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Bulk Water Exports
As global freshwater resources become more scarce, many options are on the table to reduce demand and increase supplies. While conservation, desalination, and pipeline diversion schemes are well-known potential solutions, an emerging possibility is bulk water export: shipping water in 80-million-gallon tankers, typically designed for oil. Bulk water shipments have been discussed for decades, but large-volume shipments have never been successful. Proposed deals have been blocked by logistics and cheaper local sources, as well as concerns for the sovereignty and commodification of natural resources.
But interest in bulk water may see new life. Sitka, Alaska — a small town along the southeastern coast of the state — has tried to cash in on its abundant water resources. One company's persistent attempts to ship Sitka's fresh water to India and the Middle East has run into turbulence and economic realities. The Sitka proposal and similar stories around the world belie the challenges and the alluring promise of transporting and selling the world's "blue gold."
Feature Stories
True Alaska Bottling sends a notice of dissolution to S2C Global, which rejects the disbanding of their joint bulk water export company.
‘Water has to come to the people,’ president of S2C Global tells Circle of Blue.
Many companies have previously failed at bulk water shipments.
Within six to eight months, S2C Global Systems will ship water from Alaska to a hub in India.
While bulk water sales haven’t been completed, three new applications show interest is still strong.
Water shipped in large tankers designed for oil as a supply solution to the global freshwater crisis?
Bulk water sales have succeeded and been banned around the world.
After a decade of unsuccessful attempts to sell bulk water, Sitka hopes to sell 50 million gallons by 2011.
Multi-Media
Sitka, Alaska to send millions of gallons of water to India, which will then be distributed in the Middle East.
Bulk water has been attempted and banned around the world. Visualize the last decade of attempts in Sitka.
Related Stories
Singapore is first to bottle and sell wastewater for drinking.
The breach of contract will most likely result in a deadline extension, Sitka city officials say.
Groundwater depletion doubled between 1960 and 2000.
The Fraser Institute, a right-leaning Canadian think tank, wants a shift in government water policy.
Infrastructure to succeed Malaysia import agreement, expiring in 2011.
A non-partisan think tank says Quebec should export one-tenth of water resources to gain $6.5 billion annually.
A tanker carrying water from Greece arrived two weeks ago, but lack of infrastructure prevented offloading.
Cyprus waits for 40,000 cubic meters of water from Greece.
Expert gives opinion on the international agreement intended to protect.
Catalonia plans to ship in 438 million gallons of water via six monthly ships to offset the worst drought in 70 years.
Resources
- Alaska Water Exports-Ric Davidge Research Paper on Bulk Water Exports
- Fraser Institute, Diane Katz: Making Waves: Examining the case for sustainable water exports from Canada June 2010 Report
- Government of Canada, David Johansen: Bulk Water Removals,Water Exports and the NAFTA 2001 Report
- Greenland Ice and Water for Export: Product Catalogue, Bulk Water Greenland’s bulk water catalogue
- Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education: Exporting Water to the World
- Montreal Economic Institute: Freshwater Exports for the Development of Quebec's Blue Gold 2008 Research Paper on bulk water export
- North Coast Journal- Jim Rossi 2003 story on bulk water shipments from California
- Polaris Institute- Canadian Bulk Water
- S2C Global System Inc. 2009 SEC filing
- Sawmill Cove Industrial Park: Sitka Bulk Water Sale
- The Council of Canadians: Bulk Water Exports
- The Status of Alaska Water Export Laws and Water Transfers-Christopher C. Estes 2001 Paper on the Status of Alaskan Water Export Law
- True Alaska Bottling Company Alaska Water Project
