The Stream, August 3: Water Quality Improves Along India’s Ganga River
The Global Rundown
Water quality along India’s Ganga river improves at several locations. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, as well as the state government, are dismissed from a Flint water crisis lawsuit. A hosepipe ban is northwest England is called off amid rainfall and cooler temperatures. Monsoon rains continues to deluge Myanmar, displacing nearly 150,000 people. Toxic algae blooms, particularly the dangerous “red tide,” choke Florida’s coastal waterways. Native American tribes continue to fight against the Dakota Access pipeline.
“People think Standing Rock has come and gone. But we will continue this fight until we are heard and the world knows what happened to us.” –Danielle Ta’Sheena Finn, a spokeswoman for the Standing Rock Sioux, in reference to the ongoing fight against the controversial Dakota Access pipeline. After a lengthy, high-profile protest in 2016, Native American tribes continue to combat the pipeline in federal court, arguing that the project will disrupt sacred land and waterways. Reuters
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By The Numbers
400 Sea turtles that have died in Florida due to the deadly “red tide,” a toxic algae bloom that is devastating marine life and tainting beaches throughout the state. Florida is also battling blue green algae in several inland waterways. USA Today
In context: Algal Blooms Are No Accident For Florida Everglades and Estuaries.
7 million Households in northwest England that were part of a United Utilities hosepipe ban set to begin on August 5. The utility has now called off the controversial ban, saying that water demand has relaxed as rainfall and cooler temperatures move into the region. The Guardian
Science, Studies, And Reports
At least 12 people have been killed by flooding in Myanmar, according to an update from the country’s Disaster Management Department, which also reported that an estimated 148,386 people are temporarily residing in camps until flood waters recede. The government estimates that the flooding has destroyed 12,140 hectares (30,000 acres) of farmland. Al Jazeera
On The Radar
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, along with the state government, were dismissed from a Flint water crisis lawsuit on Wednesday. According to a 128-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Judith E. Levy, plaintiffs of the lawsuit did not affirm that Governor Snyder was aware of the problems with Flint’s river water when he granted approval for the city to begin drawing its water from the contaminated river in 2014. Reuters
Spotlight: India
Follow The Stream for daily coverage on India’s water crisis.
Data gathered by India’s Central Pollution Control Board shows that the water quality in the Ganga river has improved in 33 locations. The Indian government has been working to rejuvenate the river in recent years, and has sanctioned a total of 221 clean-up projects. The Hindu
Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter
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