United State is one of the Safest Drinking Water Supplies Nation of the world. American Drink average of One Billiuons Glass of Water perday. While we congratulate the achievement, but we still need to do much more in view of increasing issues in Water Contaminations & pollutions in this world...
EPA CELEBRATES SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY AND NEBRASKA’S PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
EPA Region 7 will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act on December 16, and salutes the Nebraskans who work hard everyday to ensure that their water is safe to drink.
“By working with our communities, we can all help protect public health by preventing pollution in the rivers, lakes, streams, and underground aquifers that are the sources of our drinking water,” said Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford.
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), signed into law Dec. 16, 1974 and strengthened by amendments in 1986 and 1996, protects human health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. The responsibility for ensuring safe drinking water is divided among EPA, states, tribes, water systems, and the public. Nearly all states and territories have received primacy for the drinking water program.
Nebraska’s drinking water program has 1,375 public water systems, serving most of its 1.7 million residents. Ground water is the source for most of Nebraska’s drinking water. Only five public water systems in the state get their drinking water from surface water sources.
The state issued about $17 million in loans to communities for infrastructure improvements from July 2003 to June 2004. Nebraska has received about $70 million since the inception of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
The SDWA requires EPA to set standards on drinking water contaminants that public water systems are required to meet, up from about 10 standards in the 1970s to more than 90 today. Compliance with standards among the nation’s more than 53,000 public water systems is improving nationally even as EPA adopts more standards.
The United States has one of the safest drinking water supplies in the world at an average cost of only 5 gallons for a penny. Americans drink an average of one billion glasses of tap water each day.Read More...
EPA Region 7 - Environmental News
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Norland Ozone Systems-ozone generation
I found this article is very informative. Howevr, the research found that Ozone disinfection is much higher than the conventional Chlorine method that use today. If the datas is true then it shall be encourage for the Water District or authority to switch to Ozone process..
WHAT IS OZONE? WHY IS IT USED?
Ozone is an unstable, colorless gas, a powerful oxidizer and a potent germicide. It has a much higher disinfection potential than other disinfectants such as chlorine.
Ozone consists of three parts of oxygen. Once ozone is generated, it takes a short time for it to break apart and return to its natural form of oxygen. As this phenomenon occurs, the free atom of oxygen will seek out any foreign particles in the water and be attracted to them. This action creates an environment where bacteria or organic matter virtually disintegrate when they come in contact with this free oxygen molecule. This in turn protects water from waterborne, bacterial contamination. Ozone is used in the bottled water industry because it controls the growth of bacteria in water. It is desirable because it can do this without leaving a residual taste, such as you would find with chlorine.
The variables determining the effectiveness of ozone in killing bacteria are contact time and residual ozone concentration achieved in the product water. This ozone concentration residual is first dependent on how much ozone is injected into the product water and then the amount of ozone demand in the water. The lower the total dissolved solids level, the higher the solubility of the ozone.
Norland Ozone Systems-ozone generation:
WHAT IS OZONE? WHY IS IT USED?
Ozone is an unstable, colorless gas, a powerful oxidizer and a potent germicide. It has a much higher disinfection potential than other disinfectants such as chlorine.
Ozone consists of three parts of oxygen. Once ozone is generated, it takes a short time for it to break apart and return to its natural form of oxygen. As this phenomenon occurs, the free atom of oxygen will seek out any foreign particles in the water and be attracted to them. This action creates an environment where bacteria or organic matter virtually disintegrate when they come in contact with this free oxygen molecule. This in turn protects water from waterborne, bacterial contamination. Ozone is used in the bottled water industry because it controls the growth of bacteria in water. It is desirable because it can do this without leaving a residual taste, such as you would find with chlorine.
The variables determining the effectiveness of ozone in killing bacteria are contact time and residual ozone concentration achieved in the product water. This ozone concentration residual is first dependent on how much ozone is injected into the product water and then the amount of ozone demand in the water. The lower the total dissolved solids level, the higher the solubility of the ozone.
Norland Ozone Systems-ozone generation:
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Water woes a hard problem for Fillmore folks
I am not a fan of using Water Softener. I see that, it is immoral to discharge contaminants to the ground to contaminate our mother earth.
Water woes a hard problem for Fillmore folks
Some softeners must go or residents and city might face stiff fines
By Eric Leach
Staff Writer
Saturday, December 04, 2004 - FILLMORE -- Residents of Fillmore, who have some of the hardest water in Ventura County, may face heavy fines if they do not remove their beloved water softening devices that discharge chloride into the Santa Clara River.
By September 2008, the city could face fines up to $1.1 million a year if it does not comply with state water discharge requirements, officials said.
"Some people have said, why not just pay the fine and keep our water softeners, but that is not a viable alternative," said City Engineer Bert Rapp. "We could never consider violating the limits (state officials) have imposed."
One alternative for Fillmore's 4,200 households is to build a plant that would cost about $24 a month per household and soften water for the entire city without discharging prohibited levels of salt, Rapp said.
"If we can soften the city's drinking water (at this plant) it would remove 75 percent of the hardness in the water, which would make everybody's plumbing fixtures last longer, their water heaters would last longer, their clothes would wash better, their dishes would wash better. It would improve the quality of water for all of our customers."
Jonathan Bishop, executive officer of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the state agency that ordered Fillmore to clean up the problem, said the chloride is a threat to aquatic life in the river and agriculture in Ventura County.
Fines are possible in 2008 if Fillmore does not comply, but the amount of the fines would depend on the situation at that time, he said.
"This problem has been going on for 20 years. We've given Fillmore many chances to address this problem, and we support Fillmore's efforts to limit water softeners."
Fillmore is in a peculiar situation because of the hard water that comes from wells in the area and the ecological sensitivity of the Santa Clara River.
Dawn Ladny, a resident who supports building a plant to soften water for the entire city, said living in Fillmore without a water softener is not an option to many people.
"If I didn't have a water softener, I would be replacing my dishwasher every couple of years," she said.Read More...
Water woes a hard problem for Fillmore folks
Some softeners must go or residents and city might face stiff fines
By Eric Leach
Staff Writer
Saturday, December 04, 2004 - FILLMORE -- Residents of Fillmore, who have some of the hardest water in Ventura County, may face heavy fines if they do not remove their beloved water softening devices that discharge chloride into the Santa Clara River.
By September 2008, the city could face fines up to $1.1 million a year if it does not comply with state water discharge requirements, officials said.
"Some people have said, why not just pay the fine and keep our water softeners, but that is not a viable alternative," said City Engineer Bert Rapp. "We could never consider violating the limits (state officials) have imposed."
One alternative for Fillmore's 4,200 households is to build a plant that would cost about $24 a month per household and soften water for the entire city without discharging prohibited levels of salt, Rapp said.
"If we can soften the city's drinking water (at this plant) it would remove 75 percent of the hardness in the water, which would make everybody's plumbing fixtures last longer, their water heaters would last longer, their clothes would wash better, their dishes would wash better. It would improve the quality of water for all of our customers."
Jonathan Bishop, executive officer of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the state agency that ordered Fillmore to clean up the problem, said the chloride is a threat to aquatic life in the river and agriculture in Ventura County.
Fines are possible in 2008 if Fillmore does not comply, but the amount of the fines would depend on the situation at that time, he said.
"This problem has been going on for 20 years. We've given Fillmore many chances to address this problem, and we support Fillmore's efforts to limit water softeners."
Fillmore is in a peculiar situation because of the hard water that comes from wells in the area and the ecological sensitivity of the Santa Clara River.
Dawn Ladny, a resident who supports building a plant to soften water for the entire city, said living in Fillmore without a water softener is not an option to many people.
"If I didn't have a water softener, I would be replacing my dishwasher every couple of years," she said.Read More...
Water Contract Renewals Stir Debate Between Environmentalists and Farmers in California
Any issues related to water is just totally uncalled for. Do more & Debate less, the more the debate the more would be time & money loss incurred.
Water Contract Renewals Stir Debate Between Environmentalists and Farmers in California
By DEAN E. MURPHY
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14 - The time has come for thousands of farmers in California to renew their water contracts with the federally run Central Valley Project, the country's largest irrigation system and for many years a major source of friction between the state's powerful agricultural and environmental interests.
The farms served by the Central Valley Project cover nearly 4,700 square miles and get about 20 percent of California's water supply. That has made the new contracts, some for 25 years and some for 40 years with options to renew, the center of a debate over how much water in the state should be dedicated to growing crops and at what price.
When construction of the Central Water Project began in 1937, the idea was to protect the state's farmland from water shortages and floods and provide cheap water for family farmers. But as the state has grown in population, there has been a growing push by cities and environmentalists to break the farmers' grip on the water, or at least make them pay more for it.
A report to be released on Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group that has tracked federal subsidies in agriculture, estimates that the subsidies in the Central Valley Project are worth up to $416 million a year at market rates for replacing the water. The calculation, based on data collected by the group over 16 months, shows that the median subsidy for a Central Valley farmer in 2002 was $7,076 a year and for the largest 10 percent of the farms, the average subsidy was worth up to $349,000 a year.
Five years ago, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which runs the Central Valley Project, began negotiations on 223 water-supply contracts with individual farmers and big irrigation districts, serving farmers from Redding to Bakersfield. Those negotiations are expected to be wrapped up early next year, and many critics of the bureau, including the Environmental Working Group, are not happy that they will apparently continue supplies of federally subsidized water for farms.
"Reforms to make details of water subsidies public, limit the amount and value of water subsidies to large farms and encourage conservation by pricing water at rates closer to market value are needed to end the disaster for taxpayers and the environment wrought by the Central Valley Project," the Environmental Working Group report states.
Many farmers reject that analysis, including the president of Woolf Enterprises, a family-owned farming business based in Huron, near Fresno, which was identified by the group as the recipient of $4.2 million in subsidies. Woolf Enterprises grows almonds, cotton, tomatoes and other crops on about 20,000 acres in the area served by Central Valley Project. Read More...
The New York Times > National > Water Contract Renewals Stir Debate Between Environmentalists and Farmers in California
Water Contract Renewals Stir Debate Between Environmentalists and Farmers in California
By DEAN E. MURPHY
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14 - The time has come for thousands of farmers in California to renew their water contracts with the federally run Central Valley Project, the country's largest irrigation system and for many years a major source of friction between the state's powerful agricultural and environmental interests.
The farms served by the Central Valley Project cover nearly 4,700 square miles and get about 20 percent of California's water supply. That has made the new contracts, some for 25 years and some for 40 years with options to renew, the center of a debate over how much water in the state should be dedicated to growing crops and at what price.
When construction of the Central Water Project began in 1937, the idea was to protect the state's farmland from water shortages and floods and provide cheap water for family farmers. But as the state has grown in population, there has been a growing push by cities and environmentalists to break the farmers' grip on the water, or at least make them pay more for it.
A report to be released on Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group that has tracked federal subsidies in agriculture, estimates that the subsidies in the Central Valley Project are worth up to $416 million a year at market rates for replacing the water. The calculation, based on data collected by the group over 16 months, shows that the median subsidy for a Central Valley farmer in 2002 was $7,076 a year and for the largest 10 percent of the farms, the average subsidy was worth up to $349,000 a year.
Five years ago, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which runs the Central Valley Project, began negotiations on 223 water-supply contracts with individual farmers and big irrigation districts, serving farmers from Redding to Bakersfield. Those negotiations are expected to be wrapped up early next year, and many critics of the bureau, including the Environmental Working Group, are not happy that they will apparently continue supplies of federally subsidized water for farms.
"Reforms to make details of water subsidies public, limit the amount and value of water subsidies to large farms and encourage conservation by pricing water at rates closer to market value are needed to end the disaster for taxpayers and the environment wrought by the Central Valley Project," the Environmental Working Group report states.
Many farmers reject that analysis, including the president of Woolf Enterprises, a family-owned farming business based in Huron, near Fresno, which was identified by the group as the recipient of $4.2 million in subsidies. Woolf Enterprises grows almonds, cotton, tomatoes and other crops on about 20,000 acres in the area served by Central Valley Project. Read More...
The New York Times > National > Water Contract Renewals Stir Debate Between Environmentalists and Farmers in California
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Port Barre makes do with bottled drinking water
In my childhood days, I have experience water rationing, I understand about the suffering that one have to goes through on the Water & especially drinking water problem. City need to ahve a back-up plan in case of the worst happening.
Port Barre makes do with bottled drinking water
By The Associated Press
T BARRE -- Town officials handed out thousands of gallons of drinking water to residents here over the weekend as crews worked to fix a break down at the water treatment plant.
On Friday, a chlorine injector broke down at the water plant, causing the municipal water supply to exceed the maximum contaminant level of fecal coliform bacteria, or E. coli, officials said.
Over the weekend, the Police Department and Mayor John Fontenot handed out water. Police Chief David Richard said the city purchased about 2,400 gallons of drinking water from Wal-Mart to supply residents.
"We are trying to help make it as comfortable as possible for the people during this emergency," he said.
The supply went quickly as residents lined up Saturday.
Paul Guilbeaux came on a bicycle to get water for a sick neighbor. "We all have to work together."
Because of the limited supply of water, only two gallons were issued to each family. Read More...
2theadvocate.com: News - Port Barre makes do with bottled drinking water 12/13/04
Port Barre makes do with bottled drinking water
By The Associated Press
T BARRE -- Town officials handed out thousands of gallons of drinking water to residents here over the weekend as crews worked to fix a break down at the water treatment plant.
On Friday, a chlorine injector broke down at the water plant, causing the municipal water supply to exceed the maximum contaminant level of fecal coliform bacteria, or E. coli, officials said.
Over the weekend, the Police Department and Mayor John Fontenot handed out water. Police Chief David Richard said the city purchased about 2,400 gallons of drinking water from Wal-Mart to supply residents.
"We are trying to help make it as comfortable as possible for the people during this emergency," he said.
The supply went quickly as residents lined up Saturday.
Paul Guilbeaux came on a bicycle to get water for a sick neighbor. "We all have to work together."
Because of the limited supply of water, only two gallons were issued to each family. Read More...
2theadvocate.com: News - Port Barre makes do with bottled drinking water 12/13/04
Oklahoma Water Contaminated By Animals Waste.
Perhaps the best ways is to get the farmer's to install the Waste Water treadments system to put these right, the local government shall get things in-check...
Poultry meetings to continue
By: Clayton Bellamy - Associated Press Writer
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The attorney general and six poultry companies met again Friday amid complaints the negotiators were excluding family farmers from their talks over chicken waste in northeast Oklahoma.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson and representatives of the six companies met in an undisclosed location in Tulsa for the second straight day to discuss the effects chicken waste has on the region's watersheds.
Edmondson said his office and poultry producers will continue to meet in small groups through the end of the month and again formally after the first of the year.
If the negotiations fail, Edmondson says he will sue the poultry companies to get them to reduce the waste's impact.
The companies agreement last month to clean up waste in the region that can't safely be applied to land triggered the round of negotiations.
Waste from the many huge chicken farms in northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas is rich in phosphorous, which promotes algae growth in rivers and lakes.
The blooms take oxygen from the water and choke aquatic life. They also can create taste and odor problems in drinking water.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau complained Thursday evening that it has not been included in the meetings even though its members - small farmers who raise chickens in contracts with the companies - will have to implement any agreement. Read More...
.: Print Version :.
Poultry meetings to continue
By: Clayton Bellamy - Associated Press Writer
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The attorney general and six poultry companies met again Friday amid complaints the negotiators were excluding family farmers from their talks over chicken waste in northeast Oklahoma.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson and representatives of the six companies met in an undisclosed location in Tulsa for the second straight day to discuss the effects chicken waste has on the region's watersheds.
Edmondson said his office and poultry producers will continue to meet in small groups through the end of the month and again formally after the first of the year.
If the negotiations fail, Edmondson says he will sue the poultry companies to get them to reduce the waste's impact.
The companies agreement last month to clean up waste in the region that can't safely be applied to land triggered the round of negotiations.
Waste from the many huge chicken farms in northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas is rich in phosphorous, which promotes algae growth in rivers and lakes.
The blooms take oxygen from the water and choke aquatic life. They also can create taste and odor problems in drinking water.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau complained Thursday evening that it has not been included in the meetings even though its members - small farmers who raise chickens in contracts with the companies - will have to implement any agreement. Read More...
.: Print Version :.
