The Stream, November 5, 2019: Thousands of Canadians Exposed to Lead Levels Higher Than Flint, Investigation Finds

The Global Rundown

Several hundred thousand Canadians are exposed to lead water levels exceeding those of the Flint water crisis, a new investigation warns. The number of Somalis displaced by flooding surpasses 270,000. The heaviest rain in years deluges parts of eastern Australia. Crews begin cleanup following an oil spill from the Keystone pipeline in North Dakota. Residents of Delhi, India, demand government action to address severe air and water pollution.

“According to the ritual we are supposed to bathe in the water but I could not bring myself to do it fully, though my friends took a full dip even with the smell. My legs were itching after a while and I had to go home and take a bath.” –Sunita Devi, a resident of Delhi, in reference to a recent Hindu ceremony performed in Delhi’s toxic Yamuna River. Delhi is currently grappling with severe air and water pollution, a crisis that residents say is largely due to government inaction. The Guardian

In context: Delhi Waits For Water

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

Speaking of Water: Michael Cohen on the Salton Sea — In this episode of Speaking of Water, host Eileen Wray-McCann talks with Michael Cohen, a senior researcher at the Pacific Institute, about the Salton Sea.

What’s Up With Water – November 4, 2019  — This week’s edition of What’s Up With Water includes coverage on an Australian lawsuit over PFAS, a new dam on the Mekong River, and Legionnaires’ Disease in America. 

HotSpots H2O: South Africa Imposes Emergency Water Restrictions to Prevent Another “Day Zero” — Less than two years after Cape Town’s “Day Zero” water crisis, warm, dry weather has prompted South African water suppliers once again to impose emergency conservation measures. 

By The Numbers

100 mm (4 inches) Rain received in parts of New South Wales, Australia, over the weekend, some of the heaviest that the country’s east coast has experienced in years. The rain brought a slight respite from the region’s intense drought, but farmers say more is needed to truly boost the Australia’s struggling agricultural sector. Reuters

In context: In Australia, Echoes of Past, Glimpses of Future As Country Braces for Hot, Dry Summer.

270,000+ People displaced due to flooding in Somalia, as of November 3. Aid agencies say the floods have claimed at least ten lives so far, and worry that conditions could worsen as a new tropical storm moves toward eastern Africa. Al Jazeera

Science, Studies, and Reports

A yearlong investigation by more than 120 journalists from various universities and news organizations alleges that the water of several hundred thousand Canadians is contaminated by higher lead levels than those present during the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. One-third of testing exceeded the Canadian safety guideline of 5 parts per billion (ppb), while 18 percent bypassed the U.S. limit of 15 ppb. Researchers say they are surprised by the findings, but believe the problem is largely driven by a lack of federal oversight on testing drinking water systems for lead. Associated Press

In context: Circle of Blue’s coverage of the Flint water crisis.

On the Radar

Crews are beginning to clean up a spill from the Keystone pipeline, which leaked over 9,000 barrels of crude oil in Walsh County, North Dakota, last week. Officials say the spill, which impacted a wetland, covered an area about half the size of a football field. 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