Water
Krypton 81 helps track ancient water source of Nubian Aquifer, shared by Egypt, Libya, Chad and Sudan; technique could track brine in NM, where radioactive waste is stored
By Felicity Barringer
The New York Times 2011-11-21
EPA to probe fracking sites in PA, CO, LA, ND, TX to measure impact of drilling on entire water lifecycle, from taking water from rivers to sequestering tainted wastewater
By Dina Cappiello
The Associated Press; St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2011-11-03
Dam-building project means switch to water from Calaveras Reservoir for San Francisco area; customers note foul smell, moldy taste caused by Aphanizomenon, an algae
By Peter Fimrite
San Francisco Chronicle 2011-11-02
Texas drought focuses researchers' warning that planners must incorporate vast water requirements of all energy production - except for that derived from wind
By Kate Galbraith
The New York Times 2011-09-18
Major river systems in developing world have enough water for food production, but problems are inefficient use, unfair distribution, says report
By Rudy Ruitenberg
Blooomberg Businessweek 2011-09-28
Without investment, water supply crises will become increasingly common, UN says; recycling, new dams, desalination plants, water policy reforms needed
The Associated Press; The New York Times 2011-08-26
Water limits are close to being reached or being breached in areas of northern China, India's Punjab and western U.S., says report that urges farming overhaul
Reuters; BusinessWorld (Manila, Philippines) 2011-08-24
Floods layer sediment on floor of Mississippi River, slowing traffic and adding costs to imports, exports of corn, soybeans, coffee, oil and coal, but dredging funds are dry
By Cameron McWhirter
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-07-05
Senator Ben Cardin aims for clean water accord, balancing Americans' biggest environmental concern against agriculture, homebuilding, mining industries
By Paul Quinlan
Greenwire; The New York Times 2011-07-01
Severe water shortage along Yangtze River dries lakes, brings farming to standstill, leaves some thirsty - and refocuses attention on mistakes around dam construction
By William Wan
The Washington Post 2011-06-04
Opinion: In "The Big Thirst," author's purpose is to create understanding of humanity's relationship to water in hopes of diverting impending water crisis that need not be
By Kathleen Parker
The Washington Post 2011-05-27
EPA orders ambitious cleanup of Chicago River, urban waterway treated as little more than industrialized sewage canal for 100+ years
By Michael Hawthorne
Chicago Tribune 2011-05-12
Opinion: New Clean Water Act guidelines are first step in restoring safeguards to wetlands, streams threatened by development, pollution; EPA should convert them to rule
By the editors
The New York Times 2011-04-28
Water Footprint Network measures water used to produce goods, services consumed by individual or community
waterfootprint.org 2011-02-28
In case of deja vu, Erin Brockovich battles re-emergence of chromium in drinking water; utility is sending residents bottled water and expresses interest in buying affected homes
By Noaki Schwartz
The Associated Press; Los Angeles Times 2011-03-09
Two bills show debate over how to manage declining aquifers in Texas, where irrigated agriculture is political force that pits conservation-minded officials against water sellers
By Kate Galbraith
The Texas Tribune 2011-03-04
Atlanta residents demand answers about hundreds, even thousands of dollars in monthly spikes in their water bills; problems arose with installation of new, automated water meters
By Scott Zamost and Kyra Phillips
CNN 2011-03-01
Turmoil in Middle East directly linked to unsustainable water, energy use; growing water shortage will require sharing, conserving resources to avoid civic unrest; Yemen is at most risk
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2011-02-20
As lower Mississippi fills with silt from upstream, Louisiana lawmakers press for more federal dredging funds; 60 percent of agricultural products exported go through river's mouth
By Cameron McWhirter
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-02-12
Judge rules Nevada can take $62 million from Clean Water Coalition to cover budget deficit; funds from sewer linking fees once were for defunct wastewater pipeline project
By Ed Vogel
Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV) 2010-12-22
Drinking water in most of 35 cities across U.S. contains hexavalent chromium, a probable carcinogen made famous by film "Erin Brockovich," EWG study shows
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2010-12-18
Coalition of farmers, shippers, state governments press Congress to add tens of millions to Corps of Engineers' budget to ensure annual dredging of Mississippi River
By Cameron McWhirter
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-14
Population growth in Near East, including Iraq, Afghanistan, outpaces gains in agricultural production, making water-scarce region vulnerable to food-supply problems, UN says
By Rudy Ruitenberg
Bloomberg.com 2010-12-07
United Nations asks for $164 million donation to bring in additional water-purification equipment, doctors, medicines to fight cholera epidemic in Haiti
By Frank Jordans
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2010-11-12
EPA asks Halliburton Co., others, to disclose lists of chemicals they use in fracking for natural gas for study on potential threats to drinking water
By Jim Efstathiou Jr.
