The Stream, March 7: Papua New Guinea, Weakened By Drought, Now Hit By Floods

The Global Rundown

Communities in Papua New Guinea, already struggling from food and water shortages due to a drought, are now reeling from floods and landslides. The amount of water Adelaide, Australia takes from the River Murray has increased despite a new desalination plant, while water bills in Victoria are expected to increase next year due to the use of desalinated water. Half of Americans are very confident in their drinking water safety, but still feel the government should do more to protect supplies. Cities in eastern North Dakota are considering plans to import groundwater from wells near the Missouri River. Thousands of people in Ireland are under a boil water advisory due to cryptosporidium contamination.

“You can fight a flood, but you can’t fight a drought except to get ready for one.” –Duane DeKrey, manager of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District in North Dakota, on plans to transport groundwater from wells near the Missouri River to cities in the eastern part of the state. (Bismarck Tribune)

By The Numbers

2,000 people Number in Papua New Guinea affected by floods and landslides, many in the same areas that suffered food and water shortages during a drought last year. Reuters

$12 per year Amount Australia’s Victoria state estimates will be added to average municipal water bills next year due to the use of desalinated water. 9 News

4,700 people Number issued a boil water advisory in Ireland due to the discovery of cryptosporidium contamination. The Irish Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

Half of Americans are very confident that their drinking water is safe, according to a new poll by the Associated Press and GfK. Half of respondents also said the federal government should do more to protect drinking water. Think Progress

On The Radar

The amount of water Adelaide, Australia draws from the River Murray increased from 43 billion liters to 73 billion liters last year. Critics of the city’s $2.2 billion desalination plant say it has not reduced reliance on river water as promised. The Advertiser

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