The Stream, September 28: United States Drinking Water Funds Not Being Spent

The Global Rundown

A large sum of federal money aimed at improving drinking water systems in the United States has not been spent. The United Nations adopted a new set of global goals to improve human and environmental well-being. The United Kingdom said it will pledge billions to help developing countries address climate change. Floods destroyed rice crops in Nigeria, while electricity shortages damaged wheat harvests in Zambia. Water experts in Kenya decried a dearth of groundwater data, and investors bet on groundwater to make a profit in California.

“The great danger is that the breadth of the targets becomes an excuse for not fulfilling the targets.”–David Miliband, president and chief executive officer of the aid organization International Rescue Committee, on the challenge facing global leaders after the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals over the weekend. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

$1.1 billion Amount allocated to the U.S. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that had not been spent as of August 1. The fund is a federal program used to help communities improve drinking water systems. Associated Press

11 percent Estimated drop in wheat production in Zambia due to electricity shortages that cut off irrigation supplies. Bloomberg

626,250 metric tons Amount of rice destroyed by floods in Nigeria, equivalent to the amount consumed in the country in 1 1/2 months. Bloomberg

$8.8 billion Amount to be pledged by the United Kingdom to address climate change in developing countries over the next five years. Guardian

Science, Studies, And Reports

A lack of accurate and reliable groundwater data is inhibiting proper water management and increasing the cost of well drilling projects in Kenya, according to industry experts. The data currently available are disparate and not readily available to water managers and well drillers. Reuters

On The Radar

Investors are betting on groundwater in the Mojave Desert to someday become a profitable export to dry, highly populated areas in Southern California. So far, however, millions of dollars have gone into the project with little to show. The New York Times

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