Bloomberg.com 2010-09-09
Meat processing giant Cargill says multi-million dollar scheme to overhaul its waste water system at Australia slaughterhouse could slash facility's carbon footprint by 17 percent
By Rory Harrington
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-08-27
Mountain-top mining more damaging than urbanization on local water quality, stream composition, researchers learn
By Natasha Gilbert
Nature News 2010-08-09
Temperature-sensitive bacteria found on plants may be part of malleable ecosystem that seeds precipitation and could be affected by crop variety, overgrazing, logging or warming
By Jim Robbins
The New York Times 2010-05-25
University of Nebraska to create center for analysis relating to use of water for agriculture
University of Nebraska 2010-04-20
University of Nebraska receives gift to create centerfor research, education, policy analysis relating to use of water for agriculture
University of Nebraska 2010-04-20
Researchers create tool for better assessing impact on water use of decisions made up and down industrial supply chain, similar to cost or carbon footprint
By Henry Fountain
The New York Times 2010-04-19
Florida subdivision residents lose homes to sinkholes after farmers drain aquifers in bid to save strawberry crops from cold snap
By Barry Newman
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-04-19
Despite evidence of drought causing sun-baked riverbeds and dry wells, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam blame China's dam projects
By Thomas Fuller
The New York Times 2010-04-01
California salmon fishermen, citing $2.8 billion in lost revenue and 23,000 jobs, square off against farmers over water diversion
By Carolyn Jones
San Francisco Chronicle 2010-04-02
Electric utilities lobby furiously against new EPA rules on coal ash, which is spread on crop fields and leaks cancer-causing toxins into drinking water
By Jeff Goodell
Rolling Stone 2010-03-17
Americans worry most about drinking-water pollution, less about soil, air pollution, rain-forest disappearance and biodiversity reduction and least about global warming, poll says
by Jeffrey M. Jones
Gallup 2010-03-16
Within five years, 800 million could be without access to clean drinking water; those without basic sanitation could hit 1.8 billion, World Bank group says
By Howard Schneider
The Washington Post 2010-03-23
Scramble for water in China pits farmers against factories, and people concerned about the country's environment against those worried over shortages
By Steven Mufson
The Washington Post 2010-03-16
Disputes over water use that pit people, industry against wildlife likely to increase in Texas as population expands
By Ana Campoy
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-03-13
Yemenis' craving for qat, a narcotic plant, drives water crisis; in capital city of Sana'a, taps ran dry in summer
By Hugh Macleod and John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2010-02-26
Pentagon-backed researchers create device that uses bacteria to first filter tainted water, and to eat sludge, a byproduct of waste treatment
By Katie Drummond
Wired magazine 2010-02-10
Acidified, iron-poor oceans may cause decline in populations of phytoplankton - critical to food chain
By Jessica Marshall
Discovery News 2010-01-14
Rainstorms boost California's water supply for agriculture after limits caused by drought, protections for delta smelt
By Bettina Boxall
Los Angeles Times 2010-01-27
West Coast storms send water rushing into half-full reservoirs
By Bettina Boxall
Los Angeles Times 2010-01-25
Torrential rains prove that much of needed water falls from sky - trick is catching it
By Susan Carpenter
Los Angeles Times 2010-01-23
Michigan sues to protect lake from invasive species, Chicago's water diversion
By Kari Lydersen
The Washington Post 2009-12-27
California's $11.1 billion bond allows private firms to own, profit from publicly funded water-storage projects
By Wyatt Buchanan
San Francisco Chronicle 2009-12-27
Cities grow, sewers fill, rain falls and waste poisons waterways
By Charles Duhigg
The New York Times 2009-11-22
U.S. tests tap water for only 91 contaminants though hundreds linked to illness with long exposure
By Charles Duhigg
The New York Times 2006-12-16
Drought, irrigation deplete California's farmland aquifers, satellite shows
Science Daily 2009-12-15
Dirty water fuels 4,700 cholera cases in Kenya
Cholera rages in Kenya after drought leaves many people only dirty, germ-infested water to drink. Drought also has left thousands of people malnourished and weak, making them vulnerable to infectious diseases. Infection can occur by taking a sip from a cup used by an infected person; best treatment is rehydration salts to restore fluids. And: It's shameful that amazing advances in technology exist side-by-side with disease, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and other scourges of the Third World (click 'See also').
By Jeffrey Gettleman
The New York TImes 2009-12-04
Drought drops California water allocation to record lows
Three years of drought drops California grower-shippers and municipal water districts 2010 water allocations to 5 percent of contracted water deliveries. But news might not be so dire; before 2009 water delivery season ended, precipitation permitted allocation increase to 40 percent. Lettuce plantings along west side of the San Joaquin Valley were about 5,000 acres, down from more than 30,000 acres just a few years ago, because of drought. And: California's new water policy includes $11-billion bond measure, groundwater monitoring, conservation plan (click 'See also').
By Don Schrack
The Packer 2009-12-03
City, with Great Lakes tap, may offer discount water for jobs
At a time when regions from metro Atlanta to American southwest face acute water shortages, Milwaukee plans to offer discounted water to new companies that create jobs. Milwaukee Water Works utility operates at only a third of its capacity, draws off Great Lakes, which have a fifth of planet's surface supply of freshwater. And: EPA bid to cut ship emissions sets off furious battle in Great Lakes region beset by economic woes (click 'See also').
By John Schmid
Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) 2009-11-02
Water mapping satellite launched in Russia
AOES Medialab
European spacecraft SMOS set to make first global maps of amount of moisture held in soils, quantity of salts dissolved in oceans, and how water is cycled around Earth. Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite is second of eight in European Space Agency's Earth Explorer program - the first, Goce, is mapping variations in gravity; Cryosat, next up, will assess state of world's ice cover. And: Data will be useful in agriculture, water resources management (click 'See also').
