The Stream, November 17: Detroit Will Continue Water Shutoffs Through Winter

The Global Rundown

Detroit will continue shutting off water for unpaid accounts through the winter, while Iowa may set restrictions to protect an important aquifer. China is spending billions to prevent oil pipeline disasters, India is brainstorming how to conserve water, and Seattle is looking at green infrastructure to save fish. Italy is struggling with floods, Sri Lanka is trying to reduce damage from landslides, and scientists are urging the Horn of Africa and the Sahel to prepare for droughts and floods.

“It has to be pretty low, below 32 for a long period of time,” Curtrise Garner, spokesperson for Detroit Water and Sewerage on the temperature conditions required for the utility to halt water shutoffs for delinquent bills, which will continue through winter. (Associated Press)

By The Numbers

$4.6 billion Amount Chinese oil company Sinopec will pay to address corrosion and damage to its pipeline system. Reuters

500,000 people Number of Iowa residents supplied with drinking water from the Jordan aquifer, where officials are looking at new restrictions to conserve the groundwater. Des Moines Register

4 people Died in landslides on Italy’s border with Switzerland, where storms and floods have caused extensive damage this month. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

The Horn of Africa and the Sahel region need to prepare now for droughts and floods that are expected to arrive with an El Nino in early 2015, according to scientists and researchers who will meet in Kenya later this month to discuss readiness measures. Reuters

Green infrastructure like rain gardens will be critical for stopping fish deaths from polluted stormwater runoff, according to scientists in Seattle who are researching how to easily filter and clean the runoff. Associated Press

On The Radar

India’s government is holding a three-day conference starting November 20 to brainstorm ways to conserve water in all sectors. The event will also be a forum to discuss India’s major irrigation and water cleanup plans. Times of India

Disaster preparedness officials in Sri Lanka are trying to prevent damage and loss of life from landslides by encouraging communities to coordinate with government agencies to interpret the data collected by donated rain gauges. Poverty and the relative rarity of landslides contribute to complacency, officials say. Inter Press Service

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