BLUE DIGEST 22-06-2025

Every day the most important news on water and sanitation from around the world, compiled by the Blue Community Network, defending water as a common, public good and a human right.

Today: BottledWater, Bulgaria, BurkinaFaso, Cholera, DRCongo, Europe, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, India, IvoryCoast, Mali, Netherlands, Niger, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Togo, UK, WaterConflicts, WaterCrisis

India says it will never restore Indus water treaty with Pakistan

DR Congo: The Water Distribution Authority facing its challenges

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Water Distribution Authority (Regideso) produced a total volume of 336,284,849 cubic meters of water in 2024, generating revenues of 464.8 billion Congolese francs (approximately 163 million US dollars). The announcement was made by the general director of the public company, David Tshilumba, during the official presentation of the financial statements held on Thursday, June 19, 2025 in Kinshasa.
This initiative is part of a stated commitment to transparency and accountability in a vital sector where the needs of the population remain largely unmet.

Read Financial Afrik / Tags DRCongo

The Sahel: Water Management as a Source of Conflict Between Herders and Farmers

Against the backdrop of ongoing security crises, water has become a key issue for local populations in the Sahel. It can even lead to conflict between communities, particularly between farmers and herders. Recurring food crises, combined with the accelerating effects of climate change and desertification, are putting increasing pressure on natural resources, particularly water. Against this backdrop, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launched the ‘Water for Peace’ initiative. The project aims to ensure sustainable water management for the benefit of all local stakeholders.

Read rfi / Tags: Niger – BurkinaFaso – Mali – Ghana – Togo – IvoryCoast – Benin – WaterConflicts – WaterCrisis

UK: Water supply ‘getting extremely low’, company warns

Kent and Sussex residents have been warned to only use water for essential uses after rising temperatures sparked a surge in demand.
Residents in Sussex and Kent have been told by Southern Water and South East Water that tanks in the counties have been hit by the rising temperatures in the region in the past week.
South East Water say that 661 million litres of water was used on 19 June, while Southern Water warned that Sussex has had less than half of its usual rainfall for the past six months.

Read BBC / Tags: UK

Gabon: Libreville ends decade-long water crisis with new station

Syria: Decrease in the Euphrates River water level increases pollution rate

According to a report by the National Water Center, pollution levels have increased by 5% due to the decrease in the water level of the Euphrates River. The Raqqa Water Directorate is taking measures to address this situation.
The water level in the Euphrates River is falling every day, especially in Lake Euphrates, whose level has dropped to 6 meters. As a result, drinking water has also become contaminated. In response, the Raqqa Water Directorate is taking measures to combat the pollution.
A large population in the city of Raqqa and its surrounding countryside meets its needs from the water of the Euphrates River. After being desalinated, the river water is distributed throughout the city by means of dynamos.

Read ANF News / Tags: Syria – WaterCrisis

Water and sanitation access shapes cholera burden in low- and middle-income countries. Peer-Reviewed Publication

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) include targets for safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), which are critical in preventing cholera, a persistent health threat in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) launched a global strategy titled Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030, which aims to reduce cholera-related deaths by 90% and eliminate cholera in up to 20 countries by 2030. However, the effect of disparities in WASH access on the unequal cholera burden across geographic regions remains poorly understood.

Read EurekAlert / Tags: Cholera

Peru: Life Without Water. How Millions of Peruvians Survive Without Safe Access to This Resource

Life without water: how millions of Peruvians survive without access to clean drinking water.
Access to drinking water remains a structural problem in Peru. The most affected regions are Loreto, Ucayali and Pasco. A lack of infrastructure, weak governance and poor planning exacerbate the situation. Experts warn of consequences for health, education and productivity.
One of the most complex crises facing Peru is the lack of access to clean water. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), 3.3 million Peruvians lack access to sanitation services. This forces them to search for water sources every day, whether that be walking long distances to reach water tankers or collecting water from rivers or wells. El Comercio spoke with affected citizens and water specialists to understand the causes and consequences of this problem, as well as the challenges and possible solutions.

Read El Comercio (Spanish) / Tags: Peru

EU Commission EU refers Poland to Court and warns six Member States over Drinking Water Directive

The European Commission has decided to refer Poland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose the recast Drinking Water Directive (Directive 2020/2184) into national law. This move follows a letter of formal notice sent in March 2023, with the Commission now requesting the Court to impose financial sanctions due to insufficient progress by Polish authorities.
The recast Drinking Water Directive, which had to be transposed by 12 January 2023, aims to better protect human health by updating water quality standards, addressing pollutants like endocrine disruptors and microplastics, and enhancing access to cleaner tap water. It also requires action on water leakages, with approximately 30% of drinking water lost during distribution across the EU.
In parallel, the Commission has also launched infringement procedures by issuing letters of formal notice to Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal for failing to correctly transpose the Drinking Water Directive.

Read smart water magazine / Tags: Europe – Bulgaria – Greece – Netherlands – Poland – Portugal – Spain

Switzerland: Three-quarters of all Swiss mineral water sources use filters that may be illegal.

Following the Nestlé mineral water scandal, the Swiss government has introduced regulations regarding the pore size of microfilters. The beverage industry is up in arms because it is greatly affected.
Crystal clear, deep blue, unspoilt and pure. Mineral water is bottled nature. It is the polar opposite of overly sweetened fizzy drinks full of chemicals. At least, that is the marketing promise of the beverage industry.

Read NZZ (German, paywall) / Tags: Switzerland – BottledWater