Entries by Sarah Haughn

Colorado Supreme Court: Water laws must be transparent

/in , , /by

ALAMOSA, Colorado – A significantly water-stressed state, Colorado takes a step forward as it establishes a standing Water Court Committee as part of its Supreme Court. According to the Valley Courier, the committee just released its first report, “Timely, Fair and Effective Water Courts.” The report sets out nine recommendations. Among them, the committee suggests […]

“Virtual water” does little for Palestinians

/in , , , /by

JERUSALEM – The drought in the Middle East continues to define tensions between Israel and Palestine. While World Health Organization statistics show that Palestinians consume three times less water than their Israeli neighbors, Palestinians also access only one-third of the WHO’s recommended daily amount. According to the BBC, the issue is control. Israel needs water […]

Sanitation shortcomings spotlighted at World Water Week

/in , , /by

STOCKHOLM – Concern over sanitation emerges as a primary focus at this year’s water summit in Sweden. Stockholm International Water Institute’s executive director, Anders Bertnell, calls the state of sanitation across the globe “one of the world’s greatest scandals.” As experts in the water sector deliberate over the future of the resource, as well as […]

Pine Ridge water supply no longer a pipe dream

/in , , /by

PIERRE, South Dakota – A ceremony in Wanblee celebrates the materialization of a pipeline that is to provide Missouri River water to at least 52,000 people — including those who live on the Pine Ridge reservation, the Fremont News reports. Called Mni Wiconi, the federally authorized undertaking began two-decades ago. Mike Watson, project sponsor and […]

Southern California’s behemoth pipeline nears completion

/in , , , /by

SAN BERNARDINO, California – Nearly four miles of a 44-mile pipeline that will eventually provide Southern California with water is expected to be finished on Wednesday. According to the San Bernardino Sun, a $9 million German tunneling machine should soon emerge from beneath the San Bernardino mountain range. “This has been an incredible journey, an […]

Arsenic levels in drinking water increase risk of diabetes

/in , /by

WASHINGTON – Millions of people across the U.S. may be drinking water that actually increases their chance of contracting type 2 diabetes. According to AFP, a recently published study from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health concludes that “arsenic could influence genetic factors that interfere with insulin sensitivity and other processes, or could contribute […]

ITT, SustainAbility discuss water crisis solutions during Stockholm “Watermark” session

/in /by

[flv:ITT_WATERMARK.flv 320 181]Original video available online at ITT Watermark STOCKHOLM – This year’s World Water Week convened a panel of communications and water experts from ITT and SustainAbility to discuss solutions to the global water challenge. During the panel, ITT — a high-technology, engineering and manufacturing firm — discussed its recently announced philanthropy project. Called […]

“No water, no sex”: An interview with Veit Helmer, director of film Absurdistan

/in , , /by

During an interview with Circle of Blue, German director Veit Helmer discusses his recently released film, Absurdistan. The film, which Helmer also co-wrote and produced, is his third feature. A race against time and a battle between the sexes, Absurdistan takes a humorous look at how water shortages impact culture, gender, and daily life. The […]

Thirsty Atlanta to Battle Southeast States over Lake Lanier Water Supply

/in , , , , /by

For nearly twenty years Florida and Alabama have turned a critical eye toward Atlanta’s water habits — especially, the city’s persistent tapping of Lake Lanier. But two court cases should soon determine who has rights to which water source and why. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a U.S. District Court in Florida is set to […]

Water Thieves Are Terrorists, Declares Australian Premier

/in , , /by

Australia’s Murray-Darling river basin is drying up. As the water levels drop, South Australia’s Premier Mike Rann declares that diversion from the basin is an act of environmental terrorism and should be treated as a crime against the Australian people. “It is a criminal offence, and anyone siphoning water off illegally, in my view, should […]