City leaders to decide to tap Hudson or Saratoga Lake
Decision must be make short & sharp, as water is always a cretical issue for we human being. Any delay would cause more looses...
Saratoga water source decision expected soon
City leaders to decide to tap Hudson or Saratoga Lake
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Dec. 13
By MARK MULHOLLAND Saratoga-North Country News Chief
Saratoga Springs has been talking about a new water source for more than a decade. Soon the talking will stop and city leaders will move forward with plans to tap either the Hudson River or Saratoga Lake.
It's water that made this city famous. And it's debate over water that has now become infamous.
State, federal and Saratoga County leaders have been urging Saratoga Springs to join forces with other communities to tap into the Hudson River. The county plan would cost nearly $80 million, though it's not clear what each community would have to pay.
Tuesday night the city will give the public a final chance to weigh in before the City Council votes next week on whether to go with the county's Hudson plan or tap into Saratoga Lake.
Mike Lenz, the city's part-time mayor, was unavailable for comment Monday, but has said previously the council will decide on a secondary water source by the end of the year." Read More...
WNYT...Live LOCAL Late-Breaking
Saratoga water source decision expected soon
City leaders to decide to tap Hudson or Saratoga Lake
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Dec. 13
By MARK MULHOLLAND Saratoga-North Country News Chief
Saratoga Springs has been talking about a new water source for more than a decade. Soon the talking will stop and city leaders will move forward with plans to tap either the Hudson River or Saratoga Lake.
It's water that made this city famous. And it's debate over water that has now become infamous.
State, federal and Saratoga County leaders have been urging Saratoga Springs to join forces with other communities to tap into the Hudson River. The county plan would cost nearly $80 million, though it's not clear what each community would have to pay.
Tuesday night the city will give the public a final chance to weigh in before the City Council votes next week on whether to go with the county's Hudson plan or tap into Saratoga Lake.
Mike Lenz, the city's part-time mayor, was unavailable for comment Monday, but has said previously the council will decide on a secondary water source by the end of the year." Read More...
WNYT...Live LOCAL Late-Breaking
Canadian Fed Invest & hires IBM to develop system to detect disease, bioterrorism-- National Post
As a Computer Technologist by qualification. I am sure that both computer hardware & software can aids to the Monitoring & control for the Drinking Water Safety.. However, the most important is still is the People Elements...
Health agency hires IBM to develop system to detect disease, bioterrorism
Steve Lambert Canadian Press
Monday, December 13, 2004
WINNIPEG (CP) - Federal health officials have turned to IBM to help develop a computerized early-warning system to detect outbreaks of infectious disease and bioterrorist attacks.
The Public Health Agency of Canada hopes the system, being developed as a pilot project in Winnipeg, will make it easier to contain outbreaks such as the one that left thousands of residents sick in North Battleford, Saskatchewan in 2001.
'This is really cutting-edge stuff,' Dr. Amin Kabani, a senior medical adviser with Health Canada, said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
'If we find that this is successful and it adds significant value, then our recommendation certainly would be (to make it) a Canadian-wide enterprise.'
IBM Canada Ltd will be paid $887,000 to develop a system that will instantly collect data from hospital emergency rooms, laboratories, pharmacies and other health-related facilities in Winnipeg.
The system would alert health officials to a sudden rise in the number of emergency room visitors who exhibit symptoms of a particular infectious disease.
It would also alert officials to any jump in the sale of particular types of over-the-counter medication that might be used to combat gastrointestinal or other diseases, said Kabani.
'If you remember the outbreak in No. ReadMore....
National Post
Health agency hires IBM to develop system to detect disease, bioterrorism
Steve Lambert Canadian Press
Monday, December 13, 2004
WINNIPEG (CP) - Federal health officials have turned to IBM to help develop a computerized early-warning system to detect outbreaks of infectious disease and bioterrorist attacks.
The Public Health Agency of Canada hopes the system, being developed as a pilot project in Winnipeg, will make it easier to contain outbreaks such as the one that left thousands of residents sick in North Battleford, Saskatchewan in 2001.
'This is really cutting-edge stuff,' Dr. Amin Kabani, a senior medical adviser with Health Canada, said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
'If we find that this is successful and it adds significant value, then our recommendation certainly would be (to make it) a Canadian-wide enterprise.'
IBM Canada Ltd will be paid $887,000 to develop a system that will instantly collect data from hospital emergency rooms, laboratories, pharmacies and other health-related facilities in Winnipeg.
The system would alert health officials to a sudden rise in the number of emergency room visitors who exhibit symptoms of a particular infectious disease.
It would also alert officials to any jump in the sale of particular types of over-the-counter medication that might be used to combat gastrointestinal or other diseases, said Kabani.
'If you remember the outbreak in No. ReadMore....
National Post
Monday, December 13, 2004
Chesapeake ran up $2.4 million bill to defend self in water suit
My late Parents said, in any legal situations involve Lawyer's, both side would be the looser's, except the Lawyer's would be the winner's, either you lose or win, they are getting paid for their work. In this case $300,000.oo shall be able to use for better purpose than just for the benefits of the so call "Individual Professional". As Lao Tze said If there are too many Laws then there would be too many frauds.
Chesapeake ran up $2.4 million bill to defend self in water suit
By the Associated Press
December 10 2004
CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- The city's successful defense of lawsuits accusing officials of failing to warn pregnant women about a harmful byproduct in Chesapeake tap water totaled $2.4 million, according to documents released by the city.
All but $300,000 went to pay two law firms: Williams Mullen, which has offices in Virginia Beach, and Breeden, Salb, Beasley & Duvall of Norfolk.
The firms began defending the city four years ago against hundreds of individual civil suits that collectively were seeking an estimated $1.8 billion from the city. The cases never made it to trial.
Last month, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that Chesapeake was immune from such lawsuits.
"It's an incredible amount of money," Mayor Dalton S. Edge told The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. "It's unfortunate that we had to spend it, but I don't know if we had any choice."
The city is pursuing a claim against its insurance carrier to recoup all or a portion of the cost, City Attorney Ronald S. Hallman said.
The $2.4 million cost of the defense does not include the work done by government employees in the city attorney's office and elsewhere.
The Supreme Court ruling effectively nullified 212 lawsuits seeking nearly $2 billion--more than triple the city's annual $671 million budget.
The women alleged that city officials misled them about high levels of trihalomethanes, or THMs, in the city's drinking water. Some studies have linked THMs to increased health risks for pregnant women. Read More...
Chesapeake ran up $2.4 million bill to defend self in water suit
Chesapeake ran up $2.4 million bill to defend self in water suit
By the Associated Press
December 10 2004
CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- The city's successful defense of lawsuits accusing officials of failing to warn pregnant women about a harmful byproduct in Chesapeake tap water totaled $2.4 million, according to documents released by the city.
All but $300,000 went to pay two law firms: Williams Mullen, which has offices in Virginia Beach, and Breeden, Salb, Beasley & Duvall of Norfolk.
The firms began defending the city four years ago against hundreds of individual civil suits that collectively were seeking an estimated $1.8 billion from the city. The cases never made it to trial.
Last month, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that Chesapeake was immune from such lawsuits.
"It's an incredible amount of money," Mayor Dalton S. Edge told The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. "It's unfortunate that we had to spend it, but I don't know if we had any choice."
The city is pursuing a claim against its insurance carrier to recoup all or a portion of the cost, City Attorney Ronald S. Hallman said.
The $2.4 million cost of the defense does not include the work done by government employees in the city attorney's office and elsewhere.
The Supreme Court ruling effectively nullified 212 lawsuits seeking nearly $2 billion--more than triple the city's annual $671 million budget.
The women alleged that city officials misled them about high levels of trihalomethanes, or THMs, in the city's drinking water. Some studies have linked THMs to increased health risks for pregnant women. Read More...
Chesapeake ran up $2.4 million bill to defend self in water suit
U.S Aid Chief Defends Iraq Reconstruction - Yahoo! News -
The aids includes 13 Water Treament plants and power station...
One can imagine that the Air & Water contaminations in ex-war
countries serious situations. i.e. the Nucleas Bomb Contaminations of Kawasaki & ..after the 2nd war world still can be felt today. But the effort must not only just from US, the local people must work together in a united front to fight the contaminations.
U.S Aid Chief Defends Iraq Reconstruction
Mon Dec 13, 8:46 AM ET
By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A top U.S. aid official acknowledged Monday that Iraqis have reasons to be impatient with the pace of reconstruction since the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), but said $4.3 billion had been earmarked for projects and promised improvement despite the insurgency.
Andrew Natsios, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, detailed several projects under way in Iraq (news - web sites), including construction of 13 water-treatment plants and a major new power station, as well as hundreds of schools, firehouses, clinics and police stations.
But he insisted the most important work in Iraq isn't necessarily visible, including building institutions, getting civil society groups off the ground and doing preventive maintenance.
"The most important work we do is not the physical infrastructure, even though I know all of you like to report on it," Natsios told a news conference inside the Green Zone, the highly fortified area home to the U.S. Embassy and other government offices in Baghdad.
But Natsios, fielding pointed questions from Arabic-speaking journalists about reconstruction, defended more visible U.S. work, which some Iraqis say is taking far too long. He said it takes months to build power plants, whose generators need to be built from scratch.
He spoke in the middle of a power outage that cut electricity to a large swath of the country. Baghdad went dark, though power in the Green Zone is supplied by generators and was not cut.
"I know people are impatient," Natsios said. "They have a reason to be impatient, but I think progress is being made and the money is being spent appropriately."
Iraq's infrastructure fell into near ruin under years of U.N. sanctions and was further crippled in the U.S.-led invasion and its aftermath. Iraq's insurgents have frequently targeted reconstruction projects, bombing schools, clinics and community centers sometimes days after they're built.
Natsios said USAID had earmarked $86 million to support Iraq's electoral commission and nongovernment organizations ahead of Jan. 30 elections. He said 9,000 Iraqi businesses have been registered, and 35,000 Iraqis were employed in construction work with contracts through his agency.Read More...
Yahoo! News - U.S Aid Chief Defends Iraq Reconstruction: "
Mon Dec 13, 8:46 AM ET"
One can imagine that the Air & Water contaminations in ex-war
countries serious situations. i.e. the Nucleas Bomb Contaminations of Kawasaki & ..after the 2nd war world still can be felt today. But the effort must not only just from US, the local people must work together in a united front to fight the contaminations.
U.S Aid Chief Defends Iraq Reconstruction
Mon Dec 13, 8:46 AM ET
By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A top U.S. aid official acknowledged Monday that Iraqis have reasons to be impatient with the pace of reconstruction since the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), but said $4.3 billion had been earmarked for projects and promised improvement despite the insurgency.
Andrew Natsios, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, detailed several projects under way in Iraq (news - web sites), including construction of 13 water-treatment plants and a major new power station, as well as hundreds of schools, firehouses, clinics and police stations.
But he insisted the most important work in Iraq isn't necessarily visible, including building institutions, getting civil society groups off the ground and doing preventive maintenance.
"The most important work we do is not the physical infrastructure, even though I know all of you like to report on it," Natsios told a news conference inside the Green Zone, the highly fortified area home to the U.S. Embassy and other government offices in Baghdad.
But Natsios, fielding pointed questions from Arabic-speaking journalists about reconstruction, defended more visible U.S. work, which some Iraqis say is taking far too long. He said it takes months to build power plants, whose generators need to be built from scratch.
He spoke in the middle of a power outage that cut electricity to a large swath of the country. Baghdad went dark, though power in the Green Zone is supplied by generators and was not cut.
"I know people are impatient," Natsios said. "They have a reason to be impatient, but I think progress is being made and the money is being spent appropriately."
Iraq's infrastructure fell into near ruin under years of U.N. sanctions and was further crippled in the U.S.-led invasion and its aftermath. Iraq's insurgents have frequently targeted reconstruction projects, bombing schools, clinics and community centers sometimes days after they're built.
Natsios said USAID had earmarked $86 million to support Iraq's electoral commission and nongovernment organizations ahead of Jan. 30 elections. He said 9,000 Iraqi businesses have been registered, and 35,000 Iraqis were employed in construction work with contracts through his agency.Read More...
Yahoo! News - U.S Aid Chief Defends Iraq Reconstruction: "
Mon Dec 13, 8:46 AM ET"
Bush Taps EPA Chief As Health Secretary
With Mike Leavitt Credentials, I hope he would continue his efforts to do good things including Water, Air, waste.. for our people in USA.
Bush Taps EPA Chief As Health Secretary
Bush Nominates EPA Chief Mike Leavitt As Health Secretary, Set to Name Homeland Security Nominee
The Associated Press
Dec. 13, 2004 - President Bush has chosen Environmental Protection Agency head Michael Leavitt to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, government officials told The Associated Press on Monday.
Leavitt, Utah's governor before joining the Bush administration in late 2003, would succeed Tommy Thompson, who recently resigned.
Bush also has to name a new head of the Homeland Security Department to take the place of Bernard Kerik, who abruptly withdrew his nomination Friday night, citing immigration problems with a family housekeeper.
Two government officials, each speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bush planned to announce Leavitt's nomination later Monday.
Leavitt, 53, served as Utah's governor for 11 years before Bush appointed him to lead the Environmental Protection Agency last year. As a three-term governor, he chaired the National Governors Association.
As recently as last week, Dr. Mark McClellan, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, had the inside track for the HHS job, White House officials and many health care analysts said. Read More....
ABC News: Bush Taps EPA Chief As Health Secretary
Bush Taps EPA Chief As Health Secretary
Bush Nominates EPA Chief Mike Leavitt As Health Secretary, Set to Name Homeland Security Nominee
The Associated Press
Dec. 13, 2004 - President Bush has chosen Environmental Protection Agency head Michael Leavitt to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, government officials told The Associated Press on Monday.
Leavitt, Utah's governor before joining the Bush administration in late 2003, would succeed Tommy Thompson, who recently resigned.
Bush also has to name a new head of the Homeland Security Department to take the place of Bernard Kerik, who abruptly withdrew his nomination Friday night, citing immigration problems with a family housekeeper.
Two government officials, each speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bush planned to announce Leavitt's nomination later Monday.
Leavitt, 53, served as Utah's governor for 11 years before Bush appointed him to lead the Environmental Protection Agency last year. As a three-term governor, he chaired the National Governors Association.
As recently as last week, Dr. Mark McClellan, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, had the inside track for the HHS job, White House officials and many health care analysts said. Read More....
ABC News: Bush Taps EPA Chief As Health Secretary
Manila Water Plans IPO In 1Q 2005 To Fund Expansion
Country like Philipine, the gap between have & have not is great..The Drinking Water contaminations is still serious, although efforts are done for the improvement, there is still need to be done more on the water education & knowledge for the people. I hope the IPO money raised would use for thesaid purpose on educations..
Manila Water Plans IPO In 1Q 2005 To Fund Expansion
MANILA (Dow Jones)--Manila Water Co. said Monday it plans to sell about two-thirds of its outstanding common shares via an initial public offering in the first quarter of 2005 to raise funds for network expansion and improvements.
The water utility - controlled by Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corp. (AC.PH) - plans to sell 595 million shares in the international market and 255 million shares in the local market, it said in statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ADVERTISEMENT
The local offering price has been set at a minimum of PHP4.75 a share. The company didn't reveal the pricing for the overseas offering.
Proceeds from the offering will be used mainly to expand water service coverage and the development of new water sources.
BPI Capital Corp. and UBS Investment Bank have been appointed the underwriters for the offering.
The IPO is part of Manila Water's 25-year concession agreement with the Metropolitan Water Sewerage System. Based on information on its Web site, the IPO shares represent about 63% of Manila Water's 1.35 billion outstanding common shares as of end-2003.Read More...
Manila Water Plans IPO In 1Q 2005 To Fund Expansion
Manila Water Plans IPO In 1Q 2005 To Fund Expansion
MANILA (Dow Jones)--Manila Water Co. said Monday it plans to sell about two-thirds of its outstanding common shares via an initial public offering in the first quarter of 2005 to raise funds for network expansion and improvements.
The water utility - controlled by Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corp. (AC.PH) - plans to sell 595 million shares in the international market and 255 million shares in the local market, it said in statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ADVERTISEMENT
The local offering price has been set at a minimum of PHP4.75 a share. The company didn't reveal the pricing for the overseas offering.
