The Stream, June 29: Electricity Is Fastest-growing Use of U.S. Fresh Water

Electricity-producing coal, nuclear, and natural gas plants account for the fastest-growing use of fresh water in the United States, according to a report from Oregon-based River Network, Bloomberg News reported. The study found that electricity produced by hydropower dams has the largest water footprint.

The amount of Arctic sea ice is at a record low for June, covering 318,000 fewer square miles (823,616 square kilometers) than June ice levels in the record-setting 2007 melt season, according to observations from the United States National Snow and Ice Data Center, the Guardian reported.

India
A United States court ruled that Union Carbide is not liable for injury claims related to soil and water pollution near the site of the company’s former pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, Bloomberg News reported. A gas leak at the plant in 1984 killed thousands of people.

Demand for water in the world’s largest cities is expected to increase 80 billion cubic meters between 2010 and 2025, with Mumbai and New Delhi experiencing the largest jumps in demand, according to a new report from the McKinsey Global Institute, BusinessWeek reported.

Cities
A survey of 22 European cities found that 18 say they face significant risks from climate change, while half characterized the risks as “severe” or “very severe”, Reuters reported.

Unprecedented urbanization in the world’s emerging economies will require massive infrastructure projects, including water supply and wastewater projects, but companies are failing to capitalize on the growing needs, Reuters reported, citing a report from the McKinsey Global Institute.

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