The Stream, March 10: London At Risk Of Future Water Shortages

The Global Rundown

A growing population could create significant water shortages in London by 2040. Development in Kolkata threatens the wetlands that provide the city with food, flood protection, and wastewater cleaning services. Saltwater intrusion and poor access to clean water are inhibiting women’s rights in Bangladesh. Millions of people in the United States could be at risk from unsafe levels of lead in private water wells, while drinking water fountains at 30 schools were shut down in New Jersey because of high lead content. Drought-hit farmers in Zimbabwe are experimenting with maggot harvesting to feed their chickens. Paris began a two-week flood simulation exercise.

“To secure the women rights it is the high time to secure the water rights in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. It is very urgent to pay attention to how women’s rights are restricted due to water problems. Without paying attention to that, no forward progress is possible.” –Chandrika Banarjee, director of the Nakshikantha Women’s Upliftment Organisation in Bangladesh, in a Q&A about how saltwater intrusion and lack of access to clean water impedes women’s rights. (The Third Pole)

By The Numbers

9 million people Number of U.S. residents who could potentially have unsafe levels of lead in their private drinking water wells. Reuters

30 schools Number in New Jersey where drinking water fountains were shut off Wednesday due to the discovery of high lead levels. Reuters

190 kilograms Amount of dried larvae created in three days from just one kilogram of fly eggs. Farmers in Zimbabwe are harvesting the maggots to use as chicken feed amid a severe drought, and researchers think they could be grown at wastewater treatment plants. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

Water demand in London could exceed supplies by 20 percent by 2040, according to a report released by the London Assembly Environment Committee. A growing population is expected to drive the water shortages, as well as larger sewer outflows and carbon emissions. Bloomberg

On The Radar

Development in Kolkata threatens to undermine the ability of the city’s wetlands to provide essential services. The wetlands help clean the city’s wastewater, protect it from floods, and generate fresh fish and vegetables for the city’s markets. Guardian

Paris kicked off a two-week exercise Monday simulating a massive flood event. The Sequana 2016 event aims to test the coordination between emergency responders and raise public awareness about flood risks. 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