The Stream, September 9: Pakistan Pays High Economic Cost for Floods

Pakistan’s economic growth was 2.9 percent over the past three years compared to a potential growth rate of 6.5 percent each year, a discrepancy that one expert says is largely attributable to three years of destructive flooding, AlertNet reported. Pakistan lost $US 16 billion due to the floods, which killed more than 3,000 people.

Chemicals and Water
In an attempt to understand how exposure to chemicals affects human health, scientists at Oregon State University are studying how zebrafish react to a variety of chemical compounds, Yale Environment 360 reported. The fish can be used to model changes in development due to chemical exposure.

Researchers in Germany are conducting chemical analyses of bottled water samples to search for endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can affect hormones that regulate human development and reproduction, Chemistry World reported. A new study found at least one chemical that displayed these characteristics, though scientists say it is “early” to make conclusions about how harmful to human health it is.

Water Supply
California’s Central Valley is increasingly leaning on groundwater resources to supply water for cities and agricultural irrigation, the Associated Press reported. In Fresno, the municipal water division became the region’s largest energy demand due to the electricity required to run water pumps.

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