Proceeds from the offering will be used mainly to expand water service coverage and the development of new water sources.
BPI Capital Corp. and UBS Investment Bank have been appointed the underwriters for the offering.
The IPO is part of Manila Water's 25-year concession agreement with the Metropolitan Water Sewerage System. Based on information on its Web site, the IPO shares represent about 63% of Manila Water's 1.35 billion outstanding common shares as of end-2003.Read More...
Manila Water Plans IPO In 1Q 2005 To Fund Expansion
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Test Shows Who Needs Chemo for Cancer - Yahoo! News -
I have travel & live in Most part of Asia, Europe & now America. I found that many places where their Drinking Water is Contaminated, have a high tendancy of having cancer. Last year, I lost 4 friends who are died of cancer in the same township in Asia, they are between 24-41years old. 3 of them are having Breast Cancer. My recommedations is eat healthy food & Drink Filtered or Purified Water...
Test Shows Who Needs Chemo for Cancer
Sat Dec 11, 8:05 AM ET By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new genetic test can tell doctors which breast cancer patients need to undergo the discomfort of chemotherapy -- and suggests many women don't need to, researchers said on Friday.
Almost half of U.S. women diagnosed with a specific form of breast cancer -- estrogen-dependent cancer that has not yet spread -- can skip the chemo, the results suggest. That means about 25,000, mostly older women a year, according to the National Cancer Institute (news - web sites), which helped sponsor the study.
'The test has the potential to change medical practice by sparing thousands of women each year from the harmful short- and long-term side effects associated with chemotherapy,' said Dr. JoAnne Zujewski of the NCI's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program.
The study results, released early by the New England Journal of Medicine (news - web sites) and also at the San Antonio Breast Cancer (news - web sites) Symposium, are based on a study of gene activity in the breast cancer tumors.
Dr. Soonmyung Paik and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere used tissue samples from women enrolled in past clinical trials of the cancer drug tamoxifen, which blocks the effect of estrogen on breast cancer cells.
About 80 percent of breast cancer patients have the kind of cancer that responds to hormone-based therapy like tamoxifen, and the drug has been shown to reduce the cancer's spread.
But the question has been who can safely get away with just surgery and either tamoxifen or newer, hormone-based drugs called aromatase inhibitors.
Paik's team used samples from 668 patients who got surgery and tamoxifen but not chemotherapy, and looked at 16 different cancer-related genes to see which ones were active." Read More...
Yahoo! News - Test Shows Who Needs Chemo for Cancer
Test Shows Who Needs Chemo for Cancer
Sat Dec 11, 8:05 AM ET By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new genetic test can tell doctors which breast cancer patients need to undergo the discomfort of chemotherapy -- and suggests many women don't need to, researchers said on Friday.
Almost half of U.S. women diagnosed with a specific form of breast cancer -- estrogen-dependent cancer that has not yet spread -- can skip the chemo, the results suggest. That means about 25,000, mostly older women a year, according to the National Cancer Institute (news - web sites), which helped sponsor the study.
'The test has the potential to change medical practice by sparing thousands of women each year from the harmful short- and long-term side effects associated with chemotherapy,' said Dr. JoAnne Zujewski of the NCI's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program.
The study results, released early by the New England Journal of Medicine (news - web sites) and also at the San Antonio Breast Cancer (news - web sites) Symposium, are based on a study of gene activity in the breast cancer tumors.
Dr. Soonmyung Paik and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere used tissue samples from women enrolled in past clinical trials of the cancer drug tamoxifen, which blocks the effect of estrogen on breast cancer cells.
About 80 percent of breast cancer patients have the kind of cancer that responds to hormone-based therapy like tamoxifen, and the drug has been shown to reduce the cancer's spread.
But the question has been who can safely get away with just surgery and either tamoxifen or newer, hormone-based drugs called aromatase inhibitors.
Paik's team used samples from 668 patients who got surgery and tamoxifen but not chemotherapy, and looked at 16 different cancer-related genes to see which ones were active." Read More...
Yahoo! News - Test Shows Who Needs Chemo for Cancer
Friday, December 10, 2004
Method removes MTBE from water
The simplest way to prevent your drinking water of MTBE contaminations is to install a Water Filter or Purification system at home. Technology normally take 3-5 years of research & testing before it is available to consumers...
Method removes MTBE from water
Pollutant thought to be a carcinogen
By By Doug Main
Dec. 9, 2004 — A researcher has discovered an effective way to remove a troubling new pollutant from our nation's water sources.
Pratim Biswas, The Stifel and Quinette Jens Professor of Environmental Engineering Science and director of the Environmental Engineering Science Program at Washington University in St. Louis, has found a method for removing the toxin MTBE from water. MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) has been detected at low levels in municipal water sources around the nation and in several cases has made its way into citizens' tap water.
A new technique by a WUSTL environmental engineer addresses the toxicity of the gas additive MTBE.
A new technique by a WUSTL environmental engineer addresses the toxicity of the gas additive MTBE.
Biswas discovered that a nanostructured form of a compound called titanium dioxide causes MTBE to react with dissolved oxygen so that it yields the harmless gas carbon dioxide. This reaction proceeds via oxidation of MTBE on the surface of the titanium dioxide to produce a harmful end product. Biswas then designed nanostructure configurations of this catalyst to optimally degrade the pollutant.
"These photo-catalysts can be powered by an artificial light source or can be designed to run on solar power," said Biswas.
Biswas presented his research at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting, held Aug. 23-25 in Philadelphia.
One of the researcher's innovations was developing a special micro-lamp (corona) that emits a glow after a current is run through it. But that's not all: This system also can be tailored to produce ozone, which speeds up the oxidation of MTBE to carbon dioxide. Read More...
Method removes MTBE from water
Method removes MTBE from water
Pollutant thought to be a carcinogen
By By Doug Main
Dec. 9, 2004 — A researcher has discovered an effective way to remove a troubling new pollutant from our nation's water sources.
Pratim Biswas, The Stifel and Quinette Jens Professor of Environmental Engineering Science and director of the Environmental Engineering Science Program at Washington University in St. Louis, has found a method for removing the toxin MTBE from water. MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) has been detected at low levels in municipal water sources around the nation and in several cases has made its way into citizens' tap water.
A new technique by a WUSTL environmental engineer addresses the toxicity of the gas additive MTBE.
A new technique by a WUSTL environmental engineer addresses the toxicity of the gas additive MTBE.
Biswas discovered that a nanostructured form of a compound called titanium dioxide causes MTBE to react with dissolved oxygen so that it yields the harmless gas carbon dioxide. This reaction proceeds via oxidation of MTBE on the surface of the titanium dioxide to produce a harmful end product. Biswas then designed nanostructure configurations of this catalyst to optimally degrade the pollutant.
"These photo-catalysts can be powered by an artificial light source or can be designed to run on solar power," said Biswas.
Biswas presented his research at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting, held Aug. 23-25 in Philadelphia.
One of the researcher's innovations was developing a special micro-lamp (corona) that emits a glow after a current is run through it. But that's not all: This system also can be tailored to produce ozone, which speeds up the oxidation of MTBE to carbon dioxide. Read More...
Method removes MTBE from water
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Sarnia company faces charges in spill - thetimesherald.com
Any form of spill would cause contamination to the ground & air as well. Therefore, local authority is to check on these constantly....
Sarnia company faces charges in spill
Royal Polymers may pay millions if it's convicted
By CHRIS SEBASTIAN Times Herald
CHARGES FILED: Sarnia's Chemical Valley glows at night. One of its companies, Royal Polymers, is being charged for a spill into the St. Clair River.
ONLINE
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
# For details on the ministry and for details about other environmental-protection enforcement, visit www.ene.gov.on.ca.
The Ontario government has charged Canadian chemical company Royal Polymers Ltd. with violating several environmental laws relating to the August 2003 chemical spill into the St. Clair River.
If convicted, the Chemical Valley petroleum company could face fines of more than $12 million Canadian.
Royal Polymers Ltd. spilled almost 300 pounds of toxic vinyl chloride monomer into the river during last year's massive U.S. and Canadian blackout.
Company officials said equipment failed during the blackout.
No one reported illness or injury related to the spill.
The leak was the first in a chain of unrelated spills from a few companies during a yearlong period. The Royal Polymers spill, as with about six after it, caused U.S. and Canadian water plants to temporarily stop drawing drinking water from the river.
It's the first company to be charged by the Ontario Ministry of Environment for the latest spills. The first court date is Jan. 14 in Sarnia. Read More....
Sarnia company faces charges in spill - thetimesherald.com
Sarnia company faces charges in spill
Royal Polymers may pay millions if it's convicted
By CHRIS SEBASTIAN Times Herald
CHARGES FILED: Sarnia's Chemical Valley glows at night. One of its companies, Royal Polymers, is being charged for a spill into the St. Clair River.
ONLINE
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
# For details on the ministry and for details about other environmental-protection enforcement, visit www.ene.gov.on.ca.
The Ontario government has charged Canadian chemical company Royal Polymers Ltd. with violating several environmental laws relating to the August 2003 chemical spill into the St. Clair River.
If convicted, the Chemical Valley petroleum company could face fines of more than $12 million Canadian.
Royal Polymers Ltd. spilled almost 300 pounds of toxic vinyl chloride monomer into the river during last year's massive U.S. and Canadian blackout.
Company officials said equipment failed during the blackout.
No one reported illness or injury related to the spill.
The leak was the first in a chain of unrelated spills from a few companies during a yearlong period. The Royal Polymers spill, as with about six after it, caused U.S. and Canadian water plants to temporarily stop drawing drinking water from the river.
It's the first company to be charged by the Ontario Ministry of Environment for the latest spills. The first court date is Jan. 14 in Sarnia. Read More....
Sarnia company faces charges in spill - thetimesherald.com
County insists on chloramine answers - San Mateo Daily Journal
The addictives in Drinking Water must be filtered out 1st, before you drink. Therefore the best things is to use a Drink Water filter system at home. I will gives you some advise on water filter or purifier system. Write me at CharlieBrown8989@gmail.com
County insists on chloramine answers
By Michelle Durand Daily Journal Staff
Chloramine, the controversial water additive, may be safe for general consumption but county supervisors unanimously called yesterday for a scientific stamp of approval.
The board agreed to support the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s request for a formal position on the additive by the California Conference of Local Health Officers. The vote came only after a litany of possible side effects were rattled off by water users: severe asthma, rashes, lesions, passing out, skin burns.
“I survived cancer 10 years ago but my water may kill me,” said Claudette Maine, an ovarian cancer survivor with a compromised immune system.
Fremont resident Wynn Greich, who works in Millbrae, brought jars and bottles of nails soaked in water to show how chloramine eats at metal.
“When aluminum corrodes it leeches into the brain and gives you Alzheimer’s,” she said, adding that most people cook with aluminum pots.
The speakers were so demonstrative that Mark Church, president of the Board of Supervisors, reminded them the county is not the agency which put chloramine in the drinking water.
Chloramine is the combination of chlorine and ammonia and is used as a disinfectant in the public water supply. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission — which oversees the Hetch Hetchy water system along the Peninsula — switched from chlorine to chloramine Feb. 1 to comply with stricter environmental standards. Chlorine kills germs but isn’t considered as effective or long-lasting as chloramine. Opponents, though, have publicly questioned if the change left the system of 2.4 million customers more at risk for health problems.Read More...
San Mateo Daily Journal
County insists on chloramine answers
By Michelle Durand Daily Journal Staff
Chloramine, the controversial water additive, may be safe for general consumption but county supervisors unanimously called yesterday for a scientific stamp of approval.
The board agreed to support the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s request for a formal position on the additive by the California Conference of Local Health Officers. The vote came only after a litany of possible side effects were rattled off by water users: severe asthma, rashes, lesions, passing out, skin burns.
“I survived cancer 10 years ago but my water may kill me,” said Claudette Maine, an ovarian cancer survivor with a compromised immune system.
Fremont resident Wynn Greich, who works in Millbrae, brought jars and bottles of nails soaked in water to show how chloramine eats at metal.
“When aluminum corrodes it leeches into the brain and gives you Alzheimer’s,” she said, adding that most people cook with aluminum pots.
The speakers were so demonstrative that Mark Church, president of the Board of Supervisors, reminded them the county is not the agency which put chloramine in the drinking water.
Chloramine is the combination of chlorine and ammonia and is used as a disinfectant in the public water supply. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission — which oversees the Hetch Hetchy water system along the Peninsula — switched from chlorine to chloramine Feb. 1 to comply with stricter environmental standards. Chlorine kills germs but isn’t considered as effective or long-lasting as chloramine. Opponents, though, have publicly questioned if the change left the system of 2.4 million customers more at risk for health problems.Read More...
San Mateo Daily Journal
Tallevast residents want answers
Florida resident voice their concerns on the drinking water, contamination.... But in many other countries in people are not as
open like US or Europe, openly voicing their concern on Drinking Water contaminations...
Tallevast residents want answers
DONNA WRIGHT Herald Staff Writer
Did a past industrial spill put their health at risk?
Are the illnesses, miscarriages and cancers they have experienced during the past 40 years connected to toxins released by the now-defunct Loral American Beryllium Co.?
The questions don't stop at Tallavest's borders.
Former employees of the Tallavest plant want to know if their exposure to beryllium dust during the processing of the exotic metal put them at risk for a rare and sometimes fatal lung disease.
Residents who lived close to the plant are concerned about chronic beryllium disease, too, because of their exposure to dust from the factory.
Finding answers to those long-term health questions could take months, if not years, as scientists and industrial health experts run tests to learn who might have been exposed to what toxins in the air, groundwater and even private, drinking-water wells.
Local and state health officials are scheduled to update residents today on the Tallevast Health Assessment, an official study being conducted by a state team under the supervision of the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Participants will also hear an overview of the county's plan to test former workers and residents known to have a past high risk of exposure to beryllium dust, said Dr. Gladys Branic, Manatee County's health department director.
Branic said she will also share her strategy for collecting medical histories by sending health workers door to door to gather data on cancer deaths among Tallevast's 85 households.
That data will then be matched with maps of the contamination area to see if any patterns emerge, Branic said. Read More...
Tallevast residents want answers
open like US or Europe, openly voicing their concern on Drinking Water contaminations...
Tallevast residents want answers
DONNA WRIGHT Herald Staff Writer
Did a past industrial spill put their health at risk?
Are the illnesses, miscarriages and cancers they have experienced during the past 40 years connected to toxins released by the now-defunct Loral American Beryllium Co.?
The questions don't stop at Tallavest's borders.
Former employees of the Tallavest plant want to know if their exposure to beryllium dust during the processing of the exotic metal put them at risk for a rare and sometimes fatal lung disease.
Residents who lived close to the plant are concerned about chronic beryllium disease, too, because of their exposure to dust from the factory.
Finding answers to those long-term health questions could take months, if not years, as scientists and industrial health experts run tests to learn who might have been exposed to what toxins in the air, groundwater and even private, drinking-water wells.
Local and state health officials are scheduled to update residents today on the Tallevast Health Assessment, an official study being conducted by a state team under the supervision of the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Participants will also hear an overview of the county's plan to test former workers and residents known to have a past high risk of exposure to beryllium dust, said Dr. Gladys Branic, Manatee County's health department director.
Branic said she will also share her strategy for collecting medical histories by sending health workers door to door to gather data on cancer deaths among Tallevast's 85 households.
That data will then be matched with maps of the contamination area to see if any patterns emerge, Branic said. Read More...
Tallevast residents want answers
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Helping the Public Reduce Exposure to Biological Contamination - NSF International : Newsroom
This press release is worth reading...
NSF International Completes Testing of Household Drinking Water Products to Provide Homeland Security Protection
Helping the Public Reduce Exposure to Biological Contamination
Ann Arbor, MI - NSF International in conjunction with the U.S. EPA National Homeland Security Research Center and Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program has recently completed verification tests of three residential point-of-use water treatment systems. The test results indicate that the three residential drinking water treatment systems could reduce waterborne bacteria and viruses in the event of intentional contamination within a municipal or private water supply during a homeland security event.
Through an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant, the NSF/EPA ETV program provides independent performance evaluations of drinking water technologies. Technologies were tested for their ability to remove waterborne bacteria and viruses similar to those that could be used in an intentional biological contamination event. The Kinetico Purefecta™, Sears Kenmore Ultrafilter 500, and Watts Premier Ultra 5 were tested at the Ann Arbor, Michigan laboratories of NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization.
