The driest continent and the greediest water company: newspaper reporting of drought in Sydney and London

Abstract

Analysis of press reports of the onset of drought in Sydney in 2002 and London in 2006 shows different understandings of the relationship between infrastructure provision, individual behaviour and the environment. Drought is both a natural and cultural phenomenon requiring urban water managers to consider social as well as technical considerations in preparing for future droughts.

Keywords:

• Drought
• Urban
• Water infrastructure
• Media discourse