Published on August 11th, 2012 | by Heather Carr0
The Week in Water: Aug 4-10, 2012
The week in water brings you blue living ideas and news from around the web.
The NYC Ironman triathlon might be reduced to a biathlon, after a forty-year-old sewer pipe ruptured and dumped raw sewage into the Hudson River. The pipe has been repaired and the river has been declared safe because the sewage is assumed to have dissipated by now. However, the race organizers are awaiting tests before deciding if the river is safe enough for swimming.
Water shortages in Kenya are fueling a crime problem. More than 16,000 water thefts were reported to Kenya police last year. Some of the crimes involve thieves disconnecting pipes and selling the water they steal; others are breaking and entering, then stealing containers of water from homeowners.
Portland, Oregon is considering fluoridating their water. They’re one of the few major metropolitan areas without fluoridated water and Oregon ranks low in dental health.
We often hear that aquifers are being depleted faster than they can refill, but which aquifers and by how much? The Washington Post has the map.
There is strength in diversity. Grasslands with a mix of grass species are better able to weather the tough times. During a drought, certain grasses last longer and keep the soil in place and microbes feeding. These grasses don’t necessarily flourish in the good years, but keeping them in the grasslands will make the pastures stronger in the long run.