The Stream, October 18: Federal Focus on Water-Energy Nexus

The federal government must improve oversight on the nexus between water and energy, as domestic energy production will likely account for 85 percent of growth in domestic water production. That according to a Government Accountability Office report released this week, The Hill reported, which calls on the Energy Department to oversee water availability and use by energy producers.

Clean Water Act Turns 40

The United States is two-thirds of the way to achieving the Clean Water Act’s ambitious goal set in 1972: the nation’s waters should be fishable and swimmable. National Geographic reported that clarifying the scope of the act, strengthening incentives to curb fertilizer/pesticide use, addressing urban storm-water pollution, bringing fracking under the Clean Water Act’s purview, restoring natural river-flow patterns and more would all help achieve 100 percent livable waters.

From Karachi to Cauvery

Water will act as a wall for India, China, and Indonesia’s development, and may supplant people as nations’ greatest resource. Forbes‘ Asia magazine editor reported that each country is confronting either scarce moisture in key regions or an inability to contain and deliver over-abundant water.

Glimmers of hope emerged in India’s Cauvery river crisis. The Karnataka government opened a flow of water to Tamil Nadu, and the northeast monsoon is forecast to begin before the end of the week, The Times of India reported, bringing rain to Tamil Nadu.

Karachi, Pakistan’s supply of chlorinated water has gone uninterrupted, according to the city’s managing director of water and sewage. A monitoring group noticed a lack of chlorine in Karachi’s water supply, The News reported, but the Karachi water director insisted chlorine additions continued, and that the water is safe.

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.