NPR: water shortage https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=404631642 water shortage en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Tue, 27 May 2025 19:46:33 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR: water shortage https://www.npr.org/tags/404631642/water-shortage El Niño weather is leading to droughts and power cuts in South America A drought has upended life in several South American cities, leading to water rationing and power cuts as well as forest fires. Wed, 01 May 2024 05:00:46 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1247847802/drought-south-america-el-nino-colombia-ecuador https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1247847802/drought-south-america-el-nino-colombia-ecuador

A drought has upended life in several South American cities, leading to water rationing and power cuts as well as forest fires.

(Image credit: Raul Arboleda)

]]> Manuel Rueda Johannesburg's water crisis is the latest blow to South Africa's 'world-class city' It bills itself as a "world-class African city" but these days residents say it's anything but — with the collapse of the water system and frequent power outages. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:00:49 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/04/01/1241232636/johannesburg-south-africa-water-crisis https://www.npr.org/2024/04/01/1241232636/johannesburg-south-africa-water-crisis It bills itself as a "world-class African city" but these days residents say it's anything but — with the collapse of the water system and frequent power outages.

]]> Kate Bartlett Mexico City's long-running water problems are getting even worse Reservoirs that furnish a large part of the Mexican capital have fallen to historic lows, as low rainfall, climate change and mismanagement exacerbate the problem. Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:00:44 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2024/03/08/1234928040/mexico-city-water-problems https://www.npr.org/2024/03/08/1234928040/mexico-city-water-problems

Reservoirs that furnish a large part of the Mexican capital have fallen to historic lows, as low rainfall, climate change and mismanagement exacerbate the problem.

]]> Emily Green Swimming pools and lavish gardens of the rich are driving water shortages, study says Socioeconomic disparity is just as influential as climate change and population growth when it comes to explaining why so many cities are struggling with their water supply, researchers say. Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:00:30 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2023/04/12/1169531195/swimming-pools-rich-water-shortages https://www.npr.org/2023/04/12/1169531195/swimming-pools-rich-water-shortages

Socioeconomic disparity is just as influential as climate change and population growth when it comes to explaining why so many cities are struggling with their water supply, researchers say.

(Image credit: Kevin Winter)

]]> Emily Olson No Drips, No Drops: A City Of 10 Million Is Running Out Of Water In Chennai, India's sixth-largest city, the reservoirs are literally drying up. How are its citizens — and the government — responding? Tue, 25 Jun 2019 16:20:03 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/06/25/734534821/no-drips-no-drops-a-city-of-10-million-is-running-out-of-water https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/06/25/734534821/no-drips-no-drops-a-city-of-10-million-is-running-out-of-water

In Chennai, India's sixth-largest city, the reservoirs are literally drying up. How are its citizens — and the government — responding?

(Image credit: Copernicus Sentinel-2 Satellite Image)

]]> Sushmita Pathak Mexico City Keeps Sinking As Its Water Supply Wastes Away "We are depleting volumes of water that took hundreds, thousands of years to store. Sooner or later it will run out," says Mexico City's outgoing water system director. Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:06:07 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2018/09/14/647601623/mexico-city-keeps-sinking-as-its-water-supply-wastes-away https://www.npr.org/2018/09/14/647601623/mexico-city-keeps-sinking-as-its-water-supply-wastes-away

"We are depleting volumes of water that took hundreds, thousands of years to store. Sooner or later it will run out," says Mexico City's outgoing water system director.

(Image credit: Carrie Kahn)

]]> Carrie Kahn Drought-Stricken Cape Town Braces For Water To Run Out In April Officials in the South African city of 3.7 million are restricting water usage amid fears it will run out of water by April 21. Experts say the crisis has been exacerbated by rapid population growth. Tue, 23 Jan 2018 09:54:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2018/01/23/579784235/drought-stricken-cape-town-braces-for-water-to-run-out-in-april https://www.npr.org/2018/01/23/579784235/drought-stricken-cape-town-braces-for-water-to-run-out-in-april

Officials in the South African city of 3.7 million are restricting water usage amid fears it will run out of water by April 21. Experts say the crisis has been exacerbated by rapid population growth.

(Image credit: Rodger Bosch)

]]> Samantha Raphelson California Regulators Adopt Unprecedented Water Restrictions Californians face a mandated 25 percent reduction in water use, after they failed to meet previous goals. The new restrictions will take effect in the summer months. Wed, 06 May 2015 06:37:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/05/06/404630607/california-regulators-adopt-unprecedented-water-restrictions https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/05/06/404630607/california-regulators-adopt-unprecedented-water-restrictions Californians face a mandated 25 percent reduction in water use, after they failed to meet previous goals. The new restrictions will take effect in the summer months.

]]> Eyder Peralta