The Stream, November 4: Dublin’s Infrastructure Problems Cause Water Restrictions

Europe
Problems at a water treatment facility that filters 55 percent of Dublin’s drinking water have forced the city to turn off taps each night since the middle of last week, Bloomberg News reported. Some are blaming the supply cuts on a lack of investment in Ireland’s water infrastructure, though there are mixed views on the government’s plan to charge taxpayers for water for the first time since 1997.

London’s water utility, Thames Water, wants all customers to install smart water meters to encourage conservation, The Telegraph reported. While the company argues that water bills will rise if water use is not curbed, politicians who oppose the plan say that the meters could cause bills to increase for the two thirds of London residents who currently pay a flat fee for water.

The European Union is not adequately addressing the connections between its water supplies and energy production, according to the director of water programs at Ceres, a nonprofit that promotes business sustainability. In a column for the Guardian, she writes that politicians and energy companies should be looking at hydropower generation as well as the water used to produce fossil fuels.

Himalayas
Efforts to reforest areas near natural springs in northern India are paying off as springs that had dried up due to deforestation are now providing water supplies again, AlertNet reported. Researchers at the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre identified the springs’ catchment areas and then worked with local communities and engineers to build retention ponds and replant trees.

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