scarcity
Newsletter
Texas chemical plant intensifies water scarcity issues with new hydrogen project
In South Texas, a chemical company's plan to use river water for hydrogen production threatens local water supplies.
In short:
- Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc. secured the last available water from the Nueces River to produce hydrogen and ammonia, raising drought concerns.
- The project, supported by federal subsidies, aims to replace fossil fuels but faces criticism from local officials over water usage.
- Corpus Christi residents face water-use restrictions as new industrial demands exceed the city's dwindling water reserves.
Key quote:
"Increased water drawn solely from the Nueces River system could dramatically increase the potential for scarcity."
— Ryan Skrobarczyk, director of intergovernmental relations, Corpus Christi
Why this matters:
The large quantities of water withdrawn from rivers for hydrogen production can impact local ecosystems. Reduced water flow can disrupt the habitat of aquatic organisms, leading to declines in fish populations and other wildlife. In addition, the withdrawal of water for industrial use can create water scarcity issues, especially in areas already facing water stress due to factors like drought or overuse.
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Credit: Brad Weaver/Unsplash
Alberta braces for water scarcity as fracking intensifies
As Alberta anticipates a severe drought, the oil and gas industry faces warnings of limited water availability due to extensive use in fracking,
In short:
- Fracking in Alberta consumes billions of litres of water, permanently removing it from the water cycle.
- With Alberta on the brink of an intense drought, there's growing concern over water allocation among municipalities, industries, and agricultural sectors.
- The Alberta Energy Regulator has alerted oil and gas companies about potential water shortages, emphasizing the critical situation in southern Alberta.
Key quote:
"The water used in hydraulic fracturing is 'unrecoverable' to the environment; it is all removed from the active water cycle."
— Renato Gandia, spokesperson for the Alberta Energy Regulator
Why this matters:
The fracking process is water-intensive, requiring millions of gallons of water per well, which can worsen water scarcity in drought-prone areas. The large volumes of water used in fracking become contaminated with chemicals and cannot be easily reintegrated into the water cycle, leading to concerns about the sustainability of water supplies.
In Pennsylvania, more than 5,000 wells in the state were injected with 160 million pounds of undisclosed, “trade-secret” chemicals, which potentially include PFAS.
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www.wbur.org
Driven by climate change, desalination researchers seek solutions to water scarcity
The state of California has dedicated $34 million for eight desalination facilities across the state amid growing concerns about water scarcity in the U.S.
www.csmonitor.com
One border crisis averted? How Juárez and El Paso became sister cities
As water scarcity fuels conflicts around the world, sister cities along the US-Mexican border have found mutual success by working together rather than turning against each other.
ensia.com
Can the Great Lakes continue to fend off an increasingly thirsty world?
A 2008 interstate compact prevents distant dry places from siphoning off Great Lakes water. But will the agreement hold up in the face of growing demand?
e360.yale.edu
Instead of more dams, communities turn to reusing wastewater
With the era of dam building coming to an end in much of the developed world, places such as California and Australia are turning to local and less expensive methods to deal with water scarcity, including recycling wastewater, capturing stormwater, and recharging aquifers.
www.circleofblue.org
Water scarcity looms in London’s future
The city’s water demand is expected to exceed supply within the next decade.
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