Entries by Kayla Ritter

The Stream, February 14: Norovirus Outbreak at Pyeongchang Olympics Linked to Water Contamination

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The Global Rundown A norovirus outbreak that sickened nearly 200 people at the Pyeongchang Olympics is linked to contaminated cooking water. Cape Town pushes Day Zero back to June 4 as South Africa declares a national disaster due to drought. Cyclone Gita devastates Tonga, causing widespread flooding and flattening homes and government buildings. A recent […]

The Stream, February 13: Philippine President Threatens to Shut Down Popular Tourist Island Due to Water and Sewage Mismanagement

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The Global Rundown The Philippine President threatens to close tourist hotspot Boracay as overdevelopment turns the island into a “sewer pool.” Data gathered from a remote area of the South Indian Ocean reveals an alarming amount of plastic contamination. A multi-million dollar project connects researchers with urban officials in an effort to build resilient cities. […]

HotSpots H2O, February 12: Spotlight on Drought and Unrest in Iran

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Scarce rainfall and poor water management have led to prolonged drought in Iran. As the dry spell continues, water shortages could spark further unrest in the country.

The Stream, February 9: California Opts to Build a One-Tunnel Water Delivery System

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The Global Rundown California decides to build one delta tunnel after failing to raise the $17bn needed for a two-tunnel water delivery project. South Africa could declare a national disaster as drought spreads beyond Cape Town. A study finds that global warming increases flood risks in central and western Europe. Shelling damages a major water […]

The Stream, February 8: Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Leaves 40,000 Homes Without Water in Taiwan

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The Global Rundown A magnitude 6.4 earthquake rocks Hualien, Taiwan, leaving 40,000 homes without water. Thousands of residents in Jakarta, Indonesia, are forced to evacuate after the release of floodwaters from an upstream reservoir. Scientists confirm that the 2014-2015 outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Flint, Michigan, was caused by low chlorine levels in the municipal […]

HotSpots H2O, February 7: Spotlight on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

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Since August 2017, nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled persecution in Myanmar following widespread, brutal attacks against the Rohingya community.

The Stream, February 6: Cape Town’s Day Zero Pushed to Mid-May Following Decline in Agricultural Water Use

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The Global Rundown Cape Town officials push Day Zero to May 11, citing a decline in agricultural water usage. Residents of Jakarta, Indonesia, brace for floods as the government opens sluice gates on a major upstream reservoir. Four hospitals in Manchester, England, halt operations due to a water main leak. China names several environmental goals, […]

The Stream, February 5: Floodwaters Released from Chinese Dam Submerge Cambodian Village

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The Global Rundown An entire village in Cambodia is submerged by floodwaters released from a Chinese-built dam. Moderate drought sets in across a third of the United States. The Congo Republic moves to dissolve its water and power utilities and replace them with public limited companies. Nicaragua is ordered to pay for environmental damages done […]

The Stream, February 2: Drinking Water in Rockford, Michigan May Have Highest PFAS Levels in the U.S.

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The Global Rundown Test results show that Rockford, Michigan, may have the highest level of PFAS contamination in U.S. drinking water. Scientists find that coastal waters are absorbing an increasingly large amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Cape Town residents are asked to cut water consumption to 50 liters per person per day. Namibia reports its […]

The Stream, February 1: Half of U.S. Military Bases Worldwide Are Threatened by Climate Change

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The Global Rundown Drought, flooding, and other natural disasters threaten half of U.S. military bases worldwide, according to a Pentagon report. Taps are on the verge of running dry in several major global cities, including Mexico City, Mexico; Melbourne, Australia; and Kabul, Afghanistan. Researchers find that trees in Australia ‘sweat’ to survive extremely hot, dry […]

The Stream, January 31: FEMA Cuts Water Aid to Puerto Rico

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The Global Rundown The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) halts food and water aid to Puerto Rico. Cape Town pushes Day Zero back to April 16 following a week of improved water conservation. Thousands of Texas residents are still in temporary housing five months after Hurricane Harvey.  A sanitation campaign in Bangladesh improves health, […]

HotSpots H2O, January 30: Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan Break Stalemate on Nile Dam Talks

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The World Health Organization (WHO) prioritizes water, sanitation, and hygiene in embattled South Sudan.