Drinking Water Features

31. Sargassum Is Choking The Caribbean's White Sand Beaches, Fueling An Economic And Public Health Crisis 6/5/2024

    Sargassum events have been occurring more frequently and are lasting longer, and the amount of algae is increasing. The situation has gotten so bad that NOAA created a weekly sargassum inundation risk index in collaboration with the University of South Florida. They have predicted that 2024 will be another terrible year for the Caribbean.

32. Fresh Water And Key Conditions For Life Appeared On Earth Half A Billion Years Earlier Than We Thought 6/4/2024

    The oldest life on Earth left in our fragmented rock record is 3.5 billion years old, with some chemical data showing it may even be as old as 3.8 billion years. Scientists have hypothesized life might be even older, but we have no records of that being the case. Our new study published in Nature Geoscience provides the first evidence of fresh water and dry land on Earth by 4 billion years ago. Knowing when the cradle of life — water and land — first appeared on Earth ultimately provides clues as to how we came to be.

33. Old Lead-Infested Water Pipelines Are Being Replaced At A Rapid Pace Throughout America 5/23/2024
    The EPA recently announced that $3 billion funding is available to replace old water distribution pipelines to ensure safe public drinking water throughout the U.S. Even before federal funding became available and mandates were issued, many cities took the initiative to address aging pipeline issues and the dangers associated with lead contamination.
34. Thirsty In Paradise: Water Crises Are A Growing Problem Across The Caribbean Islands 5/14/2024
    In the popular imagination, the Caribbean is paradise, an exotic place to escape to. But behind the images of balmy beaches and lush hotel grounds lies a crisis, the likes of which its residents have never experienced.
35. 6 Steps To Improving Energy Efficiency In Water And Wastewater Operations 5/7/2024
    Water and wastewater utilities account for nearly 4% of the world's energy consumption. With emissions targets looming and pressures building around water tariffs that frequently fall short of covering costs, there's an urgent need to reduce energy usage. This means tackling inefficient processes, such as mechanical flow control and the use of oversized equipment.
36. From Scarcity To Stewardship To Sustainability 5/2/2024
    Every drop of water counts, but when we talk about our collective conservation efforts for the greater good, it's natural to think about high-volume users. Those users are generally on the industrial side of things — agriculture, of course; the energy industry, with its intractable relationship to water; and also the food and beverage industry. Thankfully, there are leaders in these spaces who not only understand the need for sustainable water management — they pioneer it.
37. Awaiting The Final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements: What Happens Next? 5/2/2024
    From "Revisions" to "Improvements," the EPA is making further changes to the Lead and Copper Rule to keep drinking water systems working toward the ultimate goal.
38. Aqua From The Air: The Promise Of Fog Harvesting For Clean Water Access 5/2/2024
    The answer to water scarcity could be right in front of us — and above and all around — if the technology of drawing water from the atmosphere can be made practical.
39. Funding The Fight Against PFAS And Lead In Drinking Water 5/2/2024

    An overview of funding opportunities for water utilities to meet new and upcoming compliance objectives, as well as technology considerations to reduce further contamination.

40. How Monitoring Treatment Processes Drives Efficiency And Confidence 5/2/2024
    Climate change, consumer confidence, and emerging contaminants add to the challenges of water treatment. Rising costs of improved treatment, including both equipment and chemicals, make it even more important for plants to operate efficiently.