The Stream, September 30: Demand Exceeds Supply in 10 Percent of U.S. Watersheds

Water Supply
Nearly 10 percent of surface watersheds in the United States do not contain enough usable water to keep up with demand, according to a new study that analyzed supply and demand trends over the past decade, CNBC reported. Many of these watersheds are located in the western U.S., and agriculture is one of the biggest reasons behind the stressed watersheds, the report found.

In California, a public opinion poll found that voters are unwilling to spend billions of dollars on improvements to the state’s water system, even though they acknowledge that the work is needed, the Los Angeles Times reported. More than half of poll respondents initially supported major water works until they were told the price of the projects.

Floods
The recent spate of flooding caused by hurricanes and tropical storms in Mexico has become the country’s costliest natural disaster, with an estimated cost of $US 5.7 billion, Reuters reported. The Mexican government, however, said that the cleanup will not affect budget deficit goals.

Another typhoon is taking aim at China and southeast Asia and is expected to bring more flooding to the region, Reuters reported. Typhoon Wutip already hit the South China Sea, where three fishing boats sank and 74 people are missing.

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