The Stream, January 28: Months After Typhoon, Philippines Communities Still Lack Safe Water

Some communities in the Philippines still don’t have access to reliable sources of safe water, despite months of relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan, AlertNet reported. Aid agencies have been hindered by wet, stormy weather, but even the water trucks and tanks that they have been able to supply are temporary solutions to the water problem.

Drought
Farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley may be at risk of losing water shipments that they saved from last year to more senior water rights holders, The Fresno Bee reported. The state is suffering its third consecutive year of drought, which has left federal water managers to sort out who has the greatest legal claim to water in the valley.

A combination of scarce water supplies, political restructuring and energy development has increased conflict between herders and farmers in northern Kenya, Reuters reported. The groups are struggling for political influence, which they can use to gain access to dwindling resources.

Climate Change
United States President Barack Obama is expected to further outline plans for executive action on climate change during the annual State of the Union address tonight, the Guardian reported. Experts say the president is not likely, however, to bring up the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline that has been a flashpoint for debate about climate change and water protections.

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