By Jonathan Amos
BBC News 2009-11-01
Satellite imaging changing face of water management
As water conflicts for agriculture grow intense, tool that mines data from government satellite images (some of which are on Google Earth) is changing face of water management. Data (click 'See also') have helped settle century-long fight between Colorado and Kansas over Arkansas River, dispute between Idaho irrigation districts, and have eased fears in California that water transfers to L.A., San Diego would increase salinity of Imperial Valley farmland. Data also are crucial to feds' programs that maintain water in streams where steelhead trout, salmon spawn. Project, called METRIC, has been in jeopardy because NASA wasn't planning to include required $100 million thermal infared sensor in next satellite launch, but Western politicians pressured the agency, and it appears that sensor will be included.
By Kari Lydersen
The Washington Post 2009-09-14
Violations of Clean Water Act rampant across nation
One in 10 Americans exposed to drinking water tainted with dangerous chemicals or that fails federal standards. Clean Water Act has been violated more than 506,000 times since 2004 by 23,000-plus firms, facilities. Fewer than 3 percent of violations resulted in fines or other significant punishments. Enforcement lapses were particularly bad under George W. Bush, EPA employees said. Farm pollution, livestock runoff largely unregulated. Best solution is for Congress to hold EPA, states accountable, lawmakers, activists say; others say public outrage is required. And: Interactive database of hundreds of thousands of water pollution records from every state and EPA (click 'See also').
By Charles Duhigg
The New York TImes 2009-09-13
Experts call fresh water the 'new oil,' finite resource
Only 38 percent of UK's total water use is from its own resources; most of remainder is from Spain, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Israel, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, some of which face serious shortages, study shows. Residents consume about 4,645 liters a day in drinking, washing and 'virtual water,' which is used in production of imported food, textiles. Meat and dairy-based diet consumes about 5,000 liters of virtual water a day, vegetarian diet uses about 2,000 liters.
By Felicity Lawrence
The Guardian (UK) 2009-08-20
Irrigation reform needed for future food supply in Asia
Without major reforms in agricultural water use, many developing nations in Asia face prospect of importing more than a quarter of rice, wheat, corn they will need by 2050, irrigation study shows. Already, area is most intensively irrigated in world; South Asia as a whole uses about 250 cubic kilometers of groundwater annually, accounting for almost half the world's total groundwater use. Study doesn't factor in impact of climate change.
International Water Management Institute, Eurekalert 2009-08-17
Citing water scarcity, wheat farmers sue to stop industrial feedlot
Washington state dryland wheat farmers sue to stop nearby industrial feedlot, citing water scarcity. Easterday Ranches Inc., cattle feedlot would pen up to 30,000 head of cattle, using a stock-watering exemption in law to pump up to 600,000 gallons a day. Until state reversed its position in 2005 (click 'See also'), laws required permit for groundwater use to protect people who already have wells and to protect streams that are connected to or replenished by groundwater.
By Richard Roesler
The Spokesman Review (WA) 2009-06-30
Opinion: Turning a skill into life-saving charity work
After epiphany, Scott Harrison, nightclub promoter with natural gift for promotion and for wheedling donations, leaves high life to create charity that provides clean water to save lives (click 'See also). In three years, group has provided clean water to nearly 1 million people in Africa, Asia. His path to success: Ensure that every penny from new donors goes to projects in field, show donors specific impact of their contributions, and leap into new media and social networks.
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York TImes 2009-07-11
Fresh water shortage causes sinkholes near Dead Sea
Dire water shortage made worse by tourism, chemical industries, growing population near Dead Sea, opens hazardous sinkholes. Problem originated in '60s, when Israel, Jordan began diverting water flowing through Dead Sea tributary, the Jordan River (click 'See also). Sinkholes form when subterranean salt layer that once bordered the sea is dissolved by fresh water that follows receding Dead Sea waters. In response, authorities close campground, date groves, naval base, and scrap plans for 5,000 new hotel rooms.
By Joseph Marks
The Associated Press; Times Union (Albany, NY) 2009-06-21
Bacteria in hospital water blamed for death of two infants
Common, deadly bacteria infecting hospital water supply blamed in deaths of two premature infants, sickness of a third in Miami. Hospital urged to initiate monthly checks of water quality, train staff in infection control, closely monitor chlorine levels and use county's twice-yearly chlorine purge. And: Company develops DNA detection system for water-borne pathogens (click 'See also').
By Fred Tasker
The Miami Herald 2009-06-10
New sewage-to-fertilizer ovens not needed, officials say
As final tests begin on pricey sewage-to-fertilizer plant, Chicago area officials say it's not needed. Stickney plant is one of world's largest treatment facilities for human, industrial waste, producing 150,000-plus tons of sludge (industry calls it 'biosolids') annually. And: Early on, 'Black Box' project was seen as alternative to sluicing use of 1 billion-plus gallons of water daily (click 'See also').
By Michael Hawthorne
Chicago Tribune 2009-05-27
At Lake Mead, low-water mark to trigger pipeline vote
If Lake Mead level drops below 1,075 low-water mark, Nevada board will vote on whether to build 300-mile, $3.5 billion pipeline. Lake Mead provides 90 percent of water for Las Vegas. Same elevation on Colorado River will force Nevada, Arizona to reduce water drawn from there. And: With warming weather, Colorado River users will face frequent shortages, study shows; river now provides one-third of Arizona's water (click 'See also').
