The Stream, February 15: 4 Billion People Face Severe Water Scarcity

The Global Rundown

Globally, more people than previously thought experience severe water scarcity for at least part of the year, a new study found. To fight water shortages in Yemen, communities are experimenting with fog harvesting, and a major city in India’s Punjab state is waiting for government approval to improve drinking water quality. The river Thames flooded in London, and a large earthquake hit Oklahoma over the weekend.

“There is enough lip service to make Amritsar like Paris, Switzerland or Singapore. It is pity that the government till date has not been able to provide safe drinking water for the residents.” –Jagdish Singh, a resident of Amritsar, one of the largest cities in India’s Punjab state. The city is still awaiting the completion of a new, canal-based water supply system to ease water shortages and improve drinking water quality. (The Tribune)

By The Numbers

4 billion people Number globally who experience severe water scarcity at least one month of the year, according to a new study. Many of those people live in China and India. Twente Water Centre

5.1 Magnitude of an earthquake that shook Oklahoma over the weekend, one of the largest in state history. An increasing number of earthquakes in the state could be linked to hydraulic fracturing operations, according to scientists. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

Fog harvesting may help communities in Yemen avoid water shortages if successful pilot projects are implemented on a larger scale. One project installed 200 fog-harvesting screens that are each capable of producing 40 liters of water per day. Quartz

On The Radar

Extremely high tides triggered flood warnings along the river Thames in London over the weekend. The rising water prompted officials to close the Thames Barrier, a major flood defense system, for the first time this winter. Guardian

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