The Stream, December 27: Global Groundwater Levels

Groundwater levels have dropped dramatically in many places across the globe over the past nine years, with the biggest decline in parts of California, India, the Middle East and China, where expanding agriculture has increased water demand, ScienceNews reported.

Nitrate pollution in the River Thames is so high that a clean-up would mean massive changes to land use and management, which would compromise food security and take decades to implement, according to the Natural Environment Research Council.

Who owns Florida’s water? The Orlando Sentinel reports on the intensifying debate over how to regulate the state’s scarce water resources.

Brazil has fined Chevron $5.4 million for breaching the terms of the oil company’s environmental license when tackling an offshore spill at a well it drilled in November, Reuters reported. The fine comes on top of another charge imposed on Chevron for causing the spill off the coast of Brazil.

At least two people were killed and eight wounded in clashes between protesters and police during demonstrations over a proposed gold mine in eastern Indonesia that locals fear will threaten forests and drain water resources, Reuters reported.

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.