By Henry Brean
Las Vegas Review-Journal 2009-06-01
Pure artesian well water fuels battle against proposed landfill
In Ontario's Tiny Township, 25-year-old battles continues over whether waterlogged landfill site - over world's most pristine artesian wells that planners say would flush toxins into sewage systems - is appropriate, and worth risk to water. And: Safety of drinking water at risk, say farmers on tractors blockading 'Site 41' (click 'See also').
By Martin Mittelstaedt
The Globe and Mail (Canada); Lake Ontario Waterkeeper 2009-05-04
Colorado OKs limited rainwater capture
Colorado legalizes some precipitation capture from roofs, a practice long considered stealing from those owning water downstream. And: 300,000 beneficiaries now are stewards of public water supply. If resource used responsibly, it could be substituted for some of what is currently being sucked from oversubscribed aquifers, streams, says columnist (click 'See also').
By Jeff Brady
National Public Radio/Morning Edition 2009-06-01
Billionaire farmer controls majority of California water bank
Stewart Resnick, billionaire pistachio and almond farmer, controls private water company that has 48 percent stake in state-developed Kern Water Bank. It's a vast underground reservoir that gathers water from Kern River, California Aqueduct and Friant-Kern Canal in wet years, then sells it during drought. Another 10 percent of water bank is owned by local water district whose board president also is president of the farmer's company, Paramount Farms. And: Who owns water (click 'See also')?
By Mike Taugher
Tri-Valley Herald (Oakland, CA) 2009-05-25
California lacks infrastructure, culture for water conservation
California government pushes water conservation, but lack of residential meters, decades of flat-rate billing, and state, federal projects that have ensured water flow to farms and cities have contributed to culture of water abundance. Fresno residents use around 290 gallons of water per person per day; national average is 100 gallons per day.
By Sasha Khokha
National Public Radio/Morning Edition; KQED 2009-05-26
Calls grow for groundwater regulation in California
California faces growing pressure to regulate groundwater. Critics say refusal could prove catastrophic to state's $36 billion agricultural economy as well as to real estate. Advisory agency recommends regulating groundwater pumping statewide. Issuing emergency drought declaration in February, governor asked local governments and water districts for data on groundwater supplies.
By Felicity Barringer
The New York TImes 2009-05-14
Opinion: Clearing muddle around clean water
Congress, White House must ensure that Clean Water Restoration Act, which protects all waters, becomes law. Original 1972 Clean Water Act was written to protect all waters, wetlands, but Supreme Court narrowed scope, weakened safeguards, confused enforcers, so 20 million acres of wetlands, 60 percent of small streams have been unprotected from developers. And: Fresh water shortage among most daunting challenges, author says (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2009-04-17
Opinion: Siphoning spectacular profits from Florida's aquifers
Despite water shortage, Florida state water managers allow Nestle, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and the like to siphon and bottle nearly two billion gallons annually from fresh springs, aquifers for puny fee, then sell it for a huge per-unit profit. Although agriculture draws billions of gallons from the same sources, few ranches or farms enjoy spectacular profits that water bottlers do. And: Bottling cash in Florida (click 'See also').
By Carl Hiaasen
The Miami Herald 2009-03-08
Politics of rainwater harvests, illegal cisterns in arid Colorado
Ancient practice of capturing rainwater illegal in Colorado. Rainwater, it says, should flow into surrounding creeks and streams, to reach farmers, ranchers, others that have bought waterway rights. Colorado has more claims than water. Study shows 97 percent of rainwater that falls on soil never makes it to streams. Bills in Colorado, Utah propose adjusting for pilot projects, drought-depleted rural areas.
By Nicholas Riccardi
Los Angeles Times 2009-03-18
Drought, agriculture and California's future
As water sources are tapped out and cities grow, California's future seems uncertain. At risk: State's farmers, who lost $300-plus million in 2008, with losses possibly reaching 10 times that this year as 95,000 people lose their jobs; and beverage companies. Currently, 80 percent of state's water goes to farms. And: Water scarcity and climate change (click 'See also').
By Peter Henderson
Reuters 2009-03-10
Water scarcity will trump oil woes in farming, other industry, investors told
Era of cheap and easy access to water is ending, and shortage will be more dire than oil, because it's essential to human survival, investors told. Dwindling water supplies threaten agriculture, electricity suppliers, silicon chip makers. Also at risk are makers of beverages, clothing, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, forest products, and metals and mining. Businesses urged to integrate water into strategic planning. And: Tracking water use (click 'See also').
By Juliette Jowit
The Guardian (UK) 2009-02-26
Argentina's agriculture shrivels as drought persists
Crops die before breaking soil, 1.5 million cattle lost as Argentina's worst drought in 50 years begets agricultural state of emergency. Five-month drought magnifies already-precarious economic situation, expected to cut industry production 15 percent. Of help: Delayed soybean plantings, January rains, existing grain stores from strikes over export taxes (click 'See also').
By Alexei Barrionuevo
The New York Times 2009-02-20
Tracking water use as reserves are depleted, polluted
unep.org
Irrigated agriculture, rapid urbanization and industrial development stress water supplies, the UN says.
With two-thirds global population facing water scarcity by 2025, some firms track 'water footprints.' Hamburger takes 630 gallons; cup of coffee takes 35 gallons. Unilever now using drip irrigation to grow black tea in Tanzania for Lipton tea, tomatoes in California for Ragu tomato sauce. Unilever buys 12 percent of world's commercial black tea and 7 percent of world's tomatoes. And: Mapping water scarcity hot spots (click 'See also').