All devices tested reduced biological agent surrogates that represent possible biological contaminants. The surrogates were selected by experts from government agencies and academia working on water security. The units were tested using five different microorganisms, and the ability of the devices to reduce the concentration of each was measured and verified. All three products use reverse osmosis, a membrane separation technology, to remove microorganisms. The results are available on the ETV website.
ETV is a public/private partnership that provides quality-assured, peer-reviewed test data about the performance of new environmental technologies so that purchasers and regulators are aided in their decisions about innovative environmental technology.
"For more than 40 years, NSF International has been working with the EPA, and we think that the tests conducted through the ETV program will help contribute to protecting the nation's water supply," said Gordon Bellen, NSF vice president of research, who manages the program. Read More....
NSF International : Newsroom : News and Press Releases
NSF International Completes Testing of Household Drinking Water Products to Provide Homeland Security Protection
Helping the Public Reduce Exposure to Biological Contamination
Ann Arbor, MI - NSF International in conjunction with the U.S. EPA National Homeland Security Research Center and Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program has recently completed verification tests of three residential point-of-use water treatment systems. The test results indicate that the three residential drinking water treatment systems could reduce waterborne bacteria and viruses in the event of intentional contamination within a municipal or private water supply during a homeland security event.
Through an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant, the NSF/EPA ETV program provides independent performance evaluations of drinking water technologies. Technologies were tested for their ability to remove waterborne bacteria and viruses similar to those that could be used in an intentional biological contamination event. The Kinetico Purefecta™, Sears Kenmore Ultrafilter 500, and Watts Premier Ultra 5 were tested at the Ann Arbor, Michigan laboratories of NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization.
All devices tested reduced biological agent surrogates that represent possible biological contaminants. The surrogates were selected by experts from government agencies and academia working on water security. The units were tested using five different microorganisms, and the ability of the devices to reduce the concentration of each was measured and verified. All three products use reverse osmosis, a membrane separation technology, to remove microorganisms. The results are available on the ETV website.
ETV is a public/private partnership that provides quality-assured, peer-reviewed test data about the performance of new environmental technologies so that purchasers and regulators are aided in their decisions about innovative environmental technology.
"For more than 40 years, NSF International has been working with the EPA, and we think that the tests conducted through the ETV program will help contribute to protecting the nation's water supply," said Gordon Bellen, NSF vice president of research, who manages the program. Read More....
NSF International : Newsroom : News and Press Releases
Agencies aren't monitoring air, water pollution in Greene County PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Study:
This is certainly surprising news, Agencies not doing their work!
Study: Agencies aren't monitoring air, water pollution in Greene County
12/7/2004, 1:41 a.m. ET
The Associated Press
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (AP) — Government agencies aren't adequately monitoring air and water pollution in Greene County and aren't researching possible links between the county's high cancer rates and unhealthy levels of smog, soot and other contaminants, a study by a national environmental group said.
The Natural Resources Defense Council's "Pollution Unchecked" study, to be released Tuesday, not only found Greene County's cancer rates were among the highest in the state and nation, but also accused the state and federal environmental agencies of not actively gathering pollution data.
"There's a lot of pollution in southwestern Pennsylvania that both the state and federal environmental agencies have been sweeping under the rug and haven't been monitoring," the study's co-author, Erik Olson, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for its Tuesday edition. "It's a double whammy for the population because the agencies have been looking the other way." Read More....
PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Study: Agencies aren't monitoring air, water pollution in Greene County
Study: Agencies aren't monitoring air, water pollution in Greene County
12/7/2004, 1:41 a.m. ET
The Associated Press
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (AP) — Government agencies aren't adequately monitoring air and water pollution in Greene County and aren't researching possible links between the county's high cancer rates and unhealthy levels of smog, soot and other contaminants, a study by a national environmental group said.
The Natural Resources Defense Council's "Pollution Unchecked" study, to be released Tuesday, not only found Greene County's cancer rates were among the highest in the state and nation, but also accused the state and federal environmental agencies of not actively gathering pollution data.
"There's a lot of pollution in southwestern Pennsylvania that both the state and federal environmental agencies have been sweeping under the rug and haven't been monitoring," the study's co-author, Erik Olson, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for its Tuesday edition. "It's a double whammy for the population because the agencies have been looking the other way." Read More....
PennLive.com: NewsFlash - Study: Agencies aren't monitoring air, water pollution in Greene County
Chemical company ordered to extend ground water monitoring. 08/12/2004. ABC News Online
Australia is having serious problem on water supplies issue, my earlier blog have report on these. Now it is the contamination issue..
Chemical company ordered to extend ground water monitoring
The Department of Environment and Conservation has ordered chemical company Orica to extend a ground water monitoring program around Botany Bay in Sydney's south after tests showed contamination spreading outside an existing exclusion zone.
Orica is already spending $167 million on removing a plume of contaminated water that had threatened to spill into Botany Bay.
Now low levels of contamination have been found in a residential bore at Collins Street in Botany, an area the department's chief executive of operations, Joe Woodward, says should not be affected.
"It is surprising that these new results are upstream of where we thought the ground water was flowing, but the good news is that the results are within drinking water standard and the additional information we've required will allow any new contamination to be picked up," he said.
Opposition environment spokesman Michael Richardson says it is disturbing news and shows the Carr Government can not guarantee where the plume is moving. Read More...
Chemical company ordered to extend ground water monitoring. 08/12/2004. ABC News Online
Chemical company ordered to extend ground water monitoring
The Department of Environment and Conservation has ordered chemical company Orica to extend a ground water monitoring program around Botany Bay in Sydney's south after tests showed contamination spreading outside an existing exclusion zone.
Orica is already spending $167 million on removing a plume of contaminated water that had threatened to spill into Botany Bay.
Now low levels of contamination have been found in a residential bore at Collins Street in Botany, an area the department's chief executive of operations, Joe Woodward, says should not be affected.
"It is surprising that these new results are upstream of where we thought the ground water was flowing, but the good news is that the results are within drinking water standard and the additional information we've required will allow any new contamination to be picked up," he said.
Opposition environment spokesman Michael Richardson says it is disturbing news and shows the Carr Government can not guarantee where the plume is moving. Read More...
Chemical company ordered to extend ground water monitoring. 08/12/2004. ABC News Online
A Link Between Lead Exposure and Cataracts? Health News Article | Reuters.com
Lead contamination in Drinking water is certainly serious. Now the research found that it will developing caataracts..
A Link Between Lead Exposure and Cataracts?
Tue Dec 7, 2004 04:09 PM ET
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lifetime exposure to lead from paint in older houses, drinking water pipes and other sources appears to increase men's risk of cataract development, researchers reported on Tuesday.
"This research suggests that reduction of lead exposure throughout a man's lifetime should help reduce his chances of developing cataracts and of requiring cataract surgery," said Debra Schaumberg of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, lead author of the study.
"By preventing or delaying the onset of this condition, many instances of blindness worldwide could be prevented," she added.
Her study, published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at data from 795 U.S. men age 60 and older for whom bone lead levels were measured between 1991 and 1999. The report did not speculate about whether the findings would also apply to women.
In the United States about 20 percent of those in their 60s develop cataracts. The problem accounts for more than 40 percent of all cases of blindness worldwide, the report said. Read More....
Health News Article | Reuters.com
A Link Between Lead Exposure and Cataracts?
Tue Dec 7, 2004 04:09 PM ET
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lifetime exposure to lead from paint in older houses, drinking water pipes and other sources appears to increase men's risk of cataract development, researchers reported on Tuesday.
"This research suggests that reduction of lead exposure throughout a man's lifetime should help reduce his chances of developing cataracts and of requiring cataract surgery," said Debra Schaumberg of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, lead author of the study.
"By preventing or delaying the onset of this condition, many instances of blindness worldwide could be prevented," she added.
Her study, published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at data from 795 U.S. men age 60 and older for whom bone lead levels were measured between 1991 and 1999. The report did not speculate about whether the findings would also apply to women.
In the United States about 20 percent of those in their 60s develop cataracts. The problem accounts for more than 40 percent of all cases of blindness worldwide, the report said. Read More....
Health News Article | Reuters.com
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Water board OKs river discharge
Waste Water should not be allow to discharge to the ground or sea or Lakes, unless is processed, with the harmful contaminants removed..
Water board OKs river discharge
By Bryan Brooks bryan.brooks@gwinnettdailypost.com
LAWRENCEVILLE — A board charged with overseeing metro Atlanta’s water supply has endorsed a temporary plan that would let Gwinnett put more wastewater in the Chattahoochee River.
Gwinnett is asking the state for permission to send 9 million gallons of highly treated sewage per day to the river on its western border, but state regulators cannot approve the discharge unless it complies with regional water plans.
With that in mind, officials who direct a 16-county water planning agency changed their long-range plans last week so Gwinnett can get the permit from the state Environmental Protection Division.
EPD is still reviewing Gwinnett’s permit request and will issue a draft permit and take public comment in early 2005.
“We’re still fairly early in the review process,” said EPD spokesman Kevin Chambers.
Gwinnett needs the temporary river permit because it’s expanding the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center near Buford, and so far litigation has blocked efforts to send the additional wastewater to Lake Lanier.
For that reason, it’s unlikely a pipeline to the lake can be built before the county’s population and business growth outstrips the plant’s current capacity, which means the county must find an alternate discharge point.
“The permit would help us bridge the time while we are under construction with the reclaimed water pipeline to Lake Lanier,” said Frank Stephens a deputy director at the Gwinnett Public Utilities Department.
Even before growth requires the extra capacity, the county would like to be able to use the $400 million plant expansion so it can treat less wastewater at older plants across the county, Stephens said. Read More....
Water board OKs river discharge
Water board OKs river discharge
By Bryan Brooks bryan.brooks@gwinnettdailypost.com
LAWRENCEVILLE — A board charged with overseeing metro Atlanta’s water supply has endorsed a temporary plan that would let Gwinnett put more wastewater in the Chattahoochee River.
Gwinnett is asking the state for permission to send 9 million gallons of highly treated sewage per day to the river on its western border, but state regulators cannot approve the discharge unless it complies with regional water plans.
With that in mind, officials who direct a 16-county water planning agency changed their long-range plans last week so Gwinnett can get the permit from the state Environmental Protection Division.
EPD is still reviewing Gwinnett’s permit request and will issue a draft permit and take public comment in early 2005.
“We’re still fairly early in the review process,” said EPD spokesman Kevin Chambers.
Gwinnett needs the temporary river permit because it’s expanding the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center near Buford, and so far litigation has blocked efforts to send the additional wastewater to Lake Lanier.
For that reason, it’s unlikely a pipeline to the lake can be built before the county’s population and business growth outstrips the plant’s current capacity, which means the county must find an alternate discharge point.
“The permit would help us bridge the time while we are under construction with the reclaimed water pipeline to Lake Lanier,” said Frank Stephens a deputy director at the Gwinnett Public Utilities Department.
Even before growth requires the extra capacity, the county would like to be able to use the $400 million plant expansion so it can treat less wastewater at older plants across the county, Stephens said. Read More....
Water board OKs river discharge
Proposed bill may affect Great Lakes' water quality - News
Any sinful act in contaminating our mother earth is not accepted. This proposal should receive good endorsement from resident's in the region.
Proposed bill may affect Great Lakes' water quality
MARQUETTE, MI � US Rep. Bart Stupak has introduced a bill that aims to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal he believes would harm the Great Lakes, according to a Dec. 7 article by The Mining Journal.
The Sewage Free Waters Act was introduced to block a proposal Stupak expects from the EPA in coming weeks. The bill would prohibit the EPA from allowing partially treated human sewage to be pumped into waterways, according to the article.
Stupak's legislation was brought about because of an EPA proposal from November 2003, which would allow publicly owned water treatment facilities to divert sewage around secondary treatment units during heavy rains and then combine the filtered but untreated human sewage with fully treated wastewater, the article said. Read More...
News
Proposed bill may affect Great Lakes' water quality
MARQUETTE, MI � US Rep. Bart Stupak has introduced a bill that aims to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal he believes would harm the Great Lakes, according to a Dec. 7 article by The Mining Journal.
The Sewage Free Waters Act was introduced to block a proposal Stupak expects from the EPA in coming weeks. The bill would prohibit the EPA from allowing partially treated human sewage to be pumped into waterways, according to the article.
Stupak's legislation was brought about because of an EPA proposal from November 2003, which would allow publicly owned water treatment facilities to divert sewage around secondary treatment units during heavy rains and then combine the filtered but untreated human sewage with fully treated wastewater, the article said. Read More...
News
High Desert district works on water project
This certainly is good action for people in the high dersert area, as the populations is growing fast...
High Desert district works on water project
By CHUCK MUELLER Staff Writer
Saturday, December 04, 2004 - VICTORVILLE - Anticipating continued High Desert growth, a water district is constructing a system of ponds to percolate water into this city's underlying aquifer to meet future demand.
If the $10 million system is feasible, the Victor Valley Water District will link the ponds via an 8-mile-long pipeline to bring water from the California Aqueduct to the ponds.
Eventually, as much as 13,000 acre-feet of aqueduct water may be released annually into ponds on 64 acres at the southwest corner of Yates Road and Cypress Avenue. An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, the amount of water consumed yearly by a family of four.
The water district serves 20,000 customers in a 55-square-mile area encompassing Victorville and unincorporated Mountain View Acres to the west.
"Work is now under way on our pilot percolation project along the Oro Grande Wash,' said district spokeswoman Amy Lyn De Zwart. "The project, which includes two one-acre ponds, will provide the district with data to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of additional ponds.
"Water will be pumped from the underground basin into the ponds (so that) the water will seep back into the aquifer.'
De Zwart said a special monitoring well, drilled by the U.S. Geological Survey to a depth of 230 feet, will provide details about how far, how fast and in what direction the percolated water is flowing.Read More..
High Desert district works on water project
By CHUCK MUELLER Staff Writer
Saturday, December 04, 2004 - VICTORVILLE - Anticipating continued High Desert growth, a water district is constructing a system of ponds to percolate water into this city's underlying aquifer to meet future demand.
If the $10 million system is feasible, the Victor Valley Water District will link the ponds via an 8-mile-long pipeline to bring water from the California Aqueduct to the ponds.
Eventually, as much as 13,000 acre-feet of aqueduct water may be released annually into ponds on 64 acres at the southwest corner of Yates Road and Cypress Avenue. An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, the amount of water consumed yearly by a family of four.
The water district serves 20,000 customers in a 55-square-mile area encompassing Victorville and unincorporated Mountain View Acres to the west.
"Work is now under way on our pilot percolation project along the Oro Grande Wash,' said district spokeswoman Amy Lyn De Zwart. "The project, which includes two one-acre ponds, will provide the district with data to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of additional ponds.
"Water will be pumped from the underground basin into the ponds (so that) the water will seep back into the aquifer.'
De Zwart said a special monitoring well, drilled by the U.S. Geological Survey to a depth of 230 feet, will provide details about how far, how fast and in what direction the percolated water is flowing.Read More..
Water defense technology project begins
The earlier posting, I said about the Foods defense against terrorism.. Now this report is the research for Water Defense Technology. Yes not Only Water, Air as well!! The most important is the mental & culture defense for all.
Water defense technology project begins
LIVERMORE, CA � Today, Sandia National Laboratories, CH2M Hill and Tenix Investments Pty. Ltd. announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership to develop an unattended water safety system for chemical and bacteria detection in water supplies, according to a news release.
The technology plans to offer detection to unmonitored biological agents such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa, the release said.
"We applaud this first major agreement announced by Sandia to develop technology with such strong potential for homeland security applications," Carol Linden, deputy director of Threat Analysis and Countermeasures for the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Research and Development, said in the release.
According to the release, Tenix, an Australia defense and technology contractor, is working with Englewood, CO-based CH2M Hill, Inc. to develop, pilot and demonstrate an Unattended Water Safety analyzer for use in potable water, reclaimed water and wastewater systems. Read More...
News
Water defense technology project begins
LIVERMORE, CA � Today, Sandia National Laboratories, CH2M Hill and Tenix Investments Pty. Ltd. announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership to develop an unattended water safety system for chemical and bacteria detection in water supplies, according to a news release.
