Water-quality protection measures were among the 46 conservation-related measures passed by local and state voters around the country yesterday. The Trust for Public Land summarized prominent results, WaterWorld reported.
The city of San Francisco will not have to create a plan to destroy the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir’s dam. More than 77 percent of voters overturned the measure, The Los Angeles Times reported, which California government officials called ‘stupid,’ ‘insane,’ and non-sensical.
Voters in Rhode Island approved $20 million in bonds for wastewater and drinking water improvement projects. Those funds will be matched by federal dollars, the Associated Press reported.
Transboundary Water Rights
India and Bangladesh are nearing an agreement on water-use rights for the Teesta River, which flows between the two countries. Previously the state government of West Bengal rejected the agreement, the Hindustan Times reported, because India faced lower water volumes, but a temporary agreement will tie the two parties over until a permanent settlement is signed.
Water-Energy Choke Points in Oil and Gas
Oil and gas drilling companies are steadily moving toward wide incorporation of water-recycling technologies. As the technology becomes cheaper and drought magnifies water-supply concerns, Bloomberg reported, water recycling will play a greater role in oil and gas production.
Superstorm Sandy
With water-related challenges facing many New Jersey residents after Superstorm Sandy, the Star-Ledger shared water-related survival tips including boiling water and avoiding home filtration devices — which will not sufficiently clean polluted water.
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