The Stream, July 22: Puerto Rico Water Rationing Expanded

The Global Rundown

A deepening drought in Puerto Rico prompted officials to expand water rationing measures. A new coal mine in Australia continues to raise concerns about groundwater, the European Union voted to ban textile imports that use a substance harmful to waterways, and Hong Kong found high lead levels in the blood of people who may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water. A new website explains the science of phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie.

“Whilst minister Hunt has done a good thing in seeking [IESC] advice on the water management plan, the process is still backwards and the question has to be asked – if the foundations are wrong or uncertain in the first place, it will take an extraordinary water management plan to provide confidence, including the determination of the triggers that will be designed to stop harmful or irreversible impacts.”–Jim McDonald, former member of Australia’s Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC), on concerns over groundwater due to a newly approved coal mine in an agricultural region of New South Wales. (Guardian)

By The Numbers

17,500 households Additional number that will be affected by expanded water rationing measures in Puerto Rico. Rationing is already in place for 400,000 people. Associated Press

39 people Number in Hong Kong found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood, which may be linked to contaminated drinking water at some public housing estates. Bloomberg

Science, Studies, And Reports

A new website produced by Heidelberg University and the Great Lakes Protection Fund explains the forms and sources of the phosphorus pollution that drives toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie. Researchers at Heidelberg have been monitoring and studying phosphorus runoff in the lake’s watershed for the past 40 years. Heidelberg University

On The Radar

The European Union voted to ban imports of clothing and textiles that contain nonylphenol ethoxylates, a toxic substance used during the manufacturing process. The substance gets into waterways when clothing is washed and can disrupt hormones in fish. ENDS Europe

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