The Stream, May 17: Israel Receives Three Bids for Massive Desalination Plant

The Global Rundown

Three groups bid on a large desalination plant in Israel. A study finds 414 million pieces of plastic on the remote Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean. Western Australia declares two areas “water deficient” and prepares to truck in water supplies. Colorado snowpack is sufficient to pull the state out of drought, meteorologists predict. Camel milk gains popularity in drought-hit Kenya.

“If there is water scarcity, (camels) can go a month without water. Even when they are thirsty they can still produce milk – there is no downside to camels.” –Salah Abdinoor Issack, a camel herder in northern Kenya, in reference to the benefits of camels in an increasingly dry climate. As climate change parches parts of Africa, many are lauding camel milk as a way to fight malnutrition and balance diets. Thomas Reuters Foundation

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

‘Alarming’ Increase in U.S. Hepatitis A Cases, CDC Reports — Resurgence of the viral liver disease is linked to drug use and homelessness.

HotSpots H2O: Eleven Killed in Kenya Water Quarrel — A clash over water left eleven people dead and two injured in Marsabit County, Kenya, last week. The deaths are the latest in a string of water-related violence in the eastern African country in recent years.

By The Numbers

414 million Pieces of plastic that were found on the remote Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean. Most of the items found were single-use plastics, and included 977,000 shoes and 373,000 toothbrushes. The Guardian

19.5 inches Snowpack in Colorado’s southwest corner, equaling 220 percent of median snowpack. Scientists say the snowpack will likely be enough to help the state recover from last year’s drought. The Denver Post

Science, Studies, and Reports

Israel plans to build a new desalination plant that will bolster overall supply and provide water to a fifth of the country’s households. The country received bids from three different groups interested in building the plant, which will likely take three years to complete. Reuters

In context: Desalination Has a Waste Problem.

On the Radar

Mallee Hill and Mount Short, Western Australia, have been declared “water deficient” after a months of dry weather, and farmers are now relying on weekly trucked-in water to supply livestock. It is the area’s first water deficiency declaration in eight years. The Guardian

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