Entries by Codi Kozacek

The Stream, September 12: London “Super Sewer” Development Approved

Infrastructure The British government has approved plans to develop a 25-kilometer “super sewer” in London on the River Thames, which will help stop as much as 30 million tons of raw sewage from overflowing into the river each year, Bloomberg News reported. The sewer is estimated to cost $US 6.5 billion, and construction could begin […]

The Stream, September 11: 90 Percent of U.S. Urban Waterways Contain Pesticide Levels Harmful to Wildlife

United States Approximately 90 percent of urban streams and 61 percent of rural streams in the United States contain levels of pesticides above thresholds that are considered safe for aquatic wildlife, though they are generally safe for humans, according to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, Reuters reported. The percentage of contaminated urban streams […]

The Stream, September 10: Canada’s Mount Polley Mine Continued to Leak Waste Into Water

Pollution Harmful tailings waste from the Mount Polley mine in British Columbia was found to be leaking into nearby rivers on September 4, more than a month after a tailings dam at the site burst and released billions of gallons of tailings, Reuters reported. The provincial government said the company has curbed the leaks now, […]

The Stream, September 9: Detroit Moves to Regional Water System

United States A new regional water system will include Detroit and three counties, including Macomb, Oakland and Wayne, the Detroit Free Press reported. The new system, dubbed the Great Lakes Water Authority, is meant to ease the financial burdens on bankrupt Detroit, though water rates are set to increase for residents. The federal government announced […]

The Stream, September 8: Floods Bring Cooperation Between India and Pakistan

India Both India and Pakistan have offered to assist each other after monsoon rains caused deadly floods in the Kashmir region, Reuters reported. The two countries have long been at odds over Kashmir, but the death of at least 239 people in the floods prompted cooperation. Unlicensed bottled water plants supply just as much water […]

The Stream, September 5: Water Dispute Arises Between Azerbaijan and Dagestan

Water Dispute The Russian Republic of Dagestan has accused neighboring Azerbaijan of taking more than its allotted share of water from the Samur River, leaving Dagestan with inadequate supplies for irrigation, Radio Free Europe reported. Azerbaijan, however, says a persistent drought has resulted in falling water levels in the river. Africa Uganda’s National Water and […]

The Stream, September 4: Severe Water Shortage Looms for Botswana Capital

Water Scarcity Water levels in the reservoir that supplies drinking water to most of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, have fallen to just 9 percent of capacity and are below water supply pumps, Bloomberg News reported. The reservoir has been shrinking for the past two years, supplying one third of demand and prompting water rationing that cuts […]

The Stream, September 3: Mining Threatens Lakes and Rivers in Northern Europe

Pollution More than 300 applications for mining permits have been filed in 2014 in northern European countries including Finland, Norway and Sweden, representing a growing interest in the Arctic’s mineral resources, the Guardian reported. Environmental groups are concerned that mining waste will pollute the region’s pristine waterways, while social groups worry mining could cause cultural […]

The Stream, September 2: Malnutrition Could Rise As Africa Rainfall Changes

Climate Change Changing rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures could force a 40 percent increase in malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2050, according to a new report by the Nairobi-based Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, AlertNet reported. Almost 90 percent of small-scale farmers in the region rely on rainfall to grow crops to produce […]

Lake Erie Algae Bloom Hits Pelee Island, Moves Toward Sandusky

Lake Erie algae alive and well. Photo courtesy T. Archer / NOAA GLERL A bloom of toxic algae is seen around the southern end of Pelee Island, Ontario, on September 4, 2009.Click image to enlarge. Nearly a month after a bloom of toxin-producing algae made the water undrinkable for more than 400,000 people in Toledo, […]

The Stream, August 28: Brazil Drought Threatens Water Supplies For 20 Million People

Water Supply An ongoing, severe drought in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state has prompted rationing for 2 million people in 18 cities and threatens the water supplies of 20 million people, Bloomberg News reported. Nonetheless, elected officials–many up for reelection this fall–are playing down the water crisis. North America’s “water tower”–the Rocky Mountains–is increasingly drying out […]

The Stream, August 26: California Drought Dries Up Water Wells for Hundreds

United States At least 182 households in California’s San Joaquin valley no longer have running water in their homes due to the ongoing drought, prompting bottled water distributions by emergency services, the Associated Press reported. Circle of Blue’s latest story about the drought explains how a well-drilling “free-for-all” by the agriculture industry is behind the […]