October/November 2023Water News Around the World

Dive into the ever-evolving world of water with our latest roundup of articles highlighting critical issues and innovative solutions. From the use of water fleas to combat chemical pollution to the ongoing challenges faced in places like Maui, Jackson, and Flint, this collection explores the dynamic and pressing concerns surrounding our most vital resource. Stay informed on the global water landscape, where environmental strains, urbanization, and population growth intersect with efforts to safeguard water quality and availability.

Scientists use water fleas to clean chemicals from water

October 3, 2023

Water resources are under strain due to urbanization, population growth and food production, with dangerous chemicals making their way into the environment. While wastewater treatment can make a difference, it only removes a small share of these pollutants. Now, researchers have come up with a solution, using small water fleas. The researchers created a technology that allows them to modify populations of water fleas into wastewater treatment plants, selecting the species based on their chemical tolerance. Read more here.

Maui water is unsafe even with filters

August 19, 2023

Maui water is unsafe even with filters, one of the lessons learned from fires from the beginning of August in California. Many donations of filtered drinking water have been received after Maui's water board issued an unsafe-water alert, saying both the Upper Kula and Lahaina experienced wildfire impacts due to the destruction of structures and loss of water pressure in some areas, allowing harmful contaminants to enter the systems. Read more here.

Across much of the world, water deficits are expected to become the new normal.

October 11, 2023

Across much of the world, water deficits are expected to become the new normal. With rising human populations and growing prosperity, water demand is growing exponentially, but factors like pollution, land use change, industrial development and more are diminishing watersheds, rivers, and lakes. A resulting water deficit will have its own global ramifications for development. What this means is that there are areas where water stress and water scarcity is expanding and intensifying. Most of these places happen in areas that are often poor and fragile. And, these high-impact events are what destroy critical infrastructure. Read more here.

A Year Later, the Water Crisis in Jackson Has Gone From Acute to Chronic

September 7, 2023

After one year in Jackson, Mississippi, the water crisis is still not over, precipitating one of the highest-profile municipal public health crises in recent U.S. history. The federal government has been generous in providing critical funding to repair the system, sending $600 million dollars toward repairing the antiquated water system, but none of this will make any difference if Jackson doesn’t restore the confidence within their residents, many of whom are still buying bottled water. Read more here.

Activists demand change years after Flint water crisis started

August 23, 2023

Seven years later, the Flint water crisis is still not over in Michigan. While the lead levels in Flint's water, currently around 9 parts per billion, aren't high enough for the government to take action, residents won't be satisfied until that number is zero due to the still-occurring contamination. Even the simplest tasks, like brushing your teeth, takes on a whole new complexity when you're avoiding your tap water and having to use bottled water instead. Read more here.