The technology plans to offer detection to unmonitored biological agents such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa, the release said.
"We applaud this first major agreement announced by Sandia to develop technology with such strong potential for homeland security applications," Carol Linden, deputy director of Threat Analysis and Countermeasures for the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Research and Development, said in the release.
According to the release, Tenix, an Australia defense and technology contractor, is working with Englewood, CO-based CH2M Hill, Inc. to develop, pilot and demonstrate an Unattended Water Safety analyzer for use in potable water, reclaimed water and wastewater systems. Read More...
News
- FDA completes plan to protect food supply from attacks - USATODAY.com
Beside Food supply protections, it is a holy responsibity & duties of each & individual to protect our Drinking Water...Ground Water & Air..
FDA completes plan to protect food supply from attacks
By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced the final portion of its post-9/11 rules to protect the USA's food supply.
The action comes just four days after outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said he can't understand why terrorists haven't attacked the U.S. food supply, because 'it's so easy to do.'
The rules are the final piece of new authorities given to the FDA by Congress in the wake of the anthrax contamination that followed the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. That contamination further highlighted the nation's vulnerability to less well-known forms of terrorism and harassment. Five people died because of their exposure to envelopes laced with the deadly bacteria.
The rules require that companies keep records so officials can trace the source of food contamination. The hope is that investigators will zero in on the exact point at which a particular food was tainted.
The new rules will be important in allowing the FDA to deal with food-related emergencies, 'such as deliberate contamination of food by terrorists,' says Lester Crawford, acting FDA commissioner.
Any company that manufactures, processes, packs, transports, distributes, receives, holds or imports food must keep records showing where it obtained the food and where it shipped it.
Farms, restaurants, food banks and individuals preparing food in the home are exempt. Read More...
USATODAY.com - FDA completes plan to protect food supply from attacks
FDA completes plan to protect food supply from attacks
By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced the final portion of its post-9/11 rules to protect the USA's food supply.
The action comes just four days after outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said he can't understand why terrorists haven't attacked the U.S. food supply, because 'it's so easy to do.'
The rules are the final piece of new authorities given to the FDA by Congress in the wake of the anthrax contamination that followed the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. That contamination further highlighted the nation's vulnerability to less well-known forms of terrorism and harassment. Five people died because of their exposure to envelopes laced with the deadly bacteria.
The rules require that companies keep records so officials can trace the source of food contamination. The hope is that investigators will zero in on the exact point at which a particular food was tainted.
The new rules will be important in allowing the FDA to deal with food-related emergencies, 'such as deliberate contamination of food by terrorists,' says Lester Crawford, acting FDA commissioner.
Any company that manufactures, processes, packs, transports, distributes, receives, holds or imports food must keep records showing where it obtained the food and where it shipped it.
Farms, restaurants, food banks and individuals preparing food in the home are exempt. Read More...
USATODAY.com - FDA completes plan to protect food supply from attacks
Monday, December 06, 2004
DEVILS LAKE: Threat on tap -- Grand Forks Herald | 12/05/2004 |
PipeLine Problem is also a big problem, it have to attend to it immediately...
DEVILS LAKE: Threat on tap
Underground and under water, aging pipeline looms as major city worry By Ryan Bakken Herald Staff Writer
DEVILS LAKE - The City of Devils Lake has a water problem.
No, not that water problem. Another water problem. A bigger water problem.
"We've added 3 feet to our dike system this fall, and the state outlet will start taking water off the lake next year, so we've done what we can to protect us from the flooding lake," Devils Lake Mayor Fred Bott said.
"The issue of a new water supply is a bigger issue."
The city's drinking water source is an aquifer near Warwick, N.D., 18 miles southeast. Six miles of the 18-mile underground pipeline is under the flooding lake, some of it up to 40 feet below the water surface.
So, fixing a potential pipeline break would be expensive and time consuming. It also would mean a dramatic change in the water-use habits of residents.
"Not being able to readily repair any problems puts us in a precarious situation," said Mike Grafsgaard, Devils Lake city engineer.
But the water uncertainties don't end there. The drinking water's arsenic level is too high.
If the city receives an expected extension to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, it has until 2009 to find a remedy.
But a remedy will cost $13 million to $18 million, and a funding source is uncertain. Even if everything runs according to plan, the work wouldn't be completed until mid-2008.
Until then, city residents will keep their fingers crossed about the underground and underwater pipe.
"That's another clock that is ticking," Bott said.
Aging pipeline
Devils Lake's pipeline to the Warwick Aquifer is 40 years old. It hasn't suffered any leaks yet, but the threat is great. Read More...
Grand Forks Herald | 12/05/2004 | DEVILS LAKE: Threat on tap
DEVILS LAKE: Threat on tap
Underground and under water, aging pipeline looms as major city worry By Ryan Bakken Herald Staff Writer
DEVILS LAKE - The City of Devils Lake has a water problem.
No, not that water problem. Another water problem. A bigger water problem.
"We've added 3 feet to our dike system this fall, and the state outlet will start taking water off the lake next year, so we've done what we can to protect us from the flooding lake," Devils Lake Mayor Fred Bott said.
"The issue of a new water supply is a bigger issue."
The city's drinking water source is an aquifer near Warwick, N.D., 18 miles southeast. Six miles of the 18-mile underground pipeline is under the flooding lake, some of it up to 40 feet below the water surface.
So, fixing a potential pipeline break would be expensive and time consuming. It also would mean a dramatic change in the water-use habits of residents.
"Not being able to readily repair any problems puts us in a precarious situation," said Mike Grafsgaard, Devils Lake city engineer.
But the water uncertainties don't end there. The drinking water's arsenic level is too high.
If the city receives an expected extension to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, it has until 2009 to find a remedy.
But a remedy will cost $13 million to $18 million, and a funding source is uncertain. Even if everything runs according to plan, the work wouldn't be completed until mid-2008.
Until then, city residents will keep their fingers crossed about the underground and underwater pipe.
"That's another clock that is ticking," Bott said.
Aging pipeline
Devils Lake's pipeline to the Warwick Aquifer is 40 years old. It hasn't suffered any leaks yet, but the threat is great. Read More...
Grand Forks Herald | 12/05/2004 | DEVILS LAKE: Threat on tap
Land purchase to protect water
LeeAnne Connolly, certainly worth to commemorate for her actions..
Land purchase to protect water
Sunday, December 05, 2004
By JENNIFER PICARD
jpicard@repub.com
BELCHERTOWN - Conservation crusader LeeAnne Connolly doesn't wait for state officials to confirm they'll grant the town money for land preservation.
She's already started a campaign to raise $123,200, which, along with the grant, will allow the town to buy 51 more acres of the former Topping Farm.
Permanently shielding the parcel from development will protect the area's drinking water supply, said Connolly. The land is a major recharge area for the Lawrence Swamp aquifer, whose wells pump drinking water to Amherst, Belchertown, and Pelham, and for the Daigle Well, which serves Belchertown.
People may "think clear drinking water is in unlimited supply, but it's not. Once it's gone, it's gone forever," Connolly said earlier this week.
"This is something I really believe in, and I think other people in town do, too," she said. "When you talk about aquifer protection, it should tug at people's hearts."
The state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs grant for $261,800, which Connolly hopes will be awarded, will cover two-thirds of the land's $385,000 purchase price.
For the rest, Connolly is turning to residents; local land trusts, such as the Kestrel Trust of Amherst and the Belchertown Land Trust; nonprofit organizations; and any other generous private and public entities.
In 2000, Connolly led the campaign to preserve more than 100 acres of Topping Farm land. Later, she plans to go after the remaining 103 acres, which will be a preservation coup for one of the fastest-growing communities in Massachusetts. read More...
Land purchase to protect water
Land purchase to protect water
Sunday, December 05, 2004
By JENNIFER PICARD
jpicard@repub.com
BELCHERTOWN - Conservation crusader LeeAnne Connolly doesn't wait for state officials to confirm they'll grant the town money for land preservation.
She's already started a campaign to raise $123,200, which, along with the grant, will allow the town to buy 51 more acres of the former Topping Farm.
Permanently shielding the parcel from development will protect the area's drinking water supply, said Connolly. The land is a major recharge area for the Lawrence Swamp aquifer, whose wells pump drinking water to Amherst, Belchertown, and Pelham, and for the Daigle Well, which serves Belchertown.
People may "think clear drinking water is in unlimited supply, but it's not. Once it's gone, it's gone forever," Connolly said earlier this week.
"This is something I really believe in, and I think other people in town do, too," she said. "When you talk about aquifer protection, it should tug at people's hearts."
The state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs grant for $261,800, which Connolly hopes will be awarded, will cover two-thirds of the land's $385,000 purchase price.
For the rest, Connolly is turning to residents; local land trusts, such as the Kestrel Trust of Amherst and the Belchertown Land Trust; nonprofit organizations; and any other generous private and public entities.
In 2000, Connolly led the campaign to preserve more than 100 acres of Topping Farm land. Later, she plans to go after the remaining 103 acres, which will be a preservation coup for one of the fastest-growing communities in Massachusetts. read More...
Land purchase to protect water
Cause of oil spill still pending
This is happen in Delaware. We need to be alert on any form of contamination on our drinking water..
Cause of oil spill still pending
Monday, December 6, 2004
By STEVE LEVINE Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA
Officials investigating the Delaware River oil spill emphasized Sunday they have neither determined nor discounted any causes.
Media reports over the weekend suggested pilot error or negligence had been ruled out, but that is not the case, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Russ Tippets.
'That's still under investigation,' Tippets said. 'I don't know where they would have gotten that information, but it wasn't from the Coast Guard.'
A leak was discovered from the Cyprus-flagged Athos I as it prepared to dock at a CITGO refinery in Paulsboro on Nov. 26.
Divers found two gashes in the tanker's hull, including one that is six feet long.
There has been speculation that the Greek-owned tanker might have struck a 14-foot propeller missing since it was dropped by an Army Corps of Engineers' dredge boat in April."Cause of oil spill still pending
Monday, December 6, 2004
By STEVE LEVINE
Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA
Officials investigating the Delaware River oil spill emphasized Sunday they have neither determined nor discounted any causes.
Media reports over the weekend suggested pilot error or negligence had been ruled out, but that is not the case, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Russ Tippets.
"That's still under investigation," Tippets said. "I don't know where they would have gotten that information, but it wasn't from the Coast Guard."
A leak was discovered from the Cyprus-flagged Athos I as it prepared to dock at a CITGO refinery in Paulsboro on Nov. 26.
Divers found two gashes in the tanker's hull, including one that is six feet long.
There has been speculation that the Greek-owned tanker might have struck a 14-foot propeller missing since it was dropped by an Army Corps of Engineers' dredge boat in April. Read More...
Cause of oil spill still pending
Cause of oil spill still pending
Monday, December 6, 2004
By STEVE LEVINE Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA
Officials investigating the Delaware River oil spill emphasized Sunday they have neither determined nor discounted any causes.
Media reports over the weekend suggested pilot error or negligence had been ruled out, but that is not the case, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Russ Tippets.
'That's still under investigation,' Tippets said. 'I don't know where they would have gotten that information, but it wasn't from the Coast Guard.'
A leak was discovered from the Cyprus-flagged Athos I as it prepared to dock at a CITGO refinery in Paulsboro on Nov. 26.
Divers found two gashes in the tanker's hull, including one that is six feet long.
There has been speculation that the Greek-owned tanker might have struck a 14-foot propeller missing since it was dropped by an Army Corps of Engineers' dredge boat in April."Cause of oil spill still pending
Monday, December 6, 2004
By STEVE LEVINE
Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA
Officials investigating the Delaware River oil spill emphasized Sunday they have neither determined nor discounted any causes.
Media reports over the weekend suggested pilot error or negligence had been ruled out, but that is not the case, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Russ Tippets.
"That's still under investigation," Tippets said. "I don't know where they would have gotten that information, but it wasn't from the Coast Guard."
A leak was discovered from the Cyprus-flagged Athos I as it prepared to dock at a CITGO refinery in Paulsboro on Nov. 26.
Divers found two gashes in the tanker's hull, including one that is six feet long.
There has been speculation that the Greek-owned tanker might have struck a 14-foot propeller missing since it was dropped by an Army Corps of Engineers' dredge boat in April. Read More...
Cause of oil spill still pending
TX: NM judge approves land, water buyout plan on Pecos River
Good neighbor must help each other. Why cannot settle these peacefully have to go to the court to iron out?? These , wasting time & money...
NM judge approves land, water buyout plan on Pecos River
SANTA FE A New Mexico judge has dismissed challenges to a plan to buy land and associated water rights along the Pecos River.
The U-S Supreme Court has ordered New Mexico not to fall short on its required water deliveries to Texas.
If New Mexico does fall behind, the federal government could take over managing the river.
State District Judge David Bonem yesterday granted requests from New Mexico and from irrigation districts along the river to dismiss the challenges.
Critics say the plan to spend 70 (m) million dollars to purchase land and water rights along the river would violate New Mexico law, the state constitution and the Pecos River Compact.
An appeal is expected. Read More...
KLTV 7 Tyler-Longview-Jacksonville, TX: NM judge approves land, water buyout plan on Pecos River
NM judge approves land, water buyout plan on Pecos River
SANTA FE A New Mexico judge has dismissed challenges to a plan to buy land and associated water rights along the Pecos River.
The U-S Supreme Court has ordered New Mexico not to fall short on its required water deliveries to Texas.
If New Mexico does fall behind, the federal government could take over managing the river.
State District Judge David Bonem yesterday granted requests from New Mexico and from irrigation districts along the river to dismiss the challenges.
Critics say the plan to spend 70 (m) million dollars to purchase land and water rights along the river would violate New Mexico law, the state constitution and the Pecos River Compact.
An appeal is expected. Read More...
KLTV 7 Tyler-Longview-Jacksonville, TX: NM judge approves land, water buyout plan on Pecos River
Feds pour $200K into water project - The Call
Be it big or small amount from Feds, it is putting tax money to work..
Feds pour $200K into water project
MICHAEL HOLTZMAN , Staff Writer
NORTH SMITHFIELD -- Outgoing Town Administrator Linda B. Thibault said she plans to announce at next week’s Town Council meeting a $200,000 federal bonanza to help with building a mile-long water-line connector into Woonsocket.
"It’s been months in the works. They told me ‘you’re going to get it,’" Thibault said of a phone call last week from George Zainyeh, district director for U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I.
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"This is a big sum of money. We can really get this thing rolling," Interim Finance Director Peter Barilla said. "That’s money right in the town’s pocket."
Thibault called the funding "really good news for the town."
It means that, together with $700,000 remaining from other water projects in town, the $900,000 total will provide necessary funds to complete the 4,450-foot water line from Great Road (Route 146A) to Mendon Road and Rhodes Avenue into Woonsocket.
The lowest of four bids by Rhode Island contractors, opened in mid-November, was $915,460 from Boyle & Fogarty Construction of Smithfield.
The other three bids included: C.B. Utility Co., Bristol, $952,320; Parkside Utility Construction Corp., Cranston, $1,035,851; and John Roccio Corp., Smithfield, $1,099,835.Read More...
The Call
Feds pour $200K into water project
MICHAEL HOLTZMAN , Staff Writer
NORTH SMITHFIELD -- Outgoing Town Administrator Linda B. Thibault said she plans to announce at next week’s Town Council meeting a $200,000 federal bonanza to help with building a mile-long water-line connector into Woonsocket.
"It’s been months in the works. They told me ‘you’re going to get it,’" Thibault said of a phone call last week from George Zainyeh, district director for U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I.
Advertisement
"This is a big sum of money. We can really get this thing rolling," Interim Finance Director Peter Barilla said. "That’s money right in the town’s pocket."
Thibault called the funding "really good news for the town."
It means that, together with $700,000 remaining from other water projects in town, the $900,000 total will provide necessary funds to complete the 4,450-foot water line from Great Road (Route 146A) to Mendon Road and Rhodes Avenue into Woonsocket.
The lowest of four bids by Rhode Island contractors, opened in mid-November, was $915,460 from Boyle & Fogarty Construction of Smithfield.
The other three bids included: C.B. Utility Co., Bristol, $952,320; Parkside Utility Construction Corp., Cranston, $1,035,851; and John Roccio Corp., Smithfield, $1,099,835.Read More...
The Call
Friday, December 03, 2004
City water projects in jeopardy
This certainly is not a good news for San Diego City..
