EPA scientists are developing and evaluating new methods to evaluate chemicals for potential health effects. These methods are fast, cost effective, and reduce our reliance on traditional methods which use laboratory animals.
When I attended the U.S. EPA-hosted PFAS Summit held at the Horsham, PA high school auditorium on July 25, 2018, the education I received from state and municipal leaders focusing on the local problem was more than just a professional briefing. It was ominously personal, due to the fact that the Water Online editorial office where I work and drink water every day is served by a utility sitting smack-dab in the middle of one of the most concentrated PFAS hotspots in the U.S.
Sorting through practical, legal, and environmental considerations related to Michigan House Bills 5752 and 5753 — proposed oversight for onsite wastewater treatment systems
The past few months have been highly eventful for California water watchers. In June, by a margin of 57 to 43 percent, California voters approved Proposition 68, a $4.1 billion parks and water bond that will provide approximately $1.3 billion for water-related projects across the state. Then in July, the California Water Commission approved $2.6 billion of funds authorized by Proposition 1, passed by the voters in 2014, to be used for eight new water storage projects. These developments reflect that California is taking a bold and multi-pronged approach to addressing its water needs, investing both in new large infrastructure projects and in more modest projects to improve the state’s existing resources and assets.
In 1992, the City of Madison, Wisconsin, found concentrations of lead in their drinking water exceeding the 90th percentile action level of 0.015 mg/L set by EPA. Lead (Pb) is a naturally-occurring metal that was commonly used in household plumbing materials, such as lead service lines and leaded solder joints, before limits were set on its use in 1986.
Smart water networks today do more than read meters. They also collect data from sensors on distribution networks to help reduce non-revenue water losses, monitor and control pressures in water mains, and prevent unwanted sewage discharge. These new smart infrastructure solutions help water utilities expand the definition of smart water — going beyond applications aimed at improving billing accuracy and efficiency.
EPA scientists are leading a multi-phase project to evaluate the ability of non-targeted analysis laboratory methods to consistently and correctly identify unknown chemicals in samples. EPA’s Non-Targeted Analysis Collaborative Trial (ENTACT) was formed in late 2015 and includes nearly 30 academic, government, and industry groups. Non-targeted analysis involves analyzing water, soil and other types of samples to identify unknown chemicals that may be present, without having a preconceived idea of what chemicals may be in the samples.
According to a recent survey by the Water Quality Association, 30 percent of residential water utility customers are concerned about the quality of the water coming out of their taps, which is likely one reason that American consumers spent upwards of $16 billion on bottled water last year. It’s also why the water purifier market continues to experience extreme growth and is expected to garner $45.3 billion by 2022 as companies in the space look to better cater to consumer demand.
Microfiltration and ultrafiltration have become mainstays in the water treatment arena. These processes remove contaminants from water by passing it through a low-pressure membrane. Membrane filters are constructed with a variety of materials with various pore sizes. The challenge is determining which best suits the application with regard to performance, cost, and ease of operation.
Water has never been more in demand, and innovative approaches to improving water security have never been more imperative. As our global population grows exponentially, cities and towns expand to accommodate new inhabitants, providing the resources and services they need. Rapid agricultural and industrial development continues apace.
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