The Stream, November 4: Second Stage of China’s South-North Water Diversion Opens

The Global Rundown

China opened the second section of its massive South-North water diversion, while desalination is being considered to save the Middle East’s Jordan River from water diversions. California will need to spend millions just to maintain its current water infrastructure, and India is spending millions to irrigate sugarcane farms. Meanwhile, public opposition is costing the tar sands industry billions, and a nonprofit is challenging you to live in water poverty. Australia is holding a hearing about abolishing the National Water Commission, and the United States Supreme Court will hear a water dispute between Florida and Georgia.

By The Numbers

9.5 billion cubic meters Amount of water being pumped each year through the central route of China’s South-North Water Transfer Project, which opened October 31. Foundation For Non-Violent Alternatives

$200 million Amount California needs to spend over the next decade to maintain current drinking water, sewer, and flood control infrastructure, according to a new state assessment. State of California

$65 million Amount India’s Karnataka state will invest in drip irrigation for sugarcane farms. The Hindu

4 liters Amount of water the nonprofit DIGDEEP is challenging people to live on for 24 hours to understand water poverty. Forbes

Science, Studies, And Reports

Desalination may be the answer to saving the Jordan River—where more than 90 percent of water flows are lost to farms and cities—say water experts from Israel and Jordan. National Geographic

Civic campaigns opposing tar sands—many on concerns about land and water pollution—have cost the oil industry $17 billion, according to a report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis and Oil Change International. Guardian

On The Radar

The Australia Parliament’s Environment and Communications Legislation Committee is holding a hearing today on the future of the country’s National Water Commission, which was abolished in May. Circle of Blue

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case between Florida and Georgia over disputed water resources in the Apalachicola River Basin. AL.com

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