The Stream, November 20: Concerns About Water Not Stopping Nicaragua Canal

The Global Rundown

Nicaragua will soon begin construction of its ocean-linking canal, Saudi Arabia is spending billions to build water infrastructure, and New York City continues to build a massive drinking water tunnel. Ireland has reduced its planned water rates. Uruguay is recycling cooking oil into biodiesel, and a Netherlands paper mill is recycling water. There could be floods in New York, but there won’t be a drought in Turkey. It is easier to find cellphone coverage than piped water in much of Africa.

“The Nicaraguan people will get a big Christmas present,” –Paul Oquist, adviser to Nicaragua’s president, on plans to begin construction December 24 on a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Scientists have expressed concerns that the canal will damage freshwater ecosystems in Lake Nicaragua. (Guardian)

By The Numbers

$1.1 billion Amount Saudi Arabia’s largest water supplier will spend on infrastructure projects next year to keep up with rising water demand. Bloomberg

$200 Expected annual water bill for a household of two or more people at the reduced rates Ireland’s government introduced to appease protesters. Reuters

2 percent Amount of water a paper mill in the Netherlands uses compared to conventional mills after committing to recycling and reusing many of its inputs and waste products. The New York Times

1,000 liters Amount of water contaminated by one liter of cooking oil in Uruguay, where a state-owned company is trying to recycle the oil into biodiesel to reduce clogs in water systems. EFE

2 meters Amount of snow that has fallen in some areas of New York state, increasing the risk of flooding as temperatures rise again. Bloomberg

Science, Studies, And Reports

More people have access to cellphone coverage—93 percent—than to piped water—59 percent—in Africa, according to a survey of 34, mostly Sub-Saharan countries. The survey was completed by South Africa’s Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, the Ghana-based Centre for Democratic Development, and Kenya’s Institute for Development Studies. Moneyweb

On The Radar

Turkey will not experience a drought this winter and is constructing more reservoirs to supply Istanbul, the country’s Minister of Forestry and Water reassured citizens. A drought last winter harmed the agriculture and energy sectors. Daily Sabah

Two tunnels that are critical to New York City’s Delaware Aqueduct bypass project—meant to replace a leaky portion of the aqueduct that is losing more than 132,000 cubic meters of water a day—should be completed next year. The entire bypass around the aqueduct, which supplies half of the city’s drinking water, won’t be functional until 2023. The New York Times

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