The Stream, November 3: India Investigates Punjab Groundwater Contamination

The Global Rundown

A study ordered by India’s National Green Tribunal will investigate the cause of groundwater pollution in areas of Punjab state. Saudi Arabia plans to more than double water prices for industrial and commercial users, inadequate investment in South Africa’s water infrastructure could lead to ‘water shedding’, and a series of grants and loans will help improve water systems in rural communities across the United States. Brazil lost trillions of liters of water each year during its severe drought. A popular tourist town in Australia’s Outback is concerned about groundwater extraction.

“Water shedding will take the form of pressure reduction to manage leaks in the system and an overall loss of assurance of supply.”–Anthony Turton, a professor University of Free State’s Centre for Environmental Management, on predictions that inadequate investment in South Africa’s water infrastructure will lead to rotating water cuts much like the load shedding that occurs for electricity. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

56 trillion liters Water lost in southeastern Brazil in each of the last three years due to a severe drought, according to NASA satellite data. Reuters

$314 million Amount released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund 141 projects that will upgrade and repair water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities. USDA

$2.40 per cubic meter Price for water that large commercial, industrial, and government users will have to pay in Saudi Arabia beginning December 16, more than double what they pay now. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

A team of experts will collect and analyze water samples in India’s Punjab state in order to investigate the source of groundwater contamination. The country’s National Green Tribunal ordered the study, stating “It is clear that there are serious issues of ground water level contamination in various districts of Punjab.” Press Trust of India

On The Radar

A groundwater license for an onion and grape farm near Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory has become a sticking point for environmental groups concerned about the condition of the town’s aquifers. The town’s water utility, which also opposes the license, is currently reviewing its water resources strategy for the region. Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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