The Stream, July 31: California’s June Conservation Figures at 27 Percent

The Global Rundown

California has beaten its statewide water conservation target for another month. None of the 2016 Olympic venues in Rio de Janeiro are safe for swimming or boating. Former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Company will face charges stemming from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

“We will be in their face…. We are deadly serious about this.” — Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the California State Water Resources Control Board, on water districts that are still falling far short of their mandatory conservation targets. (Los Angeles Times)

By The Numbers

27 percent – Amount of water California, on average, managed to conserve in June 2015 based on June 2013 figures. While California has again surpassed the statewide target of a 25% reduction in water use (conservation was at 29% in May), 16 water districts failed to meet their conservation standards by 15 percentage points or more. Los Angeles Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

Not one of the 2016 Olympic water venues in Rio de Janeiro is safe for swimming or boating, according to tests commissioned by The Associated Press. Raw sewage is causing levels of viral and bacterial contamination that would have shut down beaches in the United States long ago. NPR

On The Radar

Three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) will face charges related to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, based on a decision made by a Japanese citizens’ panel. The executives are accused of failing to take measures to prepare for natural disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami that destroyed the plant in March 2011, causing three nuclear meltdowns, an evacuation of 160,000 residents, and contamination of air, soil and water. Reuters