Two Atoms of Hydrogen And One Atom Of Oxygen

Environmental News Network has a good roundup of global conflicts related to water. For example: Sri Lankan jets pounded Tamil Tiger positions on Tuesday in a battle to regain control of a rebel-held water source for about 50,000 people.

Here are . . . flashpoints for potential "water wars" some experts say are looming:

INDIA AND PAKISTAN

- The six rivers of the Indus basin flow from Tibet into India and Pakistan via Kashmir's disputed mountains and valleys.

- Recent disputes over new projects have seen Pakistan accuse India of violating the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which gave India control over three eastern rivers, the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, and Pakistan the three western flows, the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.

- June 2006 saw fresh talks about the Wullar Barrage, a navigation lock India wants to build on the Jhelum. Pakistan says the dam will let India control waterflow into the Jhelum. India says it needs it to aid river transport.

- The dispute, one of eight issues in the Composite Dialogue Process, has seen 10 rounds of talks since 1988.

And: EYGPT, SUDAN AND ETHIOPIA:

- The Nile, the world's longest river, is the main source of water for nine countries in the Nile basin: Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Congo.

- Eygpt and Sudan's 1929 Nile Waters Agreement, which divided up water use, is now being challenged.

- Ethiopia, where some 80 percent of the Nile's waters originate, said last year that it wants to take more water. It accuses Egypt of blocking overseas aid for irrigation projects. Egypt says calls for change amount to a "declaration of war".

- In July 2006 a Nile Water steering committee met to discuss Ugandan and Tanzanian plans to use Nile waters in massive hydro-electric power stations and irrigation projects.

Let's not engage in hyperbole; these aren't yet "water wars," even if Egypt is calling Ethopia's demand for more water from the Nile a "declaration of war." No, it's not war yet. But water wars are coming, as sure as we're sitting here. There are too many people and far too little potable water on this small planet. What we're already seeing to some extent, and will see more of before we see actual water wars are water refugees. Which will cause the water wars.