The Stream, August 3: Zambia Communities File Lawsuit Over Drinking Water Pollution

The Global Rundown

Communities in Zambia have filed an international lawsuit against a mining company due to drinking water pollution, while a different company announced it will lay off workers at one of the country’s copper mines due to hydropower shortages. Monsoon floods could pollute a world heritage site in Vietnam, Pakistan may soon be categorized as “water scarce”, and New York City is still looking for the source of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Singapore continues to streamline its water supply and management system.

“Ideally, we don’t sell you water. We rent you water. We take it back, we clean it. We’re like a laundry service. Then you can multiply your supply of water many, many times.”–George Madhavan, communications director for Singapore’s national water agency, on the country’s efforts to create a holistic system that collects, recycles, and cleans water efficiently. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

1,480 workers Number to be laid off by First Quantum Minerals from a copper mining project in Zambia due to power shortages. The shortages were caused by low hydropower reserves. Reuters

71 people Number sickened in an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City. Four people have died from the disease, which is spread through airborne water droplets. The New York Times

17 people Death toll from floods caused by monsoon rains in Vietnam. Coal mines are also at risk from flooding, prompting concerns about water pollution in Ha Long Bay. The New York Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

Pakistan’s per capita water availability has declined so rapidly in the past four decades that the country may soon be categorized as “water scarce”, according to a report by the International Monetary Fund. In addition, Pakistan’s groundwater supplies are shrinking. The Third Pole

On The Radar

Communities in Zambia filed a lawsuit in London’s high court against Vedanta Resources, arguing that the company’s copper mine polluted drinking water supplies. The water has caused illnesses and crop losses, the communities said. Observer

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