The Stream, January 25: No Water for Timbuktu

Africa
Water service, as well as electricity and phone service, has been cut in Timbuktu, the latest casualty of the ongoing conflict in Mali, CNN reported. The Azawad National Liberation Movement (MNLA), a group active in northern Mali that opposes the government, blamed the outages on “terrorist” sabotage.

Following a devastating drought in 2009, pastoral herders in northern Tanzania have started to focus on raising cattle that can withstand harsher conditions, AlertNet reported. This means smaller herds, but a better ability to adapt to climate change.

United States
A ProPublica report warns that, by allowing the pollution of deep aquifers thought to be too expensive to use, the U.S. may be giving up future water supplies. The report points to an effort in Mexico City to secure drinking water from a newly discovered aquifer that lies more than 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) below the ground.

Hydraulic fracturing of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale has raised environmental concerns about water quality. Now, the state is starting a yearlong study to assess radiation levels in oil and gas drilling materials and waste, The New York Times reported.

World
Improving water and sanitation would help alleviate poverty, childhood mortality and gender inequality, according to the United Nations Deputy Chief, the Associated Press reported. In the face of rapid urbanization, these water and sanitation challenges are even more concerning, he said.

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