The Stream, February 17: Sao Paulo Water Crisis May Require Residents to Leave

The Global Rundown

Brazil’s largest city is in dire condition as water supplies drop, so much so that some officials say residents may be warned to leave. Crude oil spilled from a derailed train into a river in West Virginia, and international inspectors urged Japan to release water from the Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean. Jordan is fighting illegal water connections, while Los Angeles plans to spend billions to replace old water pipes. Efforts to protect Atlantic sturgeon fish in the United States are slowly showing positive results.

“We’re witnessing an unprecedented water crisis in one of the world’s great industrial cities. Because of environmental degradation and political cowardice, millions of people in São Paulo are now wondering when the water will run out.”–Marussia Whately, water specialist at Instituto Socioambiental, on the severe drought plaguing Brazil’s largest city. In a leaked recording, a top city water official said residents may eventually be warned to leave. (The New York Times)

By The Numbers

25 train cars Number that derailed in southern West Virginia yesterday, setting off explosions. The train was carrying crude oil, which spilled into the Kanawha River and prompted nearby water plants to shut their intakes. The Charleston Gazette

$1 billion Estimated price tag for replacing one-fifth of the aging water pipes in Los Angeles that were built before 1931. The Los Angeles Times

408 illegal fixtures Number removed in January from water pipes by official in Jordan, where the government is trying to crack down on water theft. Jordan Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

Operators at Japan’s damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant should seriously consider regulated releases of contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean after the water has been treated, according to the latest review by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Currently, more than 600,000 cubic meters of contaminated water is being stored at the Fukushima site. The Los Angeles Times

On The Radar

After decades suffering from overfishing, pollution, and harmful shipping disturbances, endangered and threatened populations of Atlantic sturgeon are showing signs of a slow recovery in places like the Delaware River. Yale Environment 360

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