The Stream, December 6: El Paso, Texas, Plans to Convert Sewage Water to Drinking Water

The Global Rundown

El Paso, Texas, plans to turn treated sewage water into drinking water. Heavy rains in Benghazi, Libya, swamp the city’s airport and hamper transportation. Flint, Michigan, announces the replacement of 7,000 lead water lines, but thousands of hazardous lines remain. A disruption of the Atlanta, Georgia, water system earlier this week could cost the city more than $200 million dollars. Wheat production in drought-stricken New South Wales, Australia, is set to be the lowest since 1995.

“I’ve just finished harvesting a bit of seed but that is about it, certainly no wheat this year.” –Dan Cooper, a farmer in Caragabal, New South Wales, in reference to Australia’s poor wheat harvest. The country’s agricultural bureau predicts that wheat output in the drought-stricken province will be the lowest since 1995. Overall, Australia’s wheat production is expected to be the lowest in a decade due to ongoing drought. Reuters

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HotSpots H2O, December 3: Water Infrastructure Still a Target in Ukrainian Conflict — Two major water lines were shelled in mid-October, leaving an estimated 100,000 people without water for several days.

By The Numbers

7,000 Lead water lines replaced in Flint, Michigan, so far, out of 18,300 total lead or galvanized steel lines. In a press conference on Tuesday, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said the city hopes to replace all hazardous lines by the end next year. The Detroit News

In context: Circle of Blue’s coverage of the Flint water crisis.

$250 million Total economic losses that could result from a 25-hour water system disruption that took place earlier this week in Atlanta, Georgia. The city was placed under a temporary boil water advisory, forcing some businesses to close or take precautionary measures. AJC

Science, Studies, And Reports

El Paso, Texas, is looking to become one of the first U.S. cities to turn treated sewage water into drinking water. Temperature increases in recent decades have dwindled the city’s water supply, and El Paso officials are hailing treated wastewater as an innovative solution to the problem. Al Jazeera

On The Radar

Heavy rains shut down roads, businesses, and the airport in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday. Parts of the airport, which was renovated and reopened in 2017 after 3 years of conflict-related closure, were swamped with 1.5 meters (5 feet) of water. Reuters

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