Author: getwetprojectblog

The aquatic plant absorbs oxygen and prevents the reproduction of certain fish. Green Tech Africa uses the plant properties to mitigate industrial waste.

At first sight, water hyacinth may look beautiful and harmless. But the plant originating from Southern America is one of the most invasive and noxious aquatic plants. And because of global warming, water hyacinth is spreading at a rapid pace.

For more information, visit: https://www.africanews.com/2022/02/26/congo-uses-water-hyacinth-s-properties-to-fight-pollution/

TAMPA, Fla. — A large water main break has closed part of N. Rome Avenue in Tampa.

Tampa Police responded to the water main break around 6 p.m. on Thursday.

For more information, visit: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/massive-water-main-break-closes-portion-of-n-rome-avenue-in-tampa

ALLENDALE, Mich. (AP) — Dale Buist knew running a commercial greenhouse would pose challenges. He just never expected a water shortage to be among them. Not in Michigan, with its vast aquatic riches.

Yet a couple of irrigation wells yielded only a trickle. And one quickly ran dry.

He installed equipment to capture rainwater for the plants. Then a drinking water well failed. Finally, Buist spent $350,000 connecting to a pipeline that supplies nearby Grand Rapids.

For information, visit: https://apnews.com/article/business-environment-and-nature-water-shortages-lakes-michigan-32002c5c559b2ead7fe624f692bb7e40

Federal officials at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation did not initially allocate any water to farmers and irrigation contractors in California for 2022 as the state enters its third year of a severe drought.

The Bureau of Reclamation, which controls the Central Valley Project (CVP) — one of two major complexes of irrigations, dams and canals in California — explained in a news release that water levels in the CVP’s reservoir were below a historic average for this time of year, resulting in irrigation contractors north and south of the river Delta starting out with no water allocation this year.

For more information, visit: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/595697-us-wont-deliver-water-to-california-farmers-amid-severe-drought

PFAS chemicals detected in 20% of private wells and 60% of public wells sampled in 16 eastern states

Pollution by toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in America’s aquifer system has led to widespread contamination of private and public drinking water wells, data from a new study by the US Geological Survey finds.

The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, detected PFAS chemicals in 20% of private wells and 60% of public wells sampled in 16 eastern states, and offered new insights on how to predict which drinking water sources may be contaminated.

For more information, visit: https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/25/pfas-us-drinking-water-wells-study

An extensive analysis of water samples from wells across the eastern US links per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater to the presence of other chemicals and various land uses. The data could help create models to predict what regions are high risk for PFAS contamination (Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04795).

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health conditions and is widespread. But identifying contaminated sites is slow and difficult because detecting the fluorinated compounds requires expensive instruments and specialized laboratory protocols to prevent sample contamination. To begin regulating PFAS as a drinking water contaminant, testing randomly sampled wells isn’t enough, says Cindy Hu, a data scientist at the research firm Mathematica who was not involved in the study. “We have to have a framework to know where to focus our resources.”

For more information, visit: https://cen.acs.org/environment/water/factors-predict-PFAS-contamination-groundwater/100/web/2022/02

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Geological Survey has detected the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in public and private drinking water wells in 16 Eastern states.

USGS announced the findings in a new study designed to assess the contamination of five aquifers that are important sources of drinking water. PFAS were detected in public and private drinking water wells in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

For more information, visit: https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2022/02/usgs-detects-forever-chemicals-16-states-water-wells

A major citizen suit against a giant plastics company resulted in a huge payout and a commitment to do better. The case has set off ripples of change across an industry that often pollutes with impunity.

For more information, visit: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/how-a-dramatic-win-in-plastic-waste-case-may-curb-ocean-pollution

The state Department of Health declared tap water safe to drink Monday at the Red Hill Housing military community on Oʻahu.

While only 10% of the homes were tested for fuel contamination, the state will conduct ongoing sampling to ensure the safety of the water.

Red Hill Housing includes 135 homes as well as Red Hill Elementary School. The U.S. Army oversees the community, but it is served by the Navy’s water distribution system.

Thousands of residents on the water system have reported illnesses as a result of fuel contamination in the system since late last year. About 4,000 military families have been living in hotels since early December.

For more information, visit: https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2022-02-15/health-department-oks-water-in-one-pearl-harbor-neighborhood-after-fuel-leak

HOUSTON (KIAH) Do you have a reusable plastic water bottle? Do you ever leave water in there overnight, then keep drinking it the next day?  After reading this, you probably won’t EVER do that again.

A new scientific report says you should STOP doing that immediately. At least with reusable SOFT plastic water bottles.

For more information, visit: https://cw39.com/news/technology/why-you-should-never-drink-old-leftover-water-from-a-plastic-bottle/