The Stream, October 16: In Delhi’s Slums, Residents Work to Avert a Water Crisis

The Global Rundown

Residents of Delhi’s slums work to improve water access. Rising temperatures and dry conditions across the globe are likely to hurt barley crops, which could lead to a shortage of beer. Australia announces a billion-dollar aid package for drought-stricken farmers. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection allots $1 million in Clean Water Act grants to protect the state’s surface waters. Cyclone Leslie hits Portugal after being reclassified from a hurricane. Seven states convene to discuss the future of the United States’ Colorado River.  

“There is clearly enough evidence that if we were to have another 2000 to 2004 kind of a multi-year drought, the system is in very serious trouble.” –Eric Kuhn, the former general manager of the Colorado River District, in reference to water shortages in the Colorado River Basin. Water supplies in the basin, which supports 40 million people across seven states, are slowly declining. Officials from the states are now negotiating new water deals in hopes of mitigating crisis. NPR

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

What’s Up With Water – October 15, 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: Water scarcity after Hurricane Michael, a rare drought in eastern Nepal, and water access in Iraq following ISIL control.

HotSpots H2O, October 15: Special Report on Yemen’s Water Crisis — Water and electrical infrastructure have been targeted repeatedly, leaving millions of Yemenis without clean water.

By The Numbers

$1 billion Size of an aid package for drought-stricken Australian farmers. The funding will provide both low-interest loans and direct cash payouts to farmers across the country. Al Jazeera

$1 million Amount that the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has awarded in federal Clean Water Act grants to preserve state surface waters. More than $350,000 in funding will be used to protect Lake Tahoe. U.S. News & World Report

Science, Studies, And Reports

Climate change could impact future beer supply, according to a small team of international scientists. The researchers analyzed the impact of increasing heat and drought on global barley crops, and found that harsh dry spells could hurt the crop and, in turn, drive up worldwide beer prices. The New York Times

On The Radar

Cyclone Leslie hit Portugal on Monday, leaving thousands without power. The storm was on track to be the first-ever hurricane to make landfall in Europe, but weakened four hours before hitting the coast. Al Jazeera

Spotlight: India

Follow The Stream for daily coverage on India’s water crisis.

Delhi, India, is on track to become the world’s largest city by 2028, and the sprawling metropolis already boasts an array of water issues. Groundwater is on the verge of running out, and a majority of surface water is polluted. The city’s slums are worst-affected by the water shortages, but residents and local groups are working to reorganize and improve the distribution of water before the problems become even more severe. BBC

In context: Delhi Waits for Water.

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