The Stream, February 26, 2021: Millions of Texans Still Face Water Disruptions

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN

• More than a million Texas residents still lack complete access to clean water.
• Forever chemicals affect the water supply of thousands near an Arizona Air Force base.
• The Cherokee Nation invested more than $1 million in water infrastructure projects.
• Egypt says it supports a proposal by Sudan to form an international committee to negotiate the filling of a controversial Ethiopian dam.

Bosnia’s rivers are filling up with trash faster than authorities can clean them.

“This is a problem of huge proportions. I am appealing on all institutions and everyone who can help to join the (clearing) process.” – Dejan Furtula, a member of the local environmental group Eko Centar Visegrad. The Associated Press reports that tons of garbage are floating down Bosnia’s rivers and endangering human health and the ecosystem. On the Drina River, trash is piling up faster than authorities can clear it out. Many countries in the Western Balkans face other environmental crises, including intense air pollution.

IN RECENT WATER NEWS

Congress on Track to Approve Millions More in Federal Funding for Water Debt Relief

Even before an initial round of funding is distributed to states and tribes, Congress is preparing to add another $500 million to a first-ever federal assistance program for low-income households that owe money to their water departments.

The House Budget Committee on Monday marked up President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” a procedural move that sets the table for a House vote by the end of the week.

The relief package includes $500 million to assist low-income households who are behind on their water bills.

In Case You Missed It:  

Michigan Rivers Changing Due to Climate Disruption – Rivers and streams across the upper Midwest are warming.

Climate Change is Affecting The King of Fish You Can Catch in Michigan’s Inland Lakes – Anglers and researchers are noticing a number of changes on inland lakes in the upper Midwest.

The Future of Lake Superior with Climate Disruption – Climate change is affecting Lake Superior in some volatile ways.

Like Developing Nations, Texas Confronts Lingering Water Crisis – More than 1,100 water suppliers affected, nearly half the state’s residents scavenge for clean water.

More Than A Million Texans Still Face Water Disruptions

As of Wednesday, more than 1.4 million Texans still faced water disruptions after winter storms took down the state’s power grid and water services last week. Smaller communities and apartment dwellers face the most difficulties, the Texas Tribune reports. The storms damaged plumbing systems in apartment buildings across the state but the exact number of units is unknown, according to the Texas Apartment Association. Experts estimate that damage from the storm will cost billions.

In context: Texas Winter Storm Cripples Power, Water System

TODAY’S TOP WATER STORIES, TOLD IN NUMBERS

6000 PEOPLE  

High levels of the forever chemicals PFOA and PFOS were found in the drinking water near Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the Associated Press reports. The chemicals impacted the water supply of around 6,000 people. The U.S. Air Force began distributing bottled water to affected residents Tuesday morning.

$1.3 MILLION

The Cherokee Nation invested $1.3 million in projects ranging from upgrading water distribution lines and water storage, replacing water treatment plant equipment, and providing a generator for water wells. KTUL reports that the projects will serve more than 18,000 people in 10 counties throughout the reservation in Oklahoma.

ON THE RADAR

Egypt has endorsed a Sudanese proposal that the United States, European Union, United Nations, and African Union form an “international quartet” to facilitate negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Associated Press reports. Sudan proposed the committee earlier this year after talks between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia failed. Earlier this month, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abddalla Hamdok said the dam threatens roughly half of the country’s population.

In context: HotSpots H2O: Tensions Rise in Horn of Africa as Ethiopia Fills Controversial Dam

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.