and sanitation, they could completely eliminate urban poverty and slums in less than a generation. Reuters

In Britain, market research has shown that 6 in 10 Britons drink only one glass of pure water a day, opting for tea, coffee, or sugary drinks. The Telegraph

On The Radar

Ethiopia has two new hydropower dams planned on the Omo River, at the border with Kenya. Kenyan activists oppose the dams, fearing that they will affect those who live on downstream Lake Turkana. Worldbulletin News

Ethiopia is also continuing construction of the Renaissance Dam, which will be Africa’s largest, on the Upper Nile, much to the dismay of Egyptians who feel their main water source is threatened. Reuters