Residents Fear Proposed Pax Silica Hub’s Water Demand

Communities in three regions are reflecting on how water-related events shape their lives and futures. In Norfolk, a columnist recalls the 1953 floods and the bravery of rescuers, while describing the town’s enduring connection with the U.S. Air Force rescue squad based at nearby RAF Sculthorpe. In West Virginia, the Cheat River watershed has made progress in recovering from severe acid mine drainage, though polluted streams still show the lasting damage from coal mining. In the Philippines, residents who depend on Bangut River and local springs fear that a proposed US-backed industrial hub could strain water resources and disrupt their community.