By Alexandra Alter
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-02-17
Economy, drought batter California farmers
Farmers leave fields fallow, others consider losing their businesses as economic crisis pairs with worsening drought in state's Central Valley. Some reservoirs down to as little as one-quarter of capacity. Ruling to protect endangered minnow could further cut water flow.
By Jim Carlton
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-02-10
Past lead levels in D.C. tap water may risk children's health
Elevated lead levels in tap water from 2001-2003 could jeopardize health of about 42,000 Washington, D.C. children who then were younger than 2 or in utero, study shows. Parents outraged, Council wants probe to see whether public was misled during water crisis (click 'See also'). Blood lead levels and number of potentially affected children both considerably higher than initially reported by city, federal officials.
By Carol D. Leonnig
The Washington Post 2009-01-27
Setting limits of nonstick chemical in drinking water
EPA sets short-term allowances for nonstick chemicals toxins in drinking water at 10 times amount New Jersey set in 2007 for chronic exposure. Perfluorooctanoic acid - PFOA - linked to cancer, animal birth defects, now detected in blood of nearly all Americans, in sea life, polar bears. Eight U.S. firms plan to cut emissions of chemical 95 percent by next year. And: EPA doesn't require water treatment plants to test for PFOA; advisory appears to be linked to recent discovery of contaminated beef from cattle that grazed in Alabama pasture fertilized with sewage sludge. (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2009-01-17
Drought, environmental dilemmas feed California's water woes
Arguing that human needs for water, needs of delta smelt, other fish, waterfowl and rare plants are 'co-equal' goals, advisory panel urges new canal system for Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the main water source for 25 million Californians. And: Third year of drought likely for state with $30-billion-a-year agricultural industry that grows more than half of nation's fruits, vegetables, nuts (click 'See also').
By Kelly Zito
San Francisco Chronicle 2009-01-03
Opinion: Clean Water Act says save fish before money
Millions of fish, other animals harmed annually in power plant cooling water intake. Supreme Court should side with literal interpretation of Clean Water Act (click 'See also'). Technology choices should minimize negative environmental impact before costs.
The editors
The Washington Post 2008-12-03
EPA says OK to mining near streams
Mountaintop removal coal mining - which buries freshwater streams, valleys under debris - wins EPA OK to work within 100 feet of rivers, streams despite agency's findings on hazardous runoff. Selenium - surface mining byproduct - deforms salamanders and worries locals; levels already high in West Virginia's Mud River (click 'See also').
By Scott Finn
National Public Radio/Weekend Edition 2008-12-06
Atlas maps underground reservoirs, many straddling borders
UNESCO
A portion of the UNESCO map, 'Groundwater Resources of the World.'
New map (click 'See also') reveals underground aquifers that hold 100 times the volume of fresh water that flows down rivers and streams around the world at any time. Many water sources stretch beneath borders. Map illuminates declining water tables as agricultural interests pump water out, as well as need for international water-sharing accords.
By Catherine Brahic
New Scientist 2008-10-24
Opinion: EPA water protection would be welcome in coal-mining region
Government's dash to effectively repeal key water protections during mountaintop removal coal mining likely a response to presidential candidates' opposition to environmentally ruinous practice. In 2002, EPA rewrote rules that had prohibited use of mining waste as 'fill' in streams, wetlands. And: Rubble from mountaintop removal fouls drinking water, kills fish (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2008-10-21
For clean drinking water, mending oceans, a toilet manifesto
Barnes & Noble
With drinking water and energy increasingly precious, washing away waste makes little sense, says Rose George in new book. Transforming waste into fertilizer won't work - it is "the most efficient means--short of eating the sludge--of injecting toxic substances directly into the human body," EPA panel said in 1975. Eco-sewage, with two streams, would slash water use by 80 percent.
By Johann Hari
Slate Magazine 2008-10-20
Relaxing rules for dumping rubble near streams
Interior Department readies overhaul of ignored rule designed to protect rivers, streams from mining companies' dumping. Government estimates that 1,600 miles of streams in Appalachia buried in 25 years. Critic decries devastating, irreversible implications. And: Rubble from mountaintop removal fouls drinking water, kills fish (click 'See also).
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-10-18
Witching for water on parched California farmland
With second year of drought already causing $260 million in crop damage and pushing farm layoffs, restrictions on water use, and hard times for tractor dealerships and roadside diners, some California farmers turn to old-fashioned dowsers. Practitioners walk the land, carrying forked willow branches or other objects that tug downward inexplicably at the presence of water.
By Jesse McKinley
The New York Times 2008-10-09
EPA says rocket fuel chemical OK in water at 15 times higher than first said
After White House officials remove scientific data from reports highlighting some risks associated with rocket-fuel chemical, EPA refuses to set drinking-water safety standard, assumes that maximum safe level is 15 times higher than suggested in 2002. Perchlorate linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children and has been found in water in 35 states.
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-10-04
World's largest pump gets big EPA veto
70-year-old Yazoo Pump Project earns EPA veto, to chagrin of locals and two senators. $220 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project would have moved six million gallons water per minute to benefit flood-prone Mississippi Delta farms. And: 'Epitome of pork' would have yielded 14 cents on the dollar (click 'See also').
By Chris Talbott
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2008-09-03
A sweet deal for Big Sugar?