Memo warns of money shortage; delays could lead to fines, lawsuits
By Matthew T. Hall
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 2, 2004
San Diego's dire financial situation is no longer so abstract: The city has run out of money to pay for new water and wastewater projects, and it may have to scrap plans to fix fire and lifeguard stations next year.
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City Manager Lamont Ewell sent a memo to the mayor and City Council 15 minutes before City Hall closed last night, telling them that the city cannot begin an unspecified number of water and wastewater projects, including some that are needed to comply with orders from environmental regulators.
Ewell and Mayor Dick Murphy downplayed any immediate effects, but a prolonged stoppage could subject the city to fines from environmental agencies and lawsuits related to unclean drinking water and sewage spills.
Curtailing new projects will put the city out of compliance with an order from the state Department of Health Services at the end of this month when the city fails to begin the required replacing of a water main in Otay Mesa.
It's unclear what effect that will have, Ewell and Murphy said.
"I can't predict what the federal or state government might or might not do, but you'd think state government would understand the problems of limited financial resources," Murphy said last night.
The city went public with its fiscal crisis in January when it admitted errors and omissions had been made in 2002 financial disclosures.
Now, city finances are the subject of federal investigations, there are allegations of fraud and two annual audits are overdue. Two Wall Street credit-rating agencies also have downgraded the city's rating and a third has suspended it, crippling San Diego's ability to borrow money.
"This is a tangible effect of the problems the city's had with its financial statements," Murphy said. "That's a fair characterization. On the other hand, it's just not going to have any impact on the public in terms of water and sewer service." Read More...
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- City water projects in jeopardy
Memo warns of money shortage; delays could lead to fines, lawsuits
By Matthew T. Hall
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 2, 2004
San Diego's dire financial situation is no longer so abstract: The city has run out of money to pay for new water and wastewater projects, and it may have to scrap plans to fix fire and lifeguard stations next year.
Advertisement
City Manager Lamont Ewell sent a memo to the mayor and City Council 15 minutes before City Hall closed last night, telling them that the city cannot begin an unspecified number of water and wastewater projects, including some that are needed to comply with orders from environmental regulators.
Ewell and Mayor Dick Murphy downplayed any immediate effects, but a prolonged stoppage could subject the city to fines from environmental agencies and lawsuits related to unclean drinking water and sewage spills.
Curtailing new projects will put the city out of compliance with an order from the state Department of Health Services at the end of this month when the city fails to begin the required replacing of a water main in Otay Mesa.
It's unclear what effect that will have, Ewell and Murphy said.
"I can't predict what the federal or state government might or might not do, but you'd think state government would understand the problems of limited financial resources," Murphy said last night.
The city went public with its fiscal crisis in January when it admitted errors and omissions had been made in 2002 financial disclosures.
Now, city finances are the subject of federal investigations, there are allegations of fraud and two annual audits are overdue. Two Wall Street credit-rating agencies also have downgraded the city's rating and a third has suspended it, crippling San Diego's ability to borrow money.
"This is a tangible effect of the problems the city's had with its financial statements," Murphy said. "That's a fair characterization. On the other hand, it's just not going to have any impact on the public in terms of water and sewer service." Read More...
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- City water projects in jeopardy
EPA/OPPT: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
EPA is putting Tax $$ to work on Lead....
Lead in the News
December 2004
* In support of its goal to eradicate lead poisoning by 2010, EPA has announced the availability of $750,000 to reduce lead poisoning in high risk areas. This new competitive grant program will provide funds for projects to: 1) address areas with high incidences of elevated blood-lead levels; 2) identify and address areas with high potential for heretofore undocumented elevated bloodlead levels; 3) develop tools to address unique and challenging issues in lead poisoning prevention; and/or 4) identify tools that are replicable and scalable for other areas.
A wide range of applicants may apply for these grants, including state and local governments, federally-recognized Indian Tribes and tribal consortia, territories, institutions of higher learning, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must represent areas with high incidences of elevated blood lead levels, or areas which do not have adequate blood lead monitoring data but which are likely to have high incidences of elevated blood lead levels. The December 1, 2004, Federal Register Notice describes eligibility, activities, application procedures and requirements, and evaluation criteria. The deadline for proposals is January 31, 2005.
Note: All environmental or health related measurements or data generation must adequately address the requirements of 40 CFR 31.45 related to quality assurance/quality control. To begin the process of developing the quality assurance documentation, you may choose to use this helpful template. Information on EPA Quality Assurance requirements may be downloaded from the EPA Quality System web site.
EPA/OPPT: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
Lead in the News
December 2004
* In support of its goal to eradicate lead poisoning by 2010, EPA has announced the availability of $750,000 to reduce lead poisoning in high risk areas. This new competitive grant program will provide funds for projects to: 1) address areas with high incidences of elevated blood-lead levels; 2) identify and address areas with high potential for heretofore undocumented elevated bloodlead levels; 3) develop tools to address unique and challenging issues in lead poisoning prevention; and/or 4) identify tools that are replicable and scalable for other areas.
A wide range of applicants may apply for these grants, including state and local governments, federally-recognized Indian Tribes and tribal consortia, territories, institutions of higher learning, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must represent areas with high incidences of elevated blood lead levels, or areas which do not have adequate blood lead monitoring data but which are likely to have high incidences of elevated blood lead levels. The December 1, 2004, Federal Register Notice describes eligibility, activities, application procedures and requirements, and evaluation criteria. The deadline for proposals is January 31, 2005.
Note: All environmental or health related measurements or data generation must adequately address the requirements of 40 CFR 31.45 related to quality assurance/quality control. To begin the process of developing the quality assurance documentation, you may choose to use this helpful template. Information on EPA Quality Assurance requirements may be downloaded from the EPA Quality System web site.
EPA/OPPT: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
Bottled Water Company Targets Restaurant
Drinking Bottled Water is good thing, But there are otherway to save money for drinking of filtered water..I would write later...
Bottled water company targets restaurant market
ADVANCE, NC � This week, bottled water maker Le Bleu Corporation launched an exclusively co-branded line of water with international restaurateur Phil Romano, according to a company news release.
"I wanted to be able to offer fine establishments the ultra pure, light & refreshing taste of Le Bleu Bottled Water in an upscale package that is a great accompaniment to fine food," Jerry Smith, president and CEO of Le Bleu, said in the release.
"Partnering with Phil Romano was a natural, considering his extensive restaurant expertise," Smith added. Read More...
News
Bottled water company targets restaurant market
ADVANCE, NC � This week, bottled water maker Le Bleu Corporation launched an exclusively co-branded line of water with international restaurateur Phil Romano, according to a company news release.
"I wanted to be able to offer fine establishments the ultra pure, light & refreshing taste of Le Bleu Bottled Water in an upscale package that is a great accompaniment to fine food," Jerry Smith, president and CEO of Le Bleu, said in the release.
"Partnering with Phil Romano was a natural, considering his extensive restaurant expertise," Smith added. Read More...
News
Thursday, December 02, 2004
The Seattle Times: Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
Positive action like these must be fast not till later..
Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
By Sanjay Bhatt
Seattle Times staff reporter
After months of deliberations, the Seattle School Board approved a new policy to ensure all schools have some of the cleanest school drinking water in the country — at a total cost of more than $12 million over the next three years.
The policy requires Superintendent Raj Manhas to report by March 10 on how he will execute it, establishes a citizen-oversight committee and ensures that future district levies will ask taxpayers for money to pay for water-quality projects.
Yesterday's action came almost a year after the board, confronted by Wedgwood Elementary School parents with orange water from the school, unanimously decided to test the district's drinking water.
Test results showed about one-quarter of fountains districtwide had lead levels of more than 20 parts per billion (ppb). That's the limit the federal government recommends, but doesn't require, for schools. More than a dozen district schools also had such high levels of iron in their drinking water that the district plans to replace all or a portion of their water pipes.
In the past year, officials from public-health agencies cautioned parents against overreacting to the lead levels and stressed it was unlikely the tainted water had hurt any child. Read More...
The Seattle Times: Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
By Sanjay Bhatt
Seattle Times staff reporter
After months of deliberations, the Seattle School Board approved a new policy to ensure all schools have some of the cleanest school drinking water in the country — at a total cost of more than $12 million over the next three years.
The policy requires Superintendent Raj Manhas to report by March 10 on how he will execute it, establishes a citizen-oversight committee and ensures that future district levies will ask taxpayers for money to pay for water-quality projects.
Yesterday's action came almost a year after the board, confronted by Wedgwood Elementary School parents with orange water from the school, unanimously decided to test the district's drinking water.
Test results showed about one-quarter of fountains districtwide had lead levels of more than 20 parts per billion (ppb). That's the limit the federal government recommends, but doesn't require, for schools. More than a dozen district schools also had such high levels of iron in their drinking water that the district plans to replace all or a portion of their water pipes.
In the past year, officials from public-health agencies cautioned parents against overreacting to the lead levels and stressed it was unlikely the tainted water had hurt any child. Read More...
The Seattle Times: Seattle schools approve policy on water quality
Grass Valley Natural Spring Water is Contaminated - The Union - News
You see once the ground is contaminated. It is naturally that Spring water will contaminated as well..
Cleanup mired in legal battle
Grass Valley, miners fight over contamination
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Becky Trout, beckyt@theunion.com
December 2, 2004
Grass Valley and the Newmont Mining Corporation remain locked in a legal struggle, neither willing to claim ownership or financial responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of gallons of contaminated water that flow into the city's wastewater treatment plant each day.
The mine discharge was discovered in 2000 as the wastewater treatment plant was undergoing expansion, Public Works Director Rudi Golnik said. The seepage was always considered a natural spring until its orange discoloration spurred workers to investigate its source.
They discovered the water stemmed from the vast underground network of tunnels leftover from the Northstar Mine, Golnik said. The city entered negotiations with Newmont, which has owned the mine since the 1930s.
After failing to agree how to stem the flow and split the costs, Grass Valley took the company to federal court. The case remains unresolved. Read More....The Union - News
Cleanup mired in legal battle
Grass Valley, miners fight over contamination
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Becky Trout, beckyt@theunion.com
December 2, 2004
Grass Valley and the Newmont Mining Corporation remain locked in a legal struggle, neither willing to claim ownership or financial responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of gallons of contaminated water that flow into the city's wastewater treatment plant each day.
The mine discharge was discovered in 2000 as the wastewater treatment plant was undergoing expansion, Public Works Director Rudi Golnik said. The seepage was always considered a natural spring until its orange discoloration spurred workers to investigate its source.
They discovered the water stemmed from the vast underground network of tunnels leftover from the Northstar Mine, Golnik said. The city entered negotiations with Newmont, which has owned the mine since the 1930s.
After failing to agree how to stem the flow and split the costs, Grass Valley took the company to federal court. The case remains unresolved. Read More....The Union - News
OregonLive.com: NewsFlash - Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
You see about 10% of US ground water has arsenic...This is a good news too..
Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
11/30/2004, 12:53 p.m. PT
The Associated Press
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — University of Oregon researchers have developed an arsenic "trap" that has the potential to clean up contaminated water or treat poisoning victims.
Arsenic is a chemical element and a naturally occurring poison that contaminates water supplies around the globe.
Darren Johnson, a chemistry professor, and graduate student Jake Vickaryous have created a molecule made of sulphur and carbon that hooks on to arsenic.
Three sulphur-based molecules join with two arsenic atoms to form a kind of pyramid-shaped molecule that's more stable than the sulphur molecule alone. Once locked into the structure Johnson describes as a "molecular claw," the arsenic does not combine with any other molecules.
If the molecule proves stable enough to avoid linking up with any other molecules, it could effectively remove arsenic from human tissue or offer a way to make arsenic-tainted wells safe for drinking water.
"One thing this could potentially do is provide some new environmental remediation and sensing tools," Johnson said.
The federal government currently requires that public water systems have no more than 50 parts per billion of lead and will reduce that to 10 parts per billion in 2006.
About 10 percent of U.S. groundwater has arsenic concentrations above 10 parts per billion, while 20 percent of the wells in the Willamette Valley exceed that level. Read More...
OregonLive.com: NewsFlash - Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
11/30/2004, 12:53 p.m. PT
The Associated Press
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — University of Oregon researchers have developed an arsenic "trap" that has the potential to clean up contaminated water or treat poisoning victims.
Arsenic is a chemical element and a naturally occurring poison that contaminates water supplies around the globe.
Darren Johnson, a chemistry professor, and graduate student Jake Vickaryous have created a molecule made of sulphur and carbon that hooks on to arsenic.
Three sulphur-based molecules join with two arsenic atoms to form a kind of pyramid-shaped molecule that's more stable than the sulphur molecule alone. Once locked into the structure Johnson describes as a "molecular claw," the arsenic does not combine with any other molecules.
If the molecule proves stable enough to avoid linking up with any other molecules, it could effectively remove arsenic from human tissue or offer a way to make arsenic-tainted wells safe for drinking water.
"One thing this could potentially do is provide some new environmental remediation and sensing tools," Johnson said.
The federal government currently requires that public water systems have no more than 50 parts per billion of lead and will reduce that to 10 parts per billion in 2006.
About 10 percent of U.S. groundwater has arsenic concentrations above 10 parts per billion, while 20 percent of the wells in the Willamette Valley exceed that level. Read More...
OregonLive.com: NewsFlash - Oregon researchers develop arsenic 'trap'
KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
This is a good news for Nevada residents..
Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
RENO, Nev. President Bush has signed into law a measure conservationists say is the single largest designation of federally protected wilderness in Nevada history -- a total of about 12-hundred square miles north and east of Las Vegas.
The new law is called the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004. It is billed as a compromise between environmentalists who want permanent protection of intact wild lands and developers who want more water for Clark County.
The measure creates 14 new wilderness areas protecting wildlife habitat, rugged mountain peaks, limestone cliffs, fragile caves and archaeological resources across a total of 768-thousand acres. That's an area about half the size of the state of Delaware.
It directs the Bureau of Land Management to auction up to 90-thousand acres of federal land in the rural county north of Las Vegas.Read More....
KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
RENO, Nev. President Bush has signed into law a measure conservationists say is the single largest designation of federally protected wilderness in Nevada history -- a total of about 12-hundred square miles north and east of Las Vegas.
The new law is called the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004. It is billed as a compromise between environmentalists who want permanent protection of intact wild lands and developers who want more water for Clark County.
The measure creates 14 new wilderness areas protecting wildlife habitat, rugged mountain peaks, limestone cliffs, fragile caves and archaeological resources across a total of 768-thousand acres. That's an area about half the size of the state of Delaware.
It directs the Bureau of Land Management to auction up to 90-thousand acres of federal land in the rural county north of Las Vegas.Read More....
KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Bush signs largest designation of Nevada wilderness ever
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread -- sacbee.com -- Business
Fed is investingating into these issue...
Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
By Mike Lee -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Get weekday updates of Sacramento Bee headlines and breaking news. Sign up here.
Federal investigators have found traces of a rocket fuel component in milk and lettuce from Salinas to Cedarville, N.J., according to new government data.
Perchlorate was detected in about 90 percent of 128 lettuce samples and in all but three of the agency's 104 milk samples, but not at levels that prompted alarm at the Food and Drug Administration.
UCDavis Health
"I think that suggests a much broader distribution (of perchlorate) than anybody thought, and the basis of that distribution I don't think is adequately known," said Robert Krieger, an extension toxicologist at the University of California, Riverside.
The FDA said it wasn't recommending diet changes based on its findings, which resulted from the most comprehensive search to date for perchlorate in food. Still, one consumer watchdog group said the data should spark cleanup efforts, and farm groups wondered what it all meant for their products.
Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made compound. Most of the perchlorate manufactured nationwide is used as the primary ingredient in rocket fuel.
In recent years, increasingly sophisticated measuring equipment has detected perchlorate in water supplies, such as the Colorado River, and in foods. Crops likely are tainted by perchlorate-laced irrigation water.Read More....
sacbee.com -- Business -- Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
By Mike Lee -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Get weekday updates of Sacramento Bee headlines and breaking news. Sign up here.
Federal investigators have found traces of a rocket fuel component in milk and lettuce from Salinas to Cedarville, N.J., according to new government data.
Perchlorate was detected in about 90 percent of 128 lettuce samples and in all but three of the agency's 104 milk samples, but not at levels that prompted alarm at the Food and Drug Administration.
UCDavis Health
"I think that suggests a much broader distribution (of perchlorate) than anybody thought, and the basis of that distribution I don't think is adequately known," said Robert Krieger, an extension toxicologist at the University of California, Riverside.
The FDA said it wasn't recommending diet changes based on its findings, which resulted from the most comprehensive search to date for perchlorate in food. Still, one consumer watchdog group said the data should spark cleanup efforts, and farm groups wondered what it all meant for their products.
Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made compound. Most of the perchlorate manufactured nationwide is used as the primary ingredient in rocket fuel.
In recent years, increasingly sophisticated measuring equipment has detected perchlorate in water supplies, such as the Colorado River, and in foods. Crops likely are tainted by perchlorate-laced irrigation water.Read More....
sacbee.com -- Business -- Tests on milk, lettuce find perchlorate is widespread
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
You see the household products that we use are high chemical compound, So it certainly would containminate the ground water then...We need to encourage the use of organic..Natural household products.....
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
BY DAWN FALLIK
Knight Ridder Newspapers
PHILADELPHIA - (KRT) - Scientists are finding trace amounts of drugs, herbicides and fragrances - from birth-control hormones to weed killers - in the nation's drinking water.
Where once experts thought the water-filtration process would eliminate the chemicals, new studies have discovered otherwise. One water industry investigation into 18 drinking-water plants nationwide found the compounds in 14 of them.
"Initially it was a surprise," said Joseph Bella, executive director for the Passaic Valley Water Commission, whose plant was the basis of a New Jersey study. "We've completely changed the way we treat water. And if that doesn't work, we'll find other technologies."
The amounts being found are infinitesimal - in parts per billion or trillion. A part per billion can be thought of as one grain of salt in a swimming pool, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
But studies on fish living in streams show that male and female fish can develop the other sex's proteins and organs when there are endocrine disrupters - from some flame retardants, birth control pills or steroids - in the water in parts per billion. What is unclear is the effect this has on humans, if any.
"We need to expand the task there," said Christian Daughton, who heads the environmental chemistry branch at the EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory. "But the point is that no organism is exposed to one toxicant at a time. What's happening here involves multiple chemicals at a time, and naturally occurring toxic chemicals as well."
There were no studies being done on the health effects of chronic exposure to the compound cocktail, according to officials from the EPA, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They say they need to figure out which chemicals are appearing, and where, before deciding what to focus on.
However, the American Water Works Research Association in Denver, which funded the nationwide drinking-water-plant survey, is conducting a two-year study on the health effects of the chemicals.Read More....
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
BY DAWN FALLIK
Knight Ridder Newspapers
PHILADELPHIA - (KRT) - Scientists are finding trace amounts of drugs, herbicides and fragrances - from birth-control hormones to weed killers - in the nation's drinking water.
Where once experts thought the water-filtration process would eliminate the chemicals, new studies have discovered otherwise. One water industry investigation into 18 drinking-water plants nationwide found the compounds in 14 of them.
"Initially it was a surprise," said Joseph Bella, executive director for the Passaic Valley Water Commission, whose plant was the basis of a New Jersey study. "We've completely changed the way we treat water. And if that doesn't work, we'll find other technologies."
The amounts being found are infinitesimal - in parts per billion or trillion. A part per billion can be thought of as one grain of salt in a swimming pool, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
But studies on fish living in streams show that male and female fish can develop the other sex's proteins and organs when there are endocrine disrupters - from some flame retardants, birth control pills or steroids - in the water in parts per billion. What is unclear is the effect this has on humans, if any.
"We need to expand the task there," said Christian Daughton, who heads the environmental chemistry branch at the EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory. "But the point is that no organism is exposed to one toxicant at a time. What's happening here involves multiple chemicals at a time, and naturally occurring toxic chemicals as well."
There were no studies being done on the health effects of chronic exposure to the compound cocktail, according to officials from the EPA, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They say they need to figure out which chemicals are appearing, and where, before deciding what to focus on.
However, the American Water Works Research Association in Denver, which funded the nationwide drinking-water-plant survey, is conducting a two-year study on the health effects of the chemicals.Read More....
Household chemicals contaminate U.S. drinking water, testing shows
Newsday.com: City in violation of drinking water rules
These Kind of Violation must put right immediately.
City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
"For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume," said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman.
Newsday.com: City in violation of drinking water rules: "City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
'For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume,' said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman. "
City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
"For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume," said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman.
Newsday.com: City in violation of drinking water rules: "City in violation of drinking water rules
November 30, 2004, 5:09 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ State health officials said Monday that the city was in violation of federal drinking water rules for the past six years by supplying incomplete results from its annual lead tests.
From 2000 to 2002, the city's tap water had slightly more than the level of lead allowable, according to the complete test results. But the officials said no significant public health threat was posed by the water, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions.
State officials issued no fines for the violation, but said they would require the city's Department of Environmental Protection to provide a plan by the year's end for replacing service lines and pipes where lead is leaking into drinking water.
'For precautionary reasons, we are requiring New York City to immediately begin taking a series of corrective actions to further ensure its drinking water is of good quality and safe for residents to consume,' said Robert Kenny, state Health Department spokesman. "
Monday, November 29, 2004
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County columnists
When the plant completed in 2008, it certainly would benefits the residents in the area.
Water treatment plant to be built in Twin Oaks Valley
Oreck By: KEN MA - Staff Writer
SAN MARCOS ---- In an effort to meet a growing demand for water, San Diego County Water Authority officials said Wednesday that they plan to build a $107 million plant in the Twin Oaks Valley area to treat water from the Colorado River and Northern California, where most of the county's water supply comes from.
The plant, which will be off Twin Oaks Valley Road about 2 1/2-miles north of San Marcos, is scheduled to be under construction by next summer and completed by the summer of 2008. It's needed, water authority officials said, because the 11 water-treatment plants in the county and one in Temecula, all of which treat the county's potable water supply, cannot handle the increasing demand for water.
"The completion of this regional water-treatment plant is an integral part of our long-range planning to increase water supply reliability," the chairman of the water authority's board of directors, Bernie Rhinerson, said in a statement.
Part of the reason for building the new treatment facility is that the Metropolitan Water District's Skinner Water Treatment Plant in Temecula, which treats half of San Diego County's imported potable water supply ---- about 520 million gallons a day ---- is running at or beyond its capacity, said John Liarakos, county water authority spokesman. Read More...
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County columnists
Water treatment plant to be built in Twin Oaks Valley
Oreck By: KEN MA - Staff Writer
SAN MARCOS ---- In an effort to meet a growing demand for water, San Diego County Water Authority officials said Wednesday that they plan to build a $107 million plant in the Twin Oaks Valley area to treat water from the Colorado River and Northern California, where most of the county's water supply comes from.
The plant, which will be off Twin Oaks Valley Road about 2 1/2-miles north of San Marcos, is scheduled to be under construction by next summer and completed by the summer of 2008. It's needed, water authority officials said, because the 11 water-treatment plants in the county and one in Temecula, all of which treat the county's potable water supply, cannot handle the increasing demand for water.
"The completion of this regional water-treatment plant is an integral part of our long-range planning to increase water supply reliability," the chairman of the water authority's board of directors, Bernie Rhinerson, said in a statement.
Part of the reason for building the new treatment facility is that the Metropolitan Water District's Skinner Water Treatment Plant in Temecula, which treats half of San Diego County's imported potable water supply ---- about 520 million gallons a day ---- is running at or beyond its capacity, said John Liarakos, county water authority spokesman. Read More...
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County columnists
Canadians mull latest Great Lakes water plan
Water issue between two countries is always an issue. But as a good neighbor, I am sure best things is to resolve it peacefully on the table.
Canadians mull latest Great Lakes water plan
Some query motive of Ohio's governor
By TOM HENRY
BLADE STAFF WRITER
One of Canada's parliamentary committees has begun taking testimony on the latest plan to curb Great Lakes diversions and bulk withdrawals, another sign that some influential Canadians are questioning the motives of a regional effort led by Gov. Bob Taft's administration since 2001.
The review is the first of its kind on the federal level of a proposal called Annex 2001, written to close legal loopholes in a 1985 charter among governors.
Canada's Parliament and the U.S. Congress were expected to have hearings on the annex after governors and premiers signed it, something which now is not expected to occur until at least the summer of 2005.
No hearings were expected on the federal level in either country before governors and premiers had reached an agreement among themselves, Dick Bartz, Ohio Department of Natural Resources water chief, said. Mr. Bartz is one of the architects of the draft version put out July 19 for 90 days of public comment.
"Given the comments that were received, though, I guess it's not surprising that somebody [in Canada's Parliament] would take it up and hold hearings," Mr. Bartz said.
Supporters hail Annex 2001 as a measure that could both encourage water conservation and halt any large-scale attempts to divert water to parched states such as California, Arizona, and Nevada, as well as potential exports to other parts of the world.
But after three years of near-silence, an opposition movement has arisen. A citizens' group called the Council of Canadians, for one, questions if U.S. governors had ulterior motives in proposing Annex 2001. The council, which claims to have a membership of 100,000, alleges numerous exemptions were included to accommodate growing communities on the American side of the border.Printer-friendly version
Canadians mull latest Great Lakes water plan
Some query motive of Ohio's governor
By TOM HENRY
BLADE STAFF WRITER
One of Canada's parliamentary committees has begun taking testimony on the latest plan to curb Great Lakes diversions and bulk withdrawals, another sign that some influential Canadians are questioning the motives of a regional effort led by Gov. Bob Taft's administration since 2001.
The review is the first of its kind on the federal level of a proposal called Annex 2001, written to close legal loopholes in a 1985 charter among governors.
Canada's Parliament and the U.S. Congress were expected to have hearings on the annex after governors and premiers signed it, something which now is not expected to occur until at least the summer of 2005.
No hearings were expected on the federal level in either country before governors and premiers had reached an agreement among themselves, Dick Bartz, Ohio Department of Natural Resources water chief, said. Mr. Bartz is one of the architects of the draft version put out July 19 for 90 days of public comment.
"Given the comments that were received, though, I guess it's not surprising that somebody [in Canada's Parliament] would take it up and hold hearings," Mr. Bartz said.
Supporters hail Annex 2001 as a measure that could both encourage water conservation and halt any large-scale attempts to divert water to parched states such as California, Arizona, and Nevada, as well as potential exports to other parts of the world.
But after three years of near-silence, an opposition movement has arisen. A citizens' group called the Council of Canadians, for one, questions if U.S. governors had ulterior motives in proposing Annex 2001. The council, which claims to have a membership of 100,000, alleges numerous exemptions were included to accommodate growing communities on the American side of the border.Printer-friendly version
KOBTV.com - City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
Well this is good news. Issue like this must be handled peacefully.
City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
Last Update: 11/28/2004 2:12:45 PM
By: Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The city of Albuquerque has dropped its protest against Santa Fe�s plans to build a water diversion project on the Rio Grande.
City officials filed the protest last year.
They said they wanted to make sure water Santa Fe would draw from the project didn�t include 1,600 acre-feet of river water Albuquerque leases to a gated Santa Fe luxury community.
Santa Fe�s diversion project permit will now specify that it doesn�t include any San Juan-Chama diversion water owned by the city of Albuquerque.
The withdrawal of the protest should clear the way for Santa Fe to move ahead with its project.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
KOBTV.com - City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
Last Update: 11/28/2004 2:12:45 PM
By: Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The city of Albuquerque has dropped its protest against Santa Fe�s plans to build a water diversion project on the Rio Grande.
City officials filed the protest last year.
They said they wanted to make sure water Santa Fe would draw from the project didn�t include 1,600 acre-feet of river water Albuquerque leases to a gated Santa Fe luxury community.
Santa Fe�s diversion project permit will now specify that it doesn�t include any San Juan-Chama diversion water owned by the city of Albuquerque.
The withdrawal of the protest should clear the way for Santa Fe to move ahead with its project.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
KOBTV.com - City of Albuquerque drops protest to Santa Fe water diversion
PEMA: PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
Although government said there is no threat to the drinking water. But the situation must be in control...
PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director David M. Sanko today reported that 25,000-30,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from the oil tanker ATHOS I at anchor near the Philadelphia airport.
“Governor Rendell and New Jersey Governor Richard Codey continue to monitor the situation along with federal and state agencies here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of New Jersey,” Sanko said. “Personnel from several state agencies including PEMA, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Fish & Boat Commission have been on-site since early this morning. I will keep Governor Rendell updated throughout the day.”
According to Sanko, officials are still investigating the cause of the leak and there is no threat to drinking water. DEP has deployed booms in several creeks along the path of the spill.
“On behalf of Governor Rendell, appropriate protective action is being taken to keep residents of the Delaware Valley out of harm’s way,” Sanko added.
PEMA: PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director David M. Sanko today reported that 25,000-30,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from the oil tanker ATHOS I at anchor near the Philadelphia airport.
“Governor Rendell and New Jersey Governor Richard Codey continue to monitor the situation along with federal and state agencies here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of New Jersey,” Sanko said. “Personnel from several state agencies including PEMA, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Fish & Boat Commission have been on-site since early this morning. I will keep Governor Rendell updated throughout the day.”
According to Sanko, officials are still investigating the cause of the leak and there is no threat to drinking water. DEP has deployed booms in several creeks along the path of the spill.
“On behalf of Governor Rendell, appropriate protective action is being taken to keep residents of the Delaware Valley out of harm’s way,” Sanko added.
PEMA: PEMA DIRECTOR UPDATES OIL SPILL SITUATION NEAR PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
LOS OSOS, Calif. (AP) - Saltwater seeping into the groundwater -- News briefs from California's Central Coast
Too much salt into the drinking water or food would cause the problem for our Kidney & blood circulations, also increase the risk of stroke...
LOS OSOS, Calif. (AP) - Saltwater seeping into the groundwater
LOS OSOS, Calif. (AP) - Saltwater seeping into the groundwater is threatening the town's drinking water supplies, posing a danger to future development, authorities said.
A study by Cleath and Associates, a hired geology firm, showed saltwater is creeping into groundwater at nearly 150 feet per year in some parts of Los Osos. Saltwater intrusion is common in coastal communities.
Company hydrologist Spencer Harris said saltwater seep is a result of pumping operations.
The Los Osos aquifer is 20,000 feet across, but to divide the numbers out would be misleading, Harris said, because the rate of movement depends on whether saltwater enters a well or passes it.
Los Osos' $200,000 state-funded study began in June and is expected to be finished in May. The goal of the study is to discover how much, how fast and where seawater is intruding in the Los Osos groundwater basin, as well as options to refill the lower aquifer.
"As far as a customer and their water at this point, no, it's not something they need to worry about immediately," Harris said. But he added that "it's a serious problem that needs to be addressed."
News briefs from California's Central Coast
LOS OSOS, Calif. (AP) - Saltwater seeping into the groundwater
LOS OSOS, Calif. (AP) - Saltwater seeping into the groundwater is threatening the town's drinking water supplies, posing a danger to future development, authorities said.
A study by Cleath and Associates, a hired geology firm, showed saltwater is creeping into groundwater at nearly 150 feet per year in some parts of Los Osos. Saltwater intrusion is common in coastal communities.
Company hydrologist Spencer Harris said saltwater seep is a result of pumping operations.
The Los Osos aquifer is 20,000 feet across, but to divide the numbers out would be misleading, Harris said, because the rate of movement depends on whether saltwater enters a well or passes it.
Los Osos' $200,000 state-funded study began in June and is expected to be finished in May. The goal of the study is to discover how much, how fast and where seawater is intruding in the Los Osos groundwater basin, as well as options to refill the lower aquifer.
"As far as a customer and their water at this point, no, it's not something they need to worry about immediately," Harris said. But he added that "it's a serious problem that needs to be addressed."
News briefs from California's Central Coast
EPA issues water quality guidance for lead and copper
The Lead is no good for our body, but copper is needed in certain extend, however, too much of any metal's are no good for us...
EPA issues water quality guidance for lead and copper
WASHINGTON � In an effort to control safety standards in drinking water, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a guidance format to help clarify how the collection and management of lead and copper samples is conducted, according to an EPA news release.
"This guidance is the direct result of working with our national drinking water partners to provide clarity on critical elements in implementing our regulations that help safeguard the public's drinking water," Ben Grumbles, acting assistant administrator for water, said in the release. "Early next year, we will determine if the lead rule needs additional guidance or some targeted changes."
