The Stream, November 2: Mexico City Cuts Water for 3 Days To Perform Repairs

The Global Rundown

Mexico City shuts off its water system for 72 hours in order to make much-needed repairs. Experts warn that a lack of fresh water in coastal Myanmar could lead to conflict. Power prices in the West Balkans rise as drought depletes hydropower output. California puts Los Angeles County in charge of a small water district that has been delivering dirty water to customers.  Australia’s ongoing drought endangers wildlife.

“There are large numbers of kangaroos dying all over the country. [Change is occurring] at such a fast rate for so many animals and plants that they can’t adapt in that amount of time.” –Richard Kingsford, an ecologist at the University of New South Wales, in reference to the impact of drought on Australia’s wildlife. Kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and other exotic animals are moving closer to towns and roadways in search of food and water. Phys.org

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

What’s Up With Water – October 29, 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: the European Parliament’s ban on single-use plastics and the boil-water notice in Austin, Texas.

HotSpots H2O, October 29: Amazon River Development Imperils Indigenous Communities  – The Amazon watershed is peppered with conflict, often between developers and indigenous communities.

By The Numbers

72 hours Length of time that Mexico City’s water system will be shut off for repairs. The Great Water Cut-off, or Megacorte, began on Wednesday morning and will impact an estimated 4 million people. The city’s water delivery system loses up to 40 percent of its water to leaks, and is in great need of repairs. NPR

In context: Floods and Water Shortages Swamp Mexico City.

40 centimeters (1.3 feet) Projected sea-level rise along Myanmar’s Irrawaddy delta by 2050. Rising sea levels are already seeping into wells and eroding coastal areas in Myanmar. Experts fear that a shortage of fresh water could lead to conflict in coming years. The Guardian

Science, Studies, And Reports

Power prices across the Western Balkans are on the rise as drying rivers upset hydropower output. In Serbia, hydropower production has dropped by 20 percent, and similar shortfalls are occurring in Bosnia and Croatia. Reuters

On The Radar

The Sativa Los Angeles County Water District has been accused of providing customers in Compton and Willowbrook, California, with dark, smelly water for years. On Wednesday, state officials terminated Sativa’s board of directors and general managers, temporarily putting Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Works in charge of the small water district. Los Angeles Times

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