The Stream, September 17, 2019: Australian Towns Likely to Run Dry by November, Projections Show

The Global Rundown

Several towns in New South Wales, Australia, are expected to run out of water by November. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan resume talks regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) after more than a year. Millions of homes in the United States receive their water through lead water lines similar to those in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey. Ongoing monsoon rains cause heavy flooding in parts of India and Thailand. Villages in Alaska run low on water after a dry summer. 

“It scared me a lot. What’s going to happen if this keeps going? If this is our future of no water, what’s going to happen to everybody?” –Nina Kvasnikoff, a resident of Nanwalek, Alaska, in reference to her village’s water running out this summer. Several communities across the state are grappling with severe water shortages following an unusually dry summer. Residents are attempting to conserve any remaining water, but some say they may need to relocate. NPR

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By The Numbers

10 million Possible number of lead water lines throughout the United States, although the exact number is unknown due to incomplete pipeline inventories in most states. If the lines are treated with the right combination of chemicals, they are safe, but if not, cities are at risk of drinking water crises like in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey. Experts say replacement of lead pipelines should ultimately be the goal. Associated Press

20,000 People who have been evacuated from Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province. Heavy monsoon flooding has hit the region in recent weeks, leaving some villages without electricity or clean water. Severe monsoon rains are also causing ongoing flooding in India. Al Jazeera

Science, Studies, and Reports

At least four towns in New South Wales, Australia, will run out of water by November unless significant rainfall occurs, according to government projections. New South Wales has been in drought for the past 32 months. The Guardian

On the Radar

This week, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan reopened talks on the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam for the first time in more than a year. So far, the talks have been gridlocked, with Egypt and Ethiopia failing to agree on key aspects of the dam’s construction. Reuters

Kayla Ritter

Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter