The Stream, July 5: A Majority of European Waterways Fail Recent Water Quality Tests

The Global Rundown

A new report finds that more than half of Europe’s waterways fail water quality tests. Norway begins importing power after a dry spring saps hydropower reserves. Two planned Ethiopian dams could leave thousands of Kenyans without drinking water, environmentalists warn. Record-breaking rains swamp Lahore, Pakistan, killing six. Farmers in Scotland struggle to feed livestock as drought “scorches” grazing land.

“…I’ve never seen anything like this. Parts that should be lush and green are brown and burned.” –Joyce Campbell, a Scottish sheep farmer, in reference to drought-like conditions in Scotland, which is in the midst of an intense heatwave. The hot, dry temperatures are wilting grazing lands, forcing some farmers to sell off livestock. BBC

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

Water Access In Lima Complicated by Inequality and Climate Uncertainty – With a population of 10 million, the world’s second-largest desert city receives a paltry 0.3 inches of rain each year.

What’s Up With Water – July 2, 2018 – “What’s Up With Water” condenses the need-to-know news on the world’s water into a weekly snapshot. Coverage this week includes: Deadly water-related quarrels in India, military takeover of water points in Venezuela, and the Florida-Georgia water dispute.

HotSpots H2O, July 2: Tensions Simmer Across India as Water Supply Falters – Hot temperatures and dwindling water supplies sparked conflict across India in recent months as the country suffers its “worst-ever” water crisis.

By The Numbers

300,000 Kenyans who rely on Turkana Lake to meet their water needs. Ethiopia is planning to construct two dams upstream of Turkana, a move that environmentalists warn could disrupt water supply. Reuters

7 inches Rain that fell in Lahore, Pakistan, in a 24-hour period this week. The water swamped the city’s main roads, submerging cars and seeping into many homes and buildings. As of Wednesday, six people had been killed by the deluge. The New York Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released a State of Our Waters report, which summarizes data from 130,000 waterways in Europe. According to the report, only 40 percent of surveyed lakes, rivers, and streams were in a good ecological state. The remaining water bodies did not meet minimum standards for pollution and habitat degradation. The Guardian

On The Radar

Norway has begun importing power from Denmark and Sweden after a dry spring lowered the country’s hydropower reserves. Warm, dry conditions are forecast to persist, which will further deplete water reserves. 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