The Stream, July 23: Pakistan Is One of Most Water-stressed Countries

Water Supply
Pakistan is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, with only a 30-day supply held in reserve, according to a report from the Asian Development Bank. Water shortages, in combination with already widespread energy shortages, could further destabilize the country, The Atlantic reported.

Surface and groundwater supplies in Inner Mongolia are drying up near a coal-to-liquids plant, according to a new report from Greenpeace, Voice of America reported. Groundwater levels have dropped nearly 100 meters (328 feet) since the plant began operating, the report says.

Underground Water
India plans to improve its management of underground water resources by expanding efforts to map aquifers, which have been drawn down by an extensive well system, Bloomberg News reported. India is increasing spending on the project seven-fold to $US 552 million.

Australian scientists are using heat to trace water movement between streams and aquifers in order to better understand how groundwater extraction affects surface water resources, Phys.org reported. The results of such studies could improve water management in river basins like the Murray-Darling.

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