Florida's celebrated decision (click 'See also') to buy U.S. Sugar to restore Everglades may help Fanjul family's Florida Crystals. Critics say $1.7 billion deal is bailout to replace federal props as foreign sugar moves in. Fanjuls control Domino, C&H and other brands, put sugar in everything from packaged foods to pharmaceuticals.
By Mary Williams Walsh
The New York Times 2008-09-13
EPA sets no standards limiting rocket fuel in water
EPA won't set drinking-water standard for perchlorate, a rocket fuel component that has polluted soil, groundwater, drinking water in 35 states and tainted water systems in 26 states. Chemical impairs thyroid, which, in infants, can translate to irreversible loss of IQ, increase in behavioral, perception problems. Congresswoman calls inaction unforgivable and immoral. And: FDA study (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-09-22
Protecting 20 percent of world's fresh surface water
Congress OKs Great Lakes Compact, which prohibits almost any new diversion of water to other places, and requires new conservation standards of border states. Eight-state accord began 10 years ago after Canadian firm sought OK to send tankers of Great Lakes water overseas (click 'See also'). Bottled water exemption worries some.
By Susan Saulny
The New York Times 2008-09-23
Act now to prevent water scarcity in next decades, experts warn
Clean water, reliable sanitation will beat medical intervention in reducing disease, death as climate warms and population grows, experts say, but investment in infrastructure must be doubled. Most vulnerable: Four billion in Africa, Middle East, South Asia. Failure means recurrent floods, droughts, water pollution, erosion, sea level rise, plus undermining of other triumphs, like building schools.
By Juliette Jowit
The Guardian (UK) 2008-09-11
Opinion: Growing food, conserving water can dovetail
California must work toward planned, efficient agricultural sector, long-term protections for land and water resources, and production of more high-valued crops grown with efficient irrigation systems. State must support farmers by implementing policies, incentives that support water conservation and efficiency.
By Heather Cooley and Juliet Christian-Smith
San Francisco Chronicle 2008-09-08
Hedge against parched conditions in California
California creates water bank to buy from upstream agencies and farmers, then sell to thirsty areas in exchange for using less. Governor urges conservation, presses for expansion of water infrastructure. And: Wealthy farmer accuses governor of plan to pipe fresh water around California's fertile San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta (click 'See also').
By Jim Christie
Reuters 2008-09-04
With water rights, community hopes for return to traditional diet
Now that water rights are returning to Native American community after 100-plus years, elders turn to real battle: reversing epidemic rates of diabetes, obesity, alcoholism by recapturing farming tradition. Upstream farms took water that had been used by tribe since 16th century; government replaced fresh foods with shipments of white flour, lard, canned meats and other processed foods.
By Randal C. Archibold
The New York Times 2008-08-31
Dead zones multiplying with agricultural pollution
Ocean's dead zones, where fish can't survive because of nitrogen- and phosphorous-laden fertilizer runoff and burning of fossil fuels, now cluster along eastern coastal U.S., endangering ecosystem, new study finds. One such zone in 1976 cost region's fisheries $500 million-plus. And: Dead zones are paradox of American agriculture: richness on fields, death in the water.
By David Biello
Scientific American 2008-08-15
Scarcity forces Spain to reconsider its water policy
As agriculture, large-scale irrigation, market competition and climate change fuel 'water war,' Spain reconsiders its water policy. Farmers, who use 80 percent of the country's water and now irrigate historically arid crop of olives to boost production, are blamed for tapping up to 1.5 million illegal wells. Desalination offers some hope.
By Christine Spolar
Chicago Tribune 2008-08-18
UK wildlife protection means water price hike
Price for household water headed up for Brits after review shows environmental damage to rivers, wetlands and habitats and threats to wildlife. One water company, required to cut by half the amount it takes from a river supplying 740,000 people in summer, must find alternative source.
By Juliette Jowit
The Guardian (UK) 2008-07-12
Opinion: Sustainable farming would help prevent flood disasters
Mother Nature may send us gully washers, but we have added to the devastation by draining wetlands, plowing up waterways and planting only corn and soybeans. Sustainable agriculture, with its ethic of conservation and stewardship, can help prevent future catastrophes.
By Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris
The Des Moines Register 2008-06-22
Beijing's voracious thirst taps water supplies for miles around
Villagers trek 12 miles for drinking water after Beijing diverts surrounding towns' supply to support itself and Olympic Games. City is sinking after pumping groundwater from underneath. What happens if dams and infrastructure fail on the way to Beijing? And: Water tables are falling in other areas as well (click 'See also').
By Peter Waldman
Portfolio 2008-06-16
Drought in California already affecting produce crops
California crops threatened by drought; worst-hit so far is the San Joaquin Valley (click 'See also' for a geographer's rhapsody of the area). Acreage may not be planted, or crops may not receive water when they need it (tomatoes in June, and not September, for instance), which means fewer jobs and higher produce prices.
The Associated Press; CNN 2008-06-05
Water contamination settlement
Oil companies settle groundwater contamination suit for $423 million plus 70 percent of cleanups over next 30 years. At issue is MTBE, a predecessor to ethanol that oxygenated gasoline and reduced smog, but caused cancer in lab rats and made tainted water smell and taste like turpentine. Six companies, including Exxon Mobil, didn't agree to the deal.
