The News Review:

- Water Pipes Linked to Fairfax Set for Upgrade
- SOCIAL IN BRIEF 27/1
- Water omen | Editorials | PE.com | Southern California News | News…
- Eritrea: 12 Million Nakfa Water Projects Implemented in Central Region

Water Pipes Linked to Fairfax Set for Upgrade
Washington Post – Jan 27, 2008
“It’s that volatility that makes it hard to manage, and that’s one of the reasons why we don’t want to have to rely on it. “Another concern is that the reservoir is owned and operated by the City of Fairfax, Villegas said. “It’s hard to rely on a water supply you don’t own and operate yourself,” she said. The authority serves 55,000 customers in eastern Loudoun. The upgrades will be funded through developer fees already in place, Villegas said. “If there’s an issue like a drought that comes along, we want to insulate ourselves against that. One way to do that is to rely on a more robust water supply such as the Potomac River,” she said…
The upgrades will be funded through developer fees already in place, Villegas said. “If there’s an issue like a drought that comes along, we want to insulate ourselves against that. One way to do that is to rely on a more robust water supply such as the Potomac River,” she said. The agency has hired a consultant to provide a more detailed picture of water usage within its service area, identifying the neighborhoods where demand is highest. Villegas said the information will be presented to the authority in summer and used to develop a more sophisticated water conservation plan. “Let’s say that we determine that a bulk of the water demand is irrigation in a Belmont Ridge neighborhood,” she said. “We will work with the HOA on awareness or develop a rebate program” in which the authority reimburses customers for the cost of water-saving equipment.

SOCIAL IN BRIEF 27/1
VietNamNet Bridge – Jan 27, 2008
Vietnam, Belgium sign $5. 7 million water dealA project worth over 5. 7 million USD to improve Vietnam’s capacity for assessing and managing water resources was signed on January 25 between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the Belgian Embassy in Vietnam. The project aims to strengthen institutional arrangements and increase capacity within MoNRE and its provincial and district bureaus. Under the plan, the project would be implemented in seven provinces including Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Ninh Thuan over four years. The specific activities within the framework of the project are: providing comprehensive ground and surface water resource assessments, establishing an interactive database in each province, setting up an integrated water resources management institutional framework, developing a water resource protection plan and implementing public awareness campaigns and staff training courses in water resources management. Southern Vinh Long province gets clean water supplyA water pumping station was inaugurated on January 23 in the Mekong province of Vinh Long to supply clean water to more than 85,000 people in Binh Minh district…
The specific activities within the framework of the project are: providing comprehensive ground and surface water resource assessments, establishing an interactive database in each province, setting up an integrated water resources management institutional framework, developing a water resource protection plan and implementing public awareness campaigns and staff training courses in water resources management. Southern Vinh Long province gets clean water supplyA water pumping station was inaugurated on January 23 in the Mekong province of Vinh Long to supply clean water to more than 85,000 people in Binh Minh district. The plant is part of the Mekong Rural Water Supply and Sanitation project funded by the Government of Australia. The project aims to reduce poverty and improve overall living standards and health of 400,000 rural poor living in the delta by helping them gain sustained access to improved water supply and sanitation services. In Vinh Long province, the two towns of Binh Minh and Tam Binh plus eight selected communes are benefiting from the project. Mark Palu, counselor at the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), said, “Adequate water supply and sanitation facilities are still not available to many people living in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta in general and in Vinh Long in particular. “We are pleased that through cooperation with the Vinh Long People’s Committee, we have been able to support Vinh Long to more effectively improve access to water and sanitation for the local population and thus help reduce poverty.

Water omen | Editorials | PE.com | Southern California News | News…
Press-Enterprise – Press-Enterprise (subscription) – Jan 27, 2008
Protecting the State Water Project is only part of the challenge of ensuring sufficient water for California, however. Long-term forecasts predict a drier climate, more prone to droughts such as the one on the Colorado River. So California will need to make smarter use of existing water supplies, also — a factor that needs to become part of every development decision. Continued growth will require changes in traditional habits. Water-conserving features such as drought-tolerant landscaping, smart irrigation systems and water-efficient appliances should become standard for new construction. And steps such as using recycled water for irrigating lawns, parks, golf courses and other greenery can make better use of existing supplies. Growth has to adapt to water needs, instead of the other way around.

Eritrea: 12 Million Nakfa Water Projects Implemented in Central Region
AllAfrica.com – Jan 27, 2008
com (Asmara)27 January 2008Posted to the web 28 January 2008AsmaraIn line with efforts to guarantee potable water supply to inhabitants of rural centers of the Central region, various water projects that expended over 12 million Nakfa were successfully implemented last year in 9 administrative districts of the region. Head of Research and Project Monitoring Department Central region Mr. Yemane Abay indicated that 10 water projects that employ solar driven panels were implemented in 9 administrative districts of the region thereby alleviating inhabitants of the districts from prevalent water shortages. GA_googleFillSlot(“AllAfrica_Story_Inset”); He further added that over 800 inhabitants also received practical and theoretical trainings in water sanitation and conducts of hygiene maintenance in their respective districts to prevent water borne diseases.