The Stream, April 10: Japan’s Fukushima Water Tanks Spring Leaks

A leak was discovered at yet another underground water storage tank used to contain radioactive wastewater from Japan’s damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, The New York Times reported. The country is struggling to find places to store the contaminated water, but has promised not to release it into the Pacific Ocean.

A Chilean court will hear an appeal from indigenous communities over Barrick Gold’s Pascua-Lama gold and silver mine project, suspending construction on the project while the case progresses, Reuters reported. The communities say the mine is a threat to glaciers and water supply.

Amid growing scrutiny over China’s air and water pollution, results of a soil survey show that the country’s ground is also contaminated, Reuters reported. Fertilizers and pesticides used to boost agricultural production as much as a century ago have left traces of chemicals and heavy metals.

Hydropower reserves in Switzerland, which provide 11 percent of the country’s electricity, are at their lowest level in 13 years following an unusually cold and dry winter, according to Bloomberg News. The shortages may push up power prices for neighboring European countries, though April rains could improve the situation.

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