Water utility news covering municipal water systems, infrastructure investment, drought response, rates, and drinking water quality.
A study led by Kai Liu at the Chinese Academy of Sciences predicts over half of global freshwater reservoirs will be 'functionally dead' by 2060 due to sediment buildup. Australia and Spain face the worst impacts, with nearly 85% and 75% of reservoirs affected, respectively. Each decade, over 7% of storage capacity is lost, threatening water supplies for over 2 billion people.
The Israeli government approved a long-term plan allowing private entities to develop large desalination plants. The plan targets 2.3 billion cubic meters annually by 2050 and 2.75 billion by 2075, addressing population growth and climate change.
Metro Vancouver implemented Stage 3 water restrictions due to the First Narrows Crossing pipe being out of service and early snowpack melt. Reservoirs are at typical levels but expected to draw down sooner than usual. Restrictions will be reassessed when the pipe returns at end of July.
Sindh's water crisis deepens as Kotri Barrage reports 57% flow reduction and overall deficit rises from 22% to 39% in two weeks. Balochistan also suffers 71% reduction at Garang Regulator. Punjab continues overdrawing via Chashma-Jhelum link canal, drawing 16,470 cusecs versus Kotri's 11,645. IRSA plans to adjust shortages, opposed by Sindh.
This commentary argues that sewage contamination of drinking water in Indian cities stems from systemic failures in aging infrastructure, intermittent water supply, and poor integration of local knowledge into institutional decisions. It contends that managing contamination risk requires simultaneous attention to both water supply and sewage systems, rather than isolated fixes.
DC Water's board voted 8-3 to remove CEO David Gadis after criticism over a January sewage spill that released 240 million gallons of raw wastewater into the Potomac River. Gadis will remain during a transition period as the board searches for a successor.