The Stream, October 2, 2019: Ethiopian Mega-Dam Delayed 5 Years Due to Poor Engineering, Official Claims

The Global Rundown

Ethiopia says completion of its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is delayed by five years due to poor-quality structural work. The death toll from India’s recent monsoon rains rises to 139. New Hampshire enforces new restrictions on PFAS in state drinking water systems. Newark, New Jersey, is set to receive an additional $155 million to aid in replacing lead water lines. Heavy rains trap residents of Britain’s Isle of Man. 

“We have removed some of the steelworks on bottom outlets and replaced them with new ones. We also readjusted and repaired some of the steel structure works.” –Belachew Kassa, the site coordinator and deputy head of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, in reference to work done by METEC, the country’s military-industrial conglomerate. Officials say that the poor engineering delayed the dam’s completion by five years. Reuters

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By The Numbers

139 Latest death toll from flooding in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India, as of Tuesday evening. After a slow start in June, the country’s September monsoon rainfall ended up being 48 percent above normal, the third-highest amount since 1901. Al Jazeera

$155 million Amount that Newark, New Jersey, will receive toward replacing lead pipelines as part of a new lease agreement under the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The city, which has been dealing with lead contamination in drinking water, also received a $120 million loan for pipeline replacement last month. NJ.com

Science, Studies, and Reports

Beginning Tuesday, New Hampshire is tightening restrictions on PFAS contaminants in public water systems. The new limits require utilities to routinely test for four types of PFAS chemicals, and then change or treat their water source if the compounds are detected above new state limits. The state has allotted $6 million to help smaller water utilities make the necessary changes. AP

On the Radar

Intense rainfall blanketed parts of Wales and southern England on Tuesday, forcing several road closures and some evacuations. A major incident was declared on the Isle of Man after flooding trapped residents in their homes. BBC

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