The Stream, November 28: Bhopal Water Still Contaminated 30 Years After Disaster

The Global Rundown

Bhopal’s water may be causing birth defects and health problems 30 years after a major chemical disaster, while Japan says it will process all contaminated water at Fukushima by March. Water utilities in Greece are losing money, water concerns are contributing to Brazil’s slow economy, and the London super sewer may be too costly. Israel is planning to export more water technology to China, while Wyoming plans to keep more water in the state.

“Children are born with conditions such as twisted limbs, brain damage, musculoskeletal disorders … this is what we see in every fourth or fifth household in these communities.”—Satinath Sarangi, an activist with Bhopal Medical Appeal, on the contaminated water that many believe is poisoning drinking water for 50,000 people near the site of a chemical disaster in Bhopal, India. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

320,000 metric tons Amount of contaminated water at the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. Japan now says it can process all of the water by March 2015, as planned. The Wall Street Journal

$51.1 million Net income for Greece’s largest water supplier over nine months, a 45 percent drop from the year before. Bloomberg

0.1 percent Rate at which Brazil’s gross domestic product grew in the third quarter. Business confidence in the country is low in part due to concerns about water and energy shortages. Bloomberg

Science, Studies, And Reports

A professor and other experts who once backed London’s Thames Tideway Tunnel, or “super sewer”, project now say its rising costs outweigh its potential benefits. The project is expected to cost water users an extra $125 each year. Guardian

On The Radar

Israel is planning to increase its exports to China and sees the greatest potential in technology that helps produce and conserve water, especially for agriculture. Bloomberg

Heavy rains led to flooding in Gaza this week, complicating problems with sewage systems and other infrastructure that was damaged in fighting earlier this year. Guardian

Wyoming is considering plans to build more dams and water storage reservoirs in an effort to keep more water in the state and available to farmers and other users. Billings Gazette

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