Water News for November 2024
Water Projects from the EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new round of funding for American ports to help in electrification and pollution reduction. The $3 billion Clean Ports Program will upgrade infrastructure at 55 port projects across 27 states, according to The Guardian. Once complete, this funding should reduce 3 million metric tons (3.3 million tons) of carbon pollution, which is the equivalent of over 391,000 homes’ energy use for one year.
On November 20, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a new, no-cost technical assistance effort focused on reducing exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities. This initiative is part of EPA’s Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) program. The Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative will help eligible public drinking-water systems evaluate emerging contaminant issues, conduct initial water quality testing, and identify next steps in 200 small or disadvantaged communities over the next three years. EPA will also share best practices and amplify successes through case studies, fact sheets, webinars, and other resources regarding addressing emerging contaminants, including PFAS.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided an unprecedented $50B to improve water infrastructure across the nation. Of this funding, $5B is dedicated to the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant program, which supports this latest technical-assistance initiative.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing a focused opportunity to help small and disadvantaged communities address PFAS and emerging contaminants to ensure that drinking water is clean and safe for residents,” said EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “By working hand-in-hand with local partners, the Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative will help ensure that historically underserved areas have access to safer drinking water that is essential for healthy and vibrant communities.”
The More Plastics They Make, the More Gets in the Water
It should not take a team of experts to determine that the amount of microplastics found in water is directly related to the amount of plastic that is produced. What was surprising in a recent study, however, is that contrary to the research team’s expectations, no correlation was found between population density or land use and high levels of microplastics. It is suspected that recycling has something to do with it. Water Online.
High levels of hazardous heavy metals found in products used to fight wildfires
A new study shows that sprays and retardants used to fight wildfires contain surprisingly high levels of toxic heavy metals, a “disturbing” finding at a time when wildfires are generally getting worse.
The paper, published Oct. 30 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, found that each of 14 fire suppression products examined contained at least eight of the ten heavy metals tested for, including chromium, cadmium, lead, and arsenic. Most of these metals or their derivatives are highly toxic, and known to cause a long list of diseases, including cancer. The New Lede
Millions of Americans Are Drinking PFAS-contaminated Water
More than 20% of the country’s population may rely on groundwater that contains detectable concentrations of PFAS for their drinking water supplies, according to a study published by the U.S. Geological Survey. Full article from Water Online.
Devastating Flooding in Valencia
Spain’s worst flooding in almost 30 years caused the Magro River to overflow its banks, trapping some residents in their homes and sending cars and rubbish bins surging. The death toll in Valencia and the neighboring regions of Castilla, La Mancha and Andalucía stood at 95. Valecia received a whole year’s worth of rain in a single day.
New research adds to evidence that several types of agrochemicals — including the widely used herbicides 2,4-D and glyphosate — may raise the risk of prostate cancer.
