The Stream, April 15, 2020: Plans for Pipeline Connecting Flint to Emergency Water Source Put on Hold

The Global Rundown

Plans for a pipeline between Flint and its emergency water source stall. Portugal’s impoverished Roma communities are among the global populations struggling with water access during the coronavirus pandemic. Satellite imagery shows the steep decline of one of Chile’s key reservoirs. Several thousands gallons of water spill from the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline into the Valdez Marine Terminal. A new study finds that estuaries along the coast of New South Wales, Australia, warmed by more than 2° Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit) between 2007 and 2019.

“These sorts of affects have been anticipated, but maybe not at this rate… This sort of rapid change could have negative effects for fisheries, but it’s going to be species specific.” –Dr. Elliot Scanes, a marine biologist at the University of Sydney, in reference to warming temperatures in estuaries along the coast of New South Wales. Scientists recently analysed 6,200 measurements from 166 coastal estuaries, and found that temperatures had risen by more than 2° C (3.6° F) between 2007 and 2019. Researchers note that certain types of estuaries, such as lagoons, warmed at rates of up to 3.65° C (6.6° F). The Guardian

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By The Numbers

33 Residents of Moura, a Roma settlement in Portugal where around 200 people reside, that tested positive for the coronavirus. Many impoverished Roma communities across the country lack water and other essentials, putting them at heightened risk of contracting the virus. Reuters

13,692 gallons Amount of oily water that has been pulled from the Valdez Marine Terminal in Alyeska, Alaska, following an oil spill at the end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Crews have roped off a section of the harbor and are monitoring the situation to prevent further spread of the oil. Alaska Public Media

Science, Studies, and Reports

NASA satellite images show the deepening decline of the El Yeso reservoir, one of the key water sources for Santiago, Chile. In March 2016, El Yeso held and estimated 219 million cubic meters. Now, the volume of water has decreased to around 99 million cubic meters, of 40 percent capacity. Chile is in the midst of a decade-long drought. NASA Earth Observatory 

On the Radar

Progress on a pipeline connecting Flint, Michigan, to its emergency water source are currently on hold, according to city officials. The Flint City Council was divided 4-4 on whether to award a $14.7 million grant to the L. D’ Agostini & Sons building company to construct the pipeline. Now, either the same resolution can be presented to the council in 30 days, or a new resolution can be put forth at the next general meeting. MLive

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