The Stream, August 17: Has Work Resumed on Laos’ Mekong Dam?

Despite assurances from Laos that work on its controversial Xayaburi dam on the Mekong River would halt pending further impact studies, the Thai developer building the dam said yesterday that construction has continued, Reuters reported.

A drought affecting 11 provinces in Cambodia has damaged 4,811 hectares (11,888 acres) of rice seedlings and threatens 101,365 hectares (250,478 acres) more, Xinhua reported, citing a government spokesperson.

India’s water reservoir levels are inching back up, hitting 51 percent capacity this week, Reuters reported. The levels are still down 12 percent from last year at this time, but are in line with the 10-year average.

Drinking Water
Saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico that is traveling up the Mississippi River due to low freshwater flows is now only 6 river miles from reaching New Orleans’ water supply points, The Times-Picayune reported. The saltwater has already compromised drinking water facilities for Plaquemines Parish, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers is rushing to build an underwater dam to block it from moving further upstream.

Treated sewer water unintentionally recaptured in reservoirs could already make up 20 percent of drinking water supplies in state capitals across Australia, according to a professor and water expert at the University of Melbourne, the Herald Sun reported.

A heat wave and insufficient rainfall in parts of southwest China could cause temporary drinking water shortages for thousands of citizens, Xinhua reported.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

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