(August 24, 2006) In 2000, experts predicted that by 2025 one-third of the world’s population would be affected by water scarcity. The latest findings show that that forecast had come true by 2005.
River endangered once again by chemical spill
(August 24, 2006) Environmental protection officials in Jilin province dispatched thousands of police to build three dams on the Manghe River in a bid to keep a five-kilometre-long chemical pollution belt from reaching the nearby Songhua River.
Hydropower accident kills seven in SW China province
(August 24, 2006) An accident at Shuanglong hydropower station near the city of Yibin in Sichuan swept seven workers to their death, left one person missing and injured six others.
China tries to rein in reports on disasters
(August 24, 2006) A proposed law that would restrict reporting on emergencies looks to many Chinese journalists like a desperate move from a government nervous that current measures aren’t enough to contain the country’s increasingly independent newspapers.
China pours £70bn into rescuing its water supply
(August 24, 2006) The water in China is unfit for drinking, the government admitted, as it announced plans to spend £70 billion (US$132 billion) over five years on sewage and water treatment facilities.
SOE chiefs could lose their jobs
(August 23, 2006) In an annual examination of the performance of state-owned enterprises, Sinohydro Corp. — which is involved in dam-building on the Salween River in Burma — was one of four companies downgraded because of safety or pollution accidents.
Experts: Gas leak might be one cause of dry weather
(August 23, 2006) A methane leak from a natural gas field outside Chongqing in southwest China was partly the cause of the area’s worst drought on record, an atmospheric scientist claimed yesterday.
Aquatics parasite affects ‘1.5 million’
(August 23, 2006) Medical authorities in China seeking to prevent diseases caused by parasites have issued warnings about the danger of eating raw or undercooked freshwater seafood.
A global problem: How to avoid war over water
(August 23, 2006) ‘Improving the efficiency of water use and encouraging conservation through pricing and more efficient technologies in agriculture and industry would help reduce scarcity.’
Worst drought in 50 years goes on
(August 22, 2006) Sizzling temperatures and the worst drought in 50 years will continue to ravage southwest China’s Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality despite showers that started on Sunday.
Rainfall brings only brief respite to drought-hit regions
(August 22, 2006) Rain brought some relief from the mainland’s worst drought in 50 years to Chongqing and Sichuan province yesterday, but government officials cautioned it was too early to announce an end to the disaster.
New anti-corruption group aims to cleanse water business
(August 22, 2006) Corruption is draining the water sector, says the Water Integrity Network, a new organization launched to fight the dirty business.
New alliance seeks to fight water sector corruption
(August 22, 2006) Water experts, NGOs and businesses are teaming up in the Water Integrity Network to fight corruption feared to be siphoning off billions of dollars from projects to supply drinking water to the Third World.
China’s urban water supply threatened by pollution, poor management
(August 22, 2006) A senior Chinese official says pollution and industrial mismanagement are threatening water supplies in nearly 300 cities. The government is planning to spend $125 billion in the next five years to try to fix the problem.
China to build earthquake warning system at Three Gorges Reservoir area
(August 22, 2006) A network of 21 digital earthquake-monitoring stations is to be set up in the Chongqing section of the Three Gorges reservoir by the end of next year, to ‘prevent damage caused by earthquakes and other disasters.’
Patricia Adams
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