Circle of Blue WaterNews

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: deadly protests in Iran, low water in Argentina's Parana River restricts farm exports, Saudi Arabia suspends selling a stake in the world's largest desalination plant, and Lake Powell hits a record low.

This is an excerpt from Circle of Blue's July 12, 2021 episode of What's Up With Water. The acceleration of disaster is repeating worldwide, in part because vulnerable people and developments are moving into terrain that is hazardous.  Landslides in the unstable Himalaya mountains in recent years have demolished newly built hydropower stations and killed hundreds. Over 200 were dead or missing thi...

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. Stories this week: a controversial oil pipeline in Memphis area is cancelled, the Chinese vice premier calls for environmental protections in the Yellow River basin, and an exclusive CoB story on the strain of constant disasters.

This is an excerpt of the June 28, 2021 episode of What's Up With Water. This year, the intensely dry conditions gripping the American West and Upper Midwest are well past the brown hills stage. Nine western states have some form of drought in nearly 90 percent of their area. More than a quarter of the region is considered to be in exceptional drought, which is the worst category in the U.S. Droug...

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from "Circle of Blue." This week: The killing of an Indigenous activist in Mexico and unsustainable groundwater use in Arkansas. Plus, an exclusive CoB feature on the widespread consequences of drought.

This is an excerpt of the June 21, 2021 edition of What's Up With Water. On Memorial Day, while many Californians were celebrating the unofficial start to summer, the residents of a house off of County Road 200 were contemplating a loss. That day, the homeowners in northern Glenn County submitted an anonymous report to a state database. It said that their drinking water well was on the verge of sp...

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. THis week: a controversial dam in the Nile basin, groundwater depletion in Iran, and drought impacting water supplies in Iowa. Plus, a CoB exclusive on dry wells in California.

This is an excerpt of the June 14, 2021 edition of What's Up With Water. Microscopic phytoplankton, which are the foundation of the marine food chain, are some of the world’s most abundant and ancient organisms. Though essential to ocean life, they produce plenty of drawbacks, too. When they cluster along the coast, certain species paint the nearshore waters in a palette of fiery reds and mossy gr...

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: an investigation of the deadly Uttarakhand avalanche that happened in February, a Canadian town might get clean water for the first time in 20 years, and PFAS in rain samples in the Great Lakes. Plus, an exclusive CoB feature on a toxic threat to the world’s coastlines.

Circle of Blue reports on a shrinking Lake Mead.

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: oxygen depletion in lakes, China flood risk, and dams located near toxic waste sites. Plus, a CoB exclusive feature on "water savings accounts" in Lake Mead.

This is an excerpt of the May 24, 2021 edition of What's Up With Water. Frank Picozzi, the mayor of Warwick, Rhode Island, wants $10 million to replace water and sewer pipes. In Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards floated the idea of $300 million for water and sewer infrastructure. Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, meanwhile, is putting $250 million into upgrading his state’s water systems and connectin...

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: drought in Taiwan, carbon emissions from dam reservoirs, and dirty water tanks in the US. Plus an exclusive CoB feature on water infrastructure investments from the American Rescue Plan.

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. Stories this week on Great Lakes water levels, the deep fingerprints that drought left on Australia's rivers, and failure to plan for climate adaptation. And an exclusive CoB feature on dry conditions in the American West.

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week - water and sewer utility privatization in Brazil and a legal test of the rights of nature in California. Plus, a CoB exclusive feature on financing innovations that are changing the shape of water, sanitation, and hygiene access around the world.

This is an excerpt of the May 3, 2021 edition of What's Up With Water. In December, when Congress completed the 2021 budget, lawmakers added more funding to help low- and middle-income Americans withstand the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to a second round of stimulus payments, lawmakers included over $600 million for households that were behind on their water bills. It was the first time that...

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. Stories this week on financing a canal around Istanbul, how the pandemic reduced the rate of snow melt in South Asia, an unstable glacial lake in Tibet and the threat of historic drought in California. Plus CoB on the status of federal aid for household water debts.

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: a Gallup poll about drinking water pollution, Louisiana lawmakers wanting to create a report card for drinking water systems, and concerns about dry wells this summer in California. Plus an exclusive CoB story on the risk of dry wells globally.

This is an excerpt of the April 19, 2021 edition of What's Up With Water. Circle of Blue looks at a report on California’s drinking water systems showing that hundreds are below health standards, and hundreds more are at risk. In 2018, when California lawmakers were debating a funding package for clean drinking water, one of things they didn’t know was the extent of the need. The State Water Resou...

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: Stories on the volcanic eruption in St. Vincent, drying of Dhanauri wetlands in India, and $205M settlement in Delaware over air and groundwater contamination from a chicken processing plant. Plus a CoB exclusive feature on failing water systems in California.

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: drought in Taiwan, dry conditions in California, and PFAS lawsuits. Plus and exclusive CoB feature on federal study of PFAS exposure and viral illness.

The Biden administration’s historic pitch to remove all lead drinking water pipes is part of a $111 billion proposal for water systems.

Your "need to know" news of the world's water from Circle of Blue. This week: An election in Greenland could affect mining; groundwater as a factor in ocean pollution; and a massive restoration project in Louisiana. Plus a CoB exclusive feature on President Biden’s infrastructure plan and what’s in it for water.

A critical juncture is reached for providing water to state’s rural communities

In Albania, a campaign to stop hydropower development on the Vjosa River has received international attention.  In South Asia last week, India and Pakistan met for the first time in over two years in an effort to resolve issues under the Indus Waters Treaty.  This week, Circle of Blue reports on a critical juncture for Michigan’s rural water systems, which now must reckon with decades of underinve...