The Stream, October 6: Geothermal Energy Raises California Water Concerns

Water Supply
A community in California’s Sierra mountains is concerned that plans to expand geothermal energy production in the area could threaten drinking water supplies, NBC News reported. Residents worry increased pumping of geothermal water could draw down water levels in the community’s cold water aquifer during an ongoing drought.

Mexico is building a $US 1.32 billion aqueduct to increase the supply of water to Monterrey by 40 percent, Reuters reported. The aqueduct will stretch for 372 kilometers across four states.

Pollution
Drinking water contaminated with the chemical PCE—originally used to line water pipes to prevent taste and odor problems—has been linked to an increased risk of stillbirths and other complications, the Washington Post reported. The New England region of the United States has more than 1,600 kilometers of pipes lined with the contaminant, and more than half of those are in Massachusetts.

Companies working in Sicily have built two water treatment plants capable of purifying 600 cubic meters of water heavily contaminated with phosphates every day, Grundfos reported in the Guardian Sustainable Business hub. Phosphate contamination from fertilizers is a growing problem for drinking water and the environment.

Biodiversity
The world is severely lagging behind targets set in 2010 to preserve biodiversity, according to a new report by the United Nations, Reuters reported. The report said in addition to high profile campaigns to save certain animals, preserving biodiversity also means pursuing goals like reducing nutrient pollution in rivers.

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