The Stream, December 24, 2019: Neighbors Bring Water to Australian Homes Where Taps Have Run Dry

The Global Rundown

Australian communities band together to deliver water to those who have run out. A coalition of sixteen Democratic-leaning U.S. states and cities file a lawsuit against the EPA over efforts to minimize regulations governing waterways. Argentina overturns a law banning mining projects in a key wine-growing region, raising concerns about water supply. Heavy rains inundate Southern California, swamping freeways and causing several traffic accidents.  Another round of high tide flooding hits Venice, Italy. 

“This is the first time in history that high waters have reached the peak of 1.40 meters five times in a year. The maximum until now had been two times in a year.” –Alvise Papa, head of the Venice Center High Tides, in reference to repeated flood events in the Italian city over the past couple months. In mid-November, the tide rose to 1.87 meters (6.14 feet), the highest in more than 50 years. Monday’s tide hit 1.44 meters (4.72 feet). Associated Press

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

Dams, Sand Mining Threaten to Wreck Mekong Delta  — More than sea-level rise, unsustainable development on its rivers is the biggest risk to the delta’s economy and ecology.

HotSpots H2O: Drought Devastates Food, Power Supplies in Zambia and Zimbabwe — Victoria Falls, the iconic waterfall along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, has slowed to a trickle amid months of dry weather. The falls’ diminished flow is a visible symptom of a much larger drought problem. 

By The Numbers

340,000 liters (90,000 gallons) Amount of water that Russell Wantling, a truck driver, delivers each week to households in Queensland, Australia, that are struggling to maintain their water supply. Several other ordinary citizens are sharing water with neighbors as supplies become increasingly strapped in the drought-hit country. The crisis is uniting communities, but also fueling anger among residents that the government is doing an inadequate job of helping struggling citizens. The Guardian

16 Democratic-led U.S. states and cities that filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday over attempts by the Trump administration to loosen environmental regulations over certain waterways. The coalition claims the change in regulations would violate the Clean Water Act. Reuters

Science, Studies, and Reports

A 2007 law banning water-thirsty mining projects in Argentina’s wine-growing Mendoza region has been overturned, prompting fears that water for farmers and wineries could run low. Several thousand people gathered to protest the ruling on Monday, and the demonstrations briefly turned violent. The Guardian

On the Radar

Torrential rainfall hit Southern California on Monday, causing trees to topple and several roadways to flood. In Los Angeles County, slick road conditions caused dozens of traffic accidents. Rainfall is expected to continue into the night. Los Angeles Times

You Are Leading the Transformation

Circle of Blue persists because of people like you, recognize that water is our greatest vulnerability, and our greatest asset.

Together, we are informing the world’s most important decisions.

We are a non-profit. There are no ads. No paywalls.

We rely on your support to sustain Circle of Blue’s extraordinary level of trusted journalism, research, and engagement, enabling students and leaders alike to define water’s future. Thank you.

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