The Stream, October 19: Bangalore Faces Major Water Shortages, Report Warns

The Global Rundown

Current water systems in Bangalore will not be sufficient to supply the city by 2021, according to a new report. A drought in Papua New Guinea shut down another mine, while a drought in Mexico drastically reduced water levels in a reservoir and revealed a 16th-century church. A typhoon in the Philippines flooded important farm regions on the island of Luzon. Canada heads to the polls today for federal elections that have implications for tar sands development. Scientists in the western United States are mapping cold water streams to save fish.

“Canada has to remind themselves of who they are. I believe that all Canadians should vote, and vote properly – vote for your future, not just for words.” –Chief Na’Moks, a First Nations leader, on federal elections being held in Canada today. One of the major issues will be energy development, including the Northern Gateway tar sands oil pipeline that has been opposed by a coalition of First Nations and environmental groups. (Guardian)

By The Numbers

60,000 people Number displaced by Typhoon Koppu in the Philippines. The storm flooded farming regions on the island of Luzon. Guardian

25 meters Drop in water levels at Mexico’s Nezahualcoyotl reservoir due to a drought, revealing a 16th-century church. Associated Press

Science, Studies, And Reports

The city of Bangalore could have a water deficit of 1 billion liters per day by 2021, according to a report by the citizen group Bangalore Political Action Committee . To boost water supplies, the report recommends that the city reduce the amount of water lost due to leaky pipes and explore ways to recycle water, harvest rainwater, and improve local lakes. The Hindu

Streams in the western United States have warmed by approximately one degree over the past 30 years, according to scientists. To conserve cold-water fish species as the region warms, researchers are mapping the coldest areas of streams in the hopes that they could serve as refuges for native fish populations. Associated Press

On The Radar

Global mining company Barrick Gold said it will temporarily stop operations at its Porgera gold mine in Papua New Guinea due to water shortages. The drought has also closed the country’s Ok Tedi copper mine. Reuters

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