The Stream, March 4: Uncertain Fate for Dam on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River

Conservationists worry that the Myitsone hydropower project on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River will resume construction after a 3-year pause initiated by Myanmar president Thein Sein, the Guardian reported. The Chinese-backed dam has already displaced communities along the river, and as much as 90 percent of the electricity it would generate would go to China.

U.S. Pollution
Glyphosate, an herbicide in Roundup, was found in 75 percent of air and rain samples collected during the 2007 growing season in the Mississippi Delta, according to a newly released United States Geological Survey (USGS) study, GreenMedInfo reported. The study compared the levels of pesticides in samples taken in 1995 and 2007, and detected 37 pesticide compounds in the samples.

Five Duke Energy power plants in North Carolina failed to obtain national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permits for stormwater discharges under the federal Clean Water Act, and a sixth plant had stormwater and wastewater violations, Reuters reported. The five plants were cited by North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which has been assessing the company’s plants following a coal ash spill in February.

Drought
Jordan may decide to ration water for drinking and irrigation purposes after receiving just 34 percent of its average winter rainfall, Bloomberg News reported. The rationing would occur if an emergency plan created by the Water and Irrigation Ministry is approved by the government.

Drought in Southeast Asia is putting upward pressure on palm oil prices, and regional economists expect dry conditions to increase inflation in countries like Malaysia, Bloomberg News reported. The drought has also led to diminished reservoir levels for drinking water and irrigation.

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