Entries by Kayla Ritter

The Stream, April 11: Up to 30,000 Flint Children Will Be Screened to Determine Impact of Lead in Drinking Water

The Global Rundown Up to 30,000 children who were exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water in Flint, Michigan, will be screened to identify potential impacts. Norsk Hydro, the operator of the world’s largest alumina refinery, denies allegations of water contamination in Para, Brazil. A Mississippi tributary is named the most endangered river in the U.S. as […]

The Stream, April 10: Drought-Stricken Israel Plans to Build New Desalination Plants

The Global Rundown Israel plans to build two new desalination plants to combat ongoing drought. A deadly oil spill dirties waterways as it spreads along the coast of Borneo, Indonesia. Mountain snowpack in Colorado shrinks to 66 percent of its normal size. California revives the possibility of a two-tunnel water delivery project  Environmental groups organize […]

HotSpots H2O, April 9: Spotlight on Libya

In 2011, amid the chaos of civil war, Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown. Unrest continues today, along with the breakdown of basic services such as water and sanitation.

The Stream, April 6: Human Interventions Along the Mississippi River Increased Flooding, Study Finds

The Global Rundown A new study finds a link between human interventions and increased flooding along the Mississippi River. The Philippines government approves a six-month closure of Boracay, a heavily-polluted tourist hotspot. Australia’s Murray-Darling basin plan crumbles amid mismanagement, water theft, and ongoing debates. Early forecasts warn that the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season will be […]

The Stream, April 5: Capital Spending on U.S. Water Systems Set to Rise 11 Percent by 2027

The Global Rundown A new report finds that capital spending on U.S. water systems will rise by 11 percent in the next decade. Brazil sues Norsk Hydro ASA for $75 million in environmental damages after a toxic leak at the world’s largest alumina refinery. The New Mexico Court of Appeals upholds a legal settlement allowing […]

The Stream, April 4: Cape Town Pushes Day Zero to 2019 As Dams Fill

The Global Rundown Cape Town moves Day Zero to 2019 as dams levels begin to rise. Scientists predict the impact of future global warming on food security. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says flood insurance premiums will rise again in 2018. Cities across Libya are experiencing water shortages, forcing residents to dig for […]

The Stream, April 3: Rivers Appear Overnight In Argentina Due to Deforestation, Climate Change

The Global Rundown New rivers appear unexpectedly across Argentina, likely due to deforestation and increasing rainfall. Radioactive contamination in Russia’s Techa River dirties the water supply of thousands. Environmentalists warn that coal mining may be impacting the quality of drinking water in Sydney, Australia. Damage to an old pipeline in Thessaloniki, Greece, leaves large sections […]

HotSpots H2O, April 2: Spotlight on Afghanistan

The Rundown In Afghanistan, the ties between water and conflict are complex. Years of warfare have upset the water supply of millions. Fighting has damaged infrastructure and driven numerous Afghans from their homes, often to areas where clean water is unavailable. At the same time, climate change is pressuring the country’s resources, and changes in […]

The Stream, March 30: Drought-Related Protests Continue in Iran

The Global Rundown Water shortages continue to spark protests in Iran. The Asian Development Bank gives a $350 million loan to Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, for flood-prevention projects. Kenya plans to sell bonds in order to fund water and sewage projects. Indonesia deploys soldiers to clean the heavily-polluted Citarum River. Chronic drought fuels […]

The Stream, March 29: Nepalese Farmers Dispute Water-Sharing Agreements with India

The Global Rundown Farmers in Nepal claim water-sharing treaties with India are leaving them without adequate water supply. Houston, Texas, wants voters to approve more than $1 billion in bonds to fund flood-control projects. A new study shows trends in U.S. surface water body area over the last 30 years. Kerala, India, declares drought in […]

Water Scarcity Looms in London’s Future

The city’s water demand is expected to exceed supply within the next decade.