By Jad Mouawad
The New York Times 2008-05-08
Opinion: No breaks for dish cleaners
Sprinkle Cascade detergent into your automatic dishwasher and, in the D.C. area, you're helping kill the Chesapeake Bay. Soap industry has no excuses for lagging on phosphate-free formulations and the deadline that Maryland has set to eliminate them, especially since Colgate-Palmolive has managed to make and market an alternative.
The editors
The Washington Post 2008-05-05
Oasis in the drought
Kathy Lohr/NPR
4,000 acres of wetlands filter water for Clayton County, Ga.
As drought worsens in Georgia, one town is awash in drinking water after creating a Mother Nature-aided system of ponds and wetlands that filter wastewater and return it to reservoirs. A benefit: A nature preserve and the (very) loud singing of frogs on sultry nights. For tips on creating a lush landscape with harvested rainwater at home, click 'See also.'
By Kathy Lohr
National Public Radio 2008-05-01
Fresh water policy vacuum
Barnes & Noble
Jeffrey Sachs, of the Earth Institute, presents low-cost strategies to averting water shortage disasters.
Fresh water shortage is among our most daunting challenges, regionally and globally. Coherent policy requires real leadership, experts say, but water use has been left to municipal and state authorities. Strategies to help avert disaster: storing rainwater in ponds or underground receptacles; recycling wastewater; and replenishing aquifers with treated wastewater or storm runoff.
By Jeneen Interlandi
Newsweek magazine 2008-04-28
Bottling cash
For $230 permit allowing 1.47 million gallons of water a day, Nestle pumps, bottles and sells water from drought-diminished spring over objections of Florida water management team. The Swiss company sells most of the product to neighboring states, who are battling Florida over water use (click 'See also). Florida government doesn't charge for water, but only for processing and delivery; agriculture consumes the most water in state.
By Ivan Penn
St. Petersburg Times (FL) 2008-03-23
Harvesting the rain
bn.com
In 'Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond,' author Brad Lancaster advocates small-scale strategies for capturing abundance of rainwater in the form of a peach, a pomegranate, an apple, wildlife habitat and beauty, and creating oases where water runoff was once a problem. First investment: a shovel.
By Renee Montagne
National Public Radio 2008-01-09
Opinion: Cleaning the seas
With humans fouling 41 percent of the oceans with polluted runoff, overfishing and other abuses, what's needed now is a sustained recovery effort with strong leadership. President George Bush created one of the largest protected marine reserves in the world near Hawaii. He should replicate that achievement elsewhere in American waters and persuade other leaders to do the same, and he must pressure Congress to approve, the UN Law of the Sea.
The editors
The New York Times 2008-03-09
Water divisions
As drought continues, talks flounder between Alabama, Georgia and Florida on out-of-court water-sharing deal.Georgia wants to reserve drinking water for Atlantans; Florida wants to nurture its oyster industry, and Alabama wants to run its power plants and paper mills. Water battle began 18 years ago; Georgia accused of poor planning.
By Stacy Shelton
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (may require subscription) 2008-02-27
Water woes
Water conservation necessary to reduce chance of Lake Mead running dry in as little as 13 years, scientists say. The lake provides 90 percent of the water used in the desert city of Las Vegas but agriculture uses four-fifths of its water source, the Colorado River.
By Adam Tanner
Reuters 2008-02-12
Altered oceans
In 2006 series, writers at The Los Angeles Times explain that pollution and overfishing have altered the basic chemistry of the seas. The oceans now are hospitable for algae, bacteria and jellyfish, but fish, shrimp and marine mammals struggle to live. And overfishing tuna, swordfish, cod and grouper changes the foodchain and removes algae-eaters. Scientist says the world's six billion inhabitants have failed to use homeowner's rule: Be careful what you dump in the swimming pool, and make sure the filter is working.
By Kenneth R. Weiss and Usha Lee McFarling
The Los Angeles Times 2006-07-30
Using less water
With drought expected to extend into 2008, many communities and industries around Atlanta are meeting the state's mandatory 10 percent reduction in water use, but bigger problem is long-term needs of thirsty metropolis and those downstream from federal reservoir.
By Stacy Shelton
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2007-12-11
Water cleanup
Following Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington, Manitoba considers banning dishwasher phosphates, but critics say that that's only a tiny portion of phosphates contaminating Canadian waterways. Other pollutants, including products for cleaning, personal care, water conditioning and fertilizing are targeted as well.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News 2007-11-29
Superfund cleanup
In calculating cleanup for Duwamish River in Seattle, critics say coalition underestimated chinook salmon consumption by Native American tribe and decided that the river would never become source of clams, which are bottom feeders where pollutants settle. And, fish caught from tribe's 70 boats on river are bought by Safeway, a grocery chain.
By Robert McClure and Colin McDonald
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) 2007-11-27
Fewer fish
Salmon runs off the Washington coast and Columbia River were lower than expected during summer; biologists are puzzled and speculate about bad conditions in the far north ocean, where the fish migrate.
By Mark Yuasa
The Seattle Times 2007-11-04
Pollution by plastics
Microscopic plastic pieces in oceans, most from ship-cleaning products and deteriorating larger plastics, are absorbing pollutants, then being ingested by lugworms - which then are eaten by fish, which are eaten by more fish...and the cycle continues, bringing toxins up the foodchain.
