The Stream, April 27, 2021: Mexico Is In the Midst of Severe Drought

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN

• A severe drought has spread across much of Mexico as climate change creates unpredictable precipitation patterns.
• A new infrastructure bill could bring much needed relief to dry communities in the American West.
• California ordered Nestle to stop water diversions in San Bernardino National Forest.
• Sudan threatens legal action against Ethiopia if plans to fill a controversial dam move forward.

Millions in urban India lack access to safe, affordable drinking water, a new report finds.

“Amid the scarcity of water, it is very important to know about the purity of water available for consumption.” – Manjari Chandra, nutritionist. A recent UNICEF India report found that 50 million people lack access to safe, affordable drinking water in urban India. The Hindustan Times reports that a majority of the population resides in households where water supplies are privately owned and operated. These households may not understand how their water could be contaminated before it reaches their taps. Major sources of water like tube wells and hand pumps often carry waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.

IN RECENT WATER NEWS

In Case You Missed It:  

HotSpots H2O: St. Vincent Volcano Still Erupting With No End In Sight – Ash and gas spewing from La Soufriere volcano sparked a humanitarian emergency this month on the Caribbean islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as frequent eruptions interfered with the island’s drinking water system and forced thousands of people to leave their homes.

What’s Up With Water – April 26, 2021 – This week’s episode covers a new poll that shows drinking water pollution as a top environmental concern for Americans, a proposal to create a grading system for water in Louisiana and a severe drought that is rekindling fears over groundwater scarcity in California.

Federal Infrastructure Bill Could Benefit Dry Western Communities

Deteriorating infrastructure in the United States’ rural western communities could be saved by a federal infrastructure bill, Deseret News reports. President Biden’s recent infrastructure plan called for broad changes to water infrastructure, as did the counterproposal put forth by Senate Republicans. Seth Arens, a researcher for Western Water Assessment, said western communities could benefit from funding for water storage and water conservation efforts.

• In context: In Broad Strokes, Biden Infrastructure Plan Sketches a Future for Federal Water Spending

TODAY’S TOP WATER STORIES, TOLD IN NUMBERS

85 PERCENT

The Associated Press reports that 85 percent of Mexico is experiencing drought. Mexico City, the nation’s capital, is in the midst of its worst dry spell in 30 years.

20 DAYS

Nestle was ordered to halt unauthorized natural spring water diversions in San Bernardino National Forest by California’s Water Resources Control Board. Reuters reports that after a probe revealed multiple violations and depletion of resources, the board said last Friday that Nestle has 20 days to comply with the request before a final order is issued.

ON THE RADAR

Sudan’s irrigation minister Yasser Abbas said the country may take legal action against Ethiopia if plans to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam move forward without approval from Sudan and Egypt, Al Jazeera reports. Negotiations around filling and operating the controversial dam have stood at a standstill for nearly a decade as Ethiopia and Egypt fear it could put their own Nile water supply at risk.

Jane Johnston

Jane is a Communications Associate for Circle of Blue. She writes The Stream and has covered domestic and international water issues for Circle of Blue. She is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University, where she studied Multimedia Journalism and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. During her time at Grand Valley, she was the host of the Community Service Learning Center podcast Be the Change. Currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jane enjoys listening to music, reading and spending time outdoors.