The Stream, November 22: Canadian Tar Sand Industry Creates Largest Man-Made Lake District

Pollution
The disposal of wastewater created during the mining of bituminous tar sands is a growing problem for Canada’s oil industry, which must store the water in vast reservoirs, and the industry is planning expansions that could turn Alberta into the largest man-made lake district in the world, Bloomberg News reported. Environmentalists worry that the reservoirs will damage the surrounding ecosystem, causing wildlife deaths and potentially polluting nearby rivers.

Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy, expressed displeasure that rural communities in California’s San Joaquin Valley still do not have safe drinking water, the Los Angeles Times reported. Officials say at least 200,000 and as many as 2.1 million residents do not have access to water that meets state health standards, while local and state governments are largely failing to act.

Transboundary Water
India is exploring ways to secure its supply of water from the Brahmaputra River before China can build diversion projects, LiveMint reported. Some plans include building hydropower dams within the river basin near the international border, which India hopes would give it established user rights over the water.

Groundwater
A new study will assess groundwater supplies in Victoria, Australia, and quantify the state’s assets in order to better understand the effects of resource development, Dredging Today reported. The study will also look at springs, wetlands and rivers that are dependent on groundwater.

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