Read More...
News
EPA issues water quality guidance for lead and copper
WASHINGTON � In an effort to control safety standards in drinking water, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a guidance format to help clarify how the collection and management of lead and copper samples is conducted, according to an EPA news release.
"This guidance is the direct result of working with our national drinking water partners to provide clarity on critical elements in implementing our regulations that help safeguard the public's drinking water," Ben Grumbles, acting assistant administrator for water, said in the release. "Early next year, we will determine if the lead rule needs additional guidance or some targeted changes."
Read More...
News
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Sheep Creek Water Co. eyeing L.A. County for relief
This is the kind of help L.A. have to provide as a neighbor....
Sheep Creek Water Co. eyeing L.A. County for relief
Shareholders vote on constructing a 9.5-mile pipeline to relieve drought conditions in Phelan
By LEROY STANDISH/Staff Writer
PHELAN — Sheep Creek Water Co. shareholders voted on Saturday to construct a 9.5-mile-long pipeline to draw water from across the Los Angeles County line.
More than 300 shareholders in the company attended the emergency meeting to discuss the community's water crisis and vote on one of four possible solutions.
Lack of water has forced this small community to initiate a building moratorium since August and has reduced shareholders' draw of water from 4,000 cubic feet of water a share to just 1,000 cubic feet.
"Our main source of water is too dependent on Mother Nature," said David Nilsen, secretary of the water company. "So we need to find a secondary source that we can afford."
After nearly three hours of debate and discussion, shareholders decided it best to initiate phase one of a three-phase project to construct the pipeline to Los Angeles County. Read More....
Sheep Creek Water Co. eyeing L.A. County for relief
Sheep Creek Water Co. eyeing L.A. County for relief
Shareholders vote on constructing a 9.5-mile pipeline to relieve drought conditions in Phelan
By LEROY STANDISH/Staff Writer
PHELAN — Sheep Creek Water Co. shareholders voted on Saturday to construct a 9.5-mile-long pipeline to draw water from across the Los Angeles County line.
More than 300 shareholders in the company attended the emergency meeting to discuss the community's water crisis and vote on one of four possible solutions.
Lack of water has forced this small community to initiate a building moratorium since August and has reduced shareholders' draw of water from 4,000 cubic feet of water a share to just 1,000 cubic feet.
"Our main source of water is too dependent on Mother Nature," said David Nilsen, secretary of the water company. "So we need to find a secondary source that we can afford."
After nearly three hours of debate and discussion, shareholders decided it best to initiate phase one of a three-phase project to construct the pipeline to Los Angeles County. Read More....
Sheep Creek Water Co. eyeing L.A. County for relief
Water Quality Monitoring Target of Fed Funds -- The Times Herald
This is good news for people in St. Clair River - MI.
Water quality monitoring target of federal funds
By CHRIS SEBASTIAN
Times Herald
The federal government’s spending bill approved over the weekend will send more than a half-million dollars to the Blue Water Area for a long-awaited water quality monitoring system on the St. Clair River.
U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, on Monday announced that St. Clair and Macomb counties will split $650,000 to develop a system to monitor the river for chemical spills that originate on either side of the international border.
This is the first time the federal government has allotted money for a monitoring system. No such system now exists.
The money will require a 45% match from the two counties, bringing the total amount to about $1.2 million.
The counties are already working on deciding what type of system would best benefit the millions of people who receive their drinking water from the river and Lake St. Clair.
News - The Times Herald - www.thetimesherald.com
Water quality monitoring target of federal funds
By CHRIS SEBASTIAN
Times Herald
The federal government’s spending bill approved over the weekend will send more than a half-million dollars to the Blue Water Area for a long-awaited water quality monitoring system on the St. Clair River.
U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, on Monday announced that St. Clair and Macomb counties will split $650,000 to develop a system to monitor the river for chemical spills that originate on either side of the international border.
This is the first time the federal government has allotted money for a monitoring system. No such system now exists.
The money will require a 45% match from the two counties, bringing the total amount to about $1.2 million.
The counties are already working on deciding what type of system would best benefit the millions of people who receive their drinking water from the river and Lake St. Clair.
News - The Times Herald - www.thetimesherald.com
Congress OKs funds for area flood control - The Sacramento Bee
Congress is putting the tax money to the right place...
Congress OKs funds for area flood control
By David Whitney -- Bee Washington Bureau
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, November 21, 2004
WASHINGTON - Sacramento flood control was at the top of the congressional agenda Saturday as both houses approved a compromise 2005 spending bill that includes more than $54 million for energy and water projects for the Sacramento region.
The Senate passed the measure on a 65-30 vote late Saturday after a 344-51 House vote.
Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, and Sacramento Democratic Rep. Robert Matsui applauded inclusion of the money in the year-end measure.
Matsui said the $24.7 million appropriated for area flood control projects would keep on schedule work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to add gates to the face of Folsom Dam, and eventually to add seven feet to its top to improve capacity.
"We're very happy with this level of spending, especially given the federal budget constraints," Matsui said. He said the money should be ample to meet the work schedule of the corps for 2005, though it was $3 million less than the House initially approved.
The measure includes $5 million for continued rush work to build a new bridge over the American River below the dam. A road over the dam, used by thousands of commuters, was closed last year because of national security concerns.
Authorization for the work came last year under a deal worked out by Matsui and Doolittle, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Read More
Congress OKs funds for area flood control - The Sacramento Bee
Congress OKs funds for area flood control
By David Whitney -- Bee Washington Bureau
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, November 21, 2004
WASHINGTON - Sacramento flood control was at the top of the congressional agenda Saturday as both houses approved a compromise 2005 spending bill that includes more than $54 million for energy and water projects for the Sacramento region.
The Senate passed the measure on a 65-30 vote late Saturday after a 344-51 House vote.
Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, and Sacramento Democratic Rep. Robert Matsui applauded inclusion of the money in the year-end measure.
Matsui said the $24.7 million appropriated for area flood control projects would keep on schedule work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to add gates to the face of Folsom Dam, and eventually to add seven feet to its top to improve capacity.
"We're very happy with this level of spending, especially given the federal budget constraints," Matsui said. He said the money should be ample to meet the work schedule of the corps for 2005, though it was $3 million less than the House initially approved.
The measure includes $5 million for continued rush work to build a new bridge over the American River below the dam. A road over the dam, used by thousands of commuters, was closed last year because of national security concerns.
Authorization for the work came last year under a deal worked out by Matsui and Doolittle, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Read More
Congress OKs funds for area flood control - The Sacramento Bee
Monday, November 22, 2004
Marlboro - $24.3M and still toxic -- APP.COM -
This is alarming...
$24.3M and still toxic
Published in the Asbury Park Press 11/22/04
SPECIAL REPORT: This is the second part of a three-day series on the Superfund program, examining eight Superfund sites in Monmouth and Ocean counties and cleanup plans that are in most cases not getting the job done despite millions of dollars spent over more than two decades.
By JAMES A. QUIRK
and TODD B. BATES
STAFF WRITERS
MARLBORO -- More than 50 years ago, workers at the chemical refining facility now known as Imperial Oil began to discharge toxic waste oil and other contaminants into the environs at the 15-acre site, creating an ecological horror that poisoned soil and water miles away from the plant.
Today, after 20 years of cleanup work and roughly $24.3 million earmarked or spent, a large amount of that contamination still remains -- directly und Imperial Oil's biggest customer: the U.S. Department of Defense, which has given the company millions of dollars in contracts over the past decade for its oil-blending work.
Since few devices are in place to contain the toxic pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies the groundwater contamination at Imperial Oil as not under human control. A 3-foot layer of viscous "free product" -- waste oil -- still floats like a huge lens atop the water table beneath the site.
"They've got to get that under control," said Jessie Arlt, 72, a 44-year Marlboro resident who lives a mile away from Imperial Oil. "There is more and more building going on, and you don't know how that contamination is going to affect people."
The Imperial Oil site is one of four Superfund waste sites in Monmouth and Ocean counties where ground water polluted with toxic chemicals is not under control, even though it's been more than 20 years since the waste was found at the sites. Making matters worse, the EPA's Superfund program has a backlog of sites awaiting cleanup because of a shortfall in federal funding. Read More.....
APP.COM - $24.3M and still toxic
$24.3M and still toxic
Published in the Asbury Park Press 11/22/04
SPECIAL REPORT: This is the second part of a three-day series on the Superfund program, examining eight Superfund sites in Monmouth and Ocean counties and cleanup plans that are in most cases not getting the job done despite millions of dollars spent over more than two decades.
By JAMES A. QUIRK
and TODD B. BATES
STAFF WRITERS
MARLBORO -- More than 50 years ago, workers at the chemical refining facility now known as Imperial Oil began to discharge toxic waste oil and other contaminants into the environs at the 15-acre site, creating an ecological horror that poisoned soil and water miles away from the plant.
Today, after 20 years of cleanup work and roughly $24.3 million earmarked or spent, a large amount of that contamination still remains -- directly und Imperial Oil's biggest customer: the U.S. Department of Defense, which has given the company millions of dollars in contracts over the past decade for its oil-blending work.
Since few devices are in place to contain the toxic pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies the groundwater contamination at Imperial Oil as not under human control. A 3-foot layer of viscous "free product" -- waste oil -- still floats like a huge lens atop the water table beneath the site.
"They've got to get that under control," said Jessie Arlt, 72, a 44-year Marlboro resident who lives a mile away from Imperial Oil. "There is more and more building going on, and you don't know how that contamination is going to affect people."
The Imperial Oil site is one of four Superfund waste sites in Monmouth and Ocean counties where ground water polluted with toxic chemicals is not under control, even though it's been more than 20 years since the waste was found at the sites. Making matters worse, the EPA's Superfund program has a backlog of sites awaiting cleanup because of a shortfall in federal funding. Read More.....
APP.COM - $24.3M and still toxic
Source of water contamination eludes agencies - Monterey County Herald | 11/20/2004 |
MTBE is a gasoline additive used since 1990...is found contaminating drinking water supplies across US...
Source of water contamination eludes agencies
By VIRGINIA HENNESSEY
Herald Staff Writer
Contamination of two Salinas water wells has become the center of a perplexing mystery baffling two Central Coast water agencies.
For more than two years, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Water Service Co. have been searching for the source of MTBE contamination in two of the company's water wells at Pajaro and Bridge streets in Salinas.
Typically, sources of the carcinogenic gasoline additive are tracked down quickly once the contamination is identified, said John Goni, water resource control engineer for the regional board. But in this case, both Goni and officials at California Water are stumped.
About 50 potential leak sites have been tested in a one-mile radius around the wells. While several MTBE leaks were detected, Goni said, none was significant enough to account for the contamination at the company's wells.
None of the contaminated water was or is being delivered to customers without being treated, he stressed. But somewhere out there, a gasoline storage tank is leaking a significant amount of the suspected cancer-causing agent, and authorities have been unable to find it.
MTBE, or methyl tertiary butyl ether, is a gasoline additive used since 1990 to meet requirements of the federal Clean Air Act. It was outlawed last year after it was found to be contaminating drinking water supplies across the country.
On Friday, the Associated Press reported that hundreds of MTBE-tainted wells had been found in Maryland. In California, serious contamination cases have been reported from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe to Cambria and Santa Monica.
In addition to fouling the taste of water, the chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory rats at high doses, though the health effects of low levels in humans are unknown.
California Water detected low levels of MTBE in the two wells in early 2002. By June 2003, the levels had jumped from an acceptable but worrisome level of 3.9 parts per billion to 39.9 ppb in one well and 120 ppb in the other. The maximum allowable concentration is 12 ppb in drinking water. Read More....
Monterey County Herald | 11/20/2004 | Source of water contamination eludes agencies
Source of water contamination eludes agencies
By VIRGINIA HENNESSEY
Herald Staff Writer
Contamination of two Salinas water wells has become the center of a perplexing mystery baffling two Central Coast water agencies.
For more than two years, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Water Service Co. have been searching for the source of MTBE contamination in two of the company's water wells at Pajaro and Bridge streets in Salinas.
Typically, sources of the carcinogenic gasoline additive are tracked down quickly once the contamination is identified, said John Goni, water resource control engineer for the regional board. But in this case, both Goni and officials at California Water are stumped.
About 50 potential leak sites have been tested in a one-mile radius around the wells. While several MTBE leaks were detected, Goni said, none was significant enough to account for the contamination at the company's wells.
None of the contaminated water was or is being delivered to customers without being treated, he stressed. But somewhere out there, a gasoline storage tank is leaking a significant amount of the suspected cancer-causing agent, and authorities have been unable to find it.
MTBE, or methyl tertiary butyl ether, is a gasoline additive used since 1990 to meet requirements of the federal Clean Air Act. It was outlawed last year after it was found to be contaminating drinking water supplies across the country.
On Friday, the Associated Press reported that hundreds of MTBE-tainted wells had been found in Maryland. In California, serious contamination cases have been reported from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe to Cambria and Santa Monica.
In addition to fouling the taste of water, the chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory rats at high doses, though the health effects of low levels in humans are unknown.
California Water detected low levels of MTBE in the two wells in early 2002. By June 2003, the levels had jumped from an acceptable but worrisome level of 3.9 parts per billion to 39.9 ppb in one well and 120 ppb in the other. The maximum allowable concentration is 12 ppb in drinking water. Read More....
Monterey County Herald | 11/20/2004 | Source of water contamination eludes agencies
Sydney, other Australian cities could run dry by 2006 - USATODAY.com -
You see The Water issue is concerning almost every countries on earth, these is really a major concern for Australia......
Sydney, other Australian cities could run dry by 2006
By Janaki Kremmer, The Christian Science Monitor
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — In the town of Goulburn, three hours south of Sydney, nightly baths are a thing of the past. Dishes are allowed to pile up. Hoses no longer douse dirty cars and thirsty plants.
The 22,000 people in town haven't suddenly grown slovenly. A change in habits is being forced by a dry spell stretching back to the 1970s that is squeezing much of Australia.
To conserve, dishwashing is done in batches, plants are watered with runoff from showers, and cars are cleaned with gray water from washing machines.
Barring monsoon-like rains, such adjustments will need to happen on a massive scale if Australia's biggest cities — including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide — hope to continue having drinking water in just two years' time, experts say. (Related: Australia weather and climate)
"Too long we have been living like we might live in Europe and not in accordance with dry climate conditions," says Leigh Martin of the Total Environment Center in Sydney. "Most people who balk at reusing sewage water should be educated about recycling."
Australia is not only the driest inhabited continent on earth, but also the greatest consumer of water per capita, experts say.
Australians use more than 260,000 gallons of fresh water per person per year, or 24,000 gigaliters — that's enough to fill Sydney harbor, 48 times over. About 70% goes to agricultural irrigation, 9% to other rural uses, 9% to industry, and 12% to domestic use.
Read More....
USATODAY.com - Sydney, other Australian cities could run dry by 2006
Sydney, other Australian cities could run dry by 2006
By Janaki Kremmer, The Christian Science Monitor
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — In the town of Goulburn, three hours south of Sydney, nightly baths are a thing of the past. Dishes are allowed to pile up. Hoses no longer douse dirty cars and thirsty plants.
The 22,000 people in town haven't suddenly grown slovenly. A change in habits is being forced by a dry spell stretching back to the 1970s that is squeezing much of Australia.
To conserve, dishwashing is done in batches, plants are watered with runoff from showers, and cars are cleaned with gray water from washing machines.
Barring monsoon-like rains, such adjustments will need to happen on a massive scale if Australia's biggest cities — including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide — hope to continue having drinking water in just two years' time, experts say. (Related: Australia weather and climate)
"Too long we have been living like we might live in Europe and not in accordance with dry climate conditions," says Leigh Martin of the Total Environment Center in Sydney. "Most people who balk at reusing sewage water should be educated about recycling."
Australia is not only the driest inhabited continent on earth, but also the greatest consumer of water per capita, experts say.
Australians use more than 260,000 gallons of fresh water per person per year, or 24,000 gigaliters — that's enough to fill Sydney harbor, 48 times over. About 70% goes to agricultural irrigation, 9% to other rural uses, 9% to industry, and 12% to domestic use.
Read More....
USATODAY.com - Sydney, other Australian cities could run dry by 2006
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