The Stream, May 5: Extreme Weather Threatens China Infrastructure, Official Says

The Global Rundown

Changing patterns of extreme weather are a threat to China’s major infrastructure projects, according to the country’s top meteorologist. Colorado invests millions in agricultural water efficiency, Detroit studies ways to help residents pay their water bills, and Utah auditors urge the state to improve water data. Singapore kicks off a project to measure water use and supply.

“Against the backdrop of the global warming, the risks faced by our large engineering projects have increased.”–Zheng Guoguang, China’s top meteorologist, on the threat of more frequent floods, droughts, and heatwaves to major projects like the Three Gorges Dam. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

$3.4 million Cost of a new project in Colorado to simultaneously produce hydropower and increase the efficiency of agricultural irrigation. The project is part of a larger national effort to encourage innovation in water and agriculture. The Denver Post

30 percent Percentage of people who received financial assistance from Detroit to pay their water bills and who have since fallen out of the program, prompting the city to study better ways to help residents pay their bills. Detroit Free Press

Science, Studies, And Reports

Utah must improve the accuracy of its water use data in order to better plan for future water management, according to an audit released by the state Legislative Auditor General. The audit found that water use numbers utilized for calculating future water demand were flawed. The Salt Lake Tribune

On The Radar

Singapore plans to install 1,200 smart water meters over the next year as it begins a two-year project to measure water use and encourage conservation. Two other projects seek to improve water supply data and cut the energy used to treat waste water. The Straits 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