By Henry Fountain
The New York Times 2007-10-30
Water shortage
As "exceptional drought" deepens its hold on the Southeastern United States, Atlanta's water reserves shrink to only 90 days and no solution is apparent; farmers harvest parched crops and sell off cattle they can't afford to feed.
By Greg Bluestein
The Associated Press; Tribune News Services 2007-10-20
Water footprint
As population explodes and planet heats, water for drinking and crop irrigation is diminishing, forcing extra energy use to reach remote supply; already, China, India, Africa and American West reserves are drying up, setting stage for people-versus agriculture battles.
By Jon Gertner
The New York Times 2007-10-21
Opinion: Water woe
Scrutinizing food ingredients is crucial, but because the water we drink is the same as the water in our toilets, we tolerate the presence of chemicals that would be banned as food additives; it's time to filter drinking water for all.
By Robert D. Morris
The New York Times 2007-10-03
Not a drop
With seven percent of world's water and 20 percent of its population, China rollicks northward as concerns grow about dwindling water supplies, the worldwide economic impact of reducing wheat farming for conservation, and pervasive pollution of rivers and reservoirs.
By Jim Yardley
The New York Times 2007-09-28
Water problem:
Cholera epidemic, possibly from a sewage-poisoned well, hits northern Iraq, with nearly 4,000 cases suspected; Sulaimaniya juice bars shut down and restaurants told to stop serving vegetables that may have been washed in polluted water.
By Sherko Raouf
Reuters; Scientific American 2007-08-29
Dead zone:
Ethanol craze looms dangerously large for fish and crabs in Chesapeake, since larger acreage planted in nitrogen-needy corn means more fertilizer runoff into water, which spawns growth of oxygen-depriving algae, study reports.
The Associated Press; Business Week 2007-08-27
Opinion: Water problem
Mountaintop removal coal mining, with toxic leftovers shoved into streams, foul residents' water and kill the fish; study traces mining pollution to children's nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and shortness of breath; long-term effects unknown.
By Eric Reece
Orion Magazine 2006-01-01
Price of coal:
In 2000 in Kentucky, a torrent of coal-mining sludge was released when an earthen dam collapsed after a previous leak; the goo, 20 times the volume of the Exxon Valdez's crude oil spill in Alaska, covered vegetable gardens and suffocated fish as it fouled 100 miles of streams and rivers before dispersing at the Ohio River.
By Peter T. Kilborn
The New York Times 2000-12-25
Review: No time
Judging from plastic bottles clogging the landfills and SUVs clogging the highways, the news that we're killing ourselves and our world hasn't kicked in, so that makes "The 11th Hour," an unnerving, surprisingly affecting documentary, essential viewing.
By Manohla Dargis
The New York Times 2007-08-17
Starving whales:
Emaciated grey whales seen off the coast of Baja California may show a crucial break in ocean's food chain; algae mats, home to shrimp-like creatures that whales, walrus and sea ducks feed on, have disappeared as ice melts.
By Leonard Doyle
The Independent (UK)
Disappearing aquifer
To irrigate crops, farmers have pumped billions of gallons annually from the Ogallala Aquifer, a lake under parts of Great Plains states, but now, water table has dropped steeply, forcing new "dryland" methods of farming for conservation.
By Debbie Elliott
National Public Radio
Reviews:
"The Zen of Fish," and "The Sushi Economy," offer lessons in how global economy works, dangers of over-fishing and how it thrives on demand, and why trout might not be the best choice for eating raw (think tapeworms).
By Stuart Biggs
bloomberg.com 2007-08-08
Wheat increase:
With ethanol craze and escalating corn prices taking all the attention, worldwide drought has gone almost unnoticed, but it is driving wheat prices up; breadmakers are paying more for flour and weak dollar makes U.S. wheat attractive.
By Jeff Cox
CNNMoney.com
Hard harvest:
In northeastern Brazil, farmers use simple technologies and great persistence to harvest, pick, raise and slaughter, despite high temperatures, little rain and unfertile soil; they begin with a mud-patch, to hold rainwater to create oases of production.
By Isaura Daniel; translated by Mark Ament
Brazil-Arab News Agency
Saving water
Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Läckeby Water Group join other food, drink producers in UN agreement to use water more efficiently; lack of access to clean water and sanitation undermines humanitarian, social, environmental, and economic goals.
By Ahmed ElAmin
foodproductiondaily.com
OPINION
Current agricultural policies distort food costs, waste billions of taxpayer dollars, and subsidize a handful of large farming operations that raise a few selected crops - and subvert subsistence farmers across the globe by dumping cheap surplus goods at below-market prices.
By Senator Richard Lugar and Representative Ron Kind
The Modesto Bee (CA) 2007-07-15
Food/Farm bill:
It's a $70 billion annual bill, and before, only agribusiness cared, but a tsunami of activists now believes that its subsidies for corn and soy encourage diet-related disease and climate change; instead, they advocate money for sustainable and organic food production, agricultural conservation and for a priority on fresh, local fruits and vegetables.
By Carol Ness
San Francisco Chronicle
Opinion: Proud of rBST:
Despite activists' efforts to bamboozle public, price-conscious customers appear happy buying milk containing synthetic hormone, and squeezing more milk from cows via drugs saves natural resources, reduces corn prices, greenhouse gas emissions and manure production; in a more rational world, customers would choose milk so labeled.
By Henry I. Miller
The New York Times (may require subscription) 2007-06-29