Peter Chawaga

EDITORIAL BY PETER

• Western Wildfires Likely To Cause Toxic Algal Blooms

  Of the many adverse environmental effects caused by the major wildfires currently burning throughout the Western United States, at least one could be particularly devastating to source water management and, eventually, drinking water treatment operations.

• New Study Finds Cause-And-Effect Between PFAS Consumption, Reproductive Issues

  New research has underscored the pervasive health effects that can stem from one of the country’s most notorious drinking water contaminants — and it might become key in legal battles between consumers and the industrial operations responsible for introducing them into water systems.

• Two Wastewater Treatment Plant Employees Found Dead In Pumphouse

  In a tragedy that rocked a community in Nebraska, two city employees were found dead at the state’s McCook Wastewater Treatment Plant.

• EPA Chief Vows To Focus On Local Environmentalism Over Climate Change

  During a speech to commemorate the U.S. EPA’s 50th anniversary, its leader laid out the vision for its operation during a potential second term of President Trump’s administration.

• U.S. Pursuing Billion-Dollar Programs To Relocate Neighborhoods In Flood Zones

  With the threat of widespread and catastrophic flooding in the U.S. only rising, the federal government is now taking more aggressive action to move residents from danger’s path.

• Abandoned Mines Pose Significant Water Quality Threat

  In August 2015, an accidental wastewater spill from Colorado’s Gold King Mine released a flood of contaminants into source water across three states. Though the U.S. EPA settled with the State of Utah earlier this month regarding the contamination there, it’s clear that the agency has a lot more work to do to protect other areas of the country from similar disasters.

• Ohio’s Algae-Fighting Bill Reaches $815M Over Last 10 Years

  Ohio’s toxic algae problems are well documented. In 2014, high microcystin concentrations in drinking water caused by this algae led to a drinking water shutdown in Toledo.

• Planned Pipeline Will Bring Treated Wastewater To Drought-Stricken Southwest

  As the southwestern U.S. experiences acute source-water scarcity, a major infrastructure project may soon offer relief to the region — particularly its oil and gas operations — while reducing the stress being placed on increasingly strained groundwater.

• CDC, Department Of Health Launch Coronavirus Wastewater Surveillance System

  It’s been well documented that traces of the novel coronavirus, and information about spread and containment, can be found by testing wastewater. For instance, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers developed a methodology for tracing the virus through sewage.

• Lead Service Line Replacement Deadline, Financial Compensation Announced For Flint

  More than four years since a federal state of emergency was declared over the high levels of lead contamination in Flint, MI drinking water, the road to recovery is ongoing, but there may now be some relief in sight.