The Stream, December 4: Sanaa, Yemen, Sterilizes Water Supply as Cholera Resurges

The Global Rundown

Officials in Sanaa, Yemen, sterilize the city’s water supply as cholera cases surge. The World Bank pledges to provide $200 billion in funding between 2021-25 to combat climate change. Low water pressure at a pumping station in Atlanta, Georgia, leaves large parts of the city without water. A new analysis shows that Seattle, Washington, could lose access to water supplies for up to 2 months in the event of a major earthquake. South Sudan‘s weather service fails to predict droughts and incoming rainfall.

“If I could get information from this (meteorological) department, it would help me plan when to spend money on fuel.” –Achiku Rashid Wani, a farmer in Juba, South Sudan, in reference to the fuel needed to run his water pump. A lack of supplies and infrastructure has hampered efforts to establish a functional weather service in the young nation. Without any meteorological data, farmers are unable to plan for dry or wet spells. Reuters

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By The Numbers

10,000 Suspected cholera cases reported in Yemen each week. The outbreak began to accelerate in October after a relatively low caseload during the first half of 2018. In response, officials in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa are sterilizing water supplies in well, homes, and distribution networks. Reuters

In context: HotSpots H2O, October 15: Special Report on Yemen’s Water Crisis.

$200 billion Amount that the World Bank plans to spend on combating climate change between 2021-25, double the amount it committed after the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The group devoted $20.5 billion to climate issues this year, but feels that a greater amount of yearly funding is needed. The Guardian

Science, Studies, And Reports

A new seismic report warns that Seattle, Washington, could lose water supplies for months if a major earthquake hits the city. The analysis notes that the city would lose water pressure within 24 hours of a catastrophic quake, and a full restoration of water service would likely take at least two months. The Seattle Times

On The Radar

A water treatment plant and pumping station in Atlanta, Georgia, lost pressure on Monday morning, leaving much of the city without water. All of Atlanta is under a boil water advisory while the plant attempts to fix the issue. AJC

Kayla Ritter

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