While natural disasters such as forest fires can cause lakes to burn and become acidic, human activities can also cause water pollution that risks or reduces the quality of waterbodies. The quality of freshwater sources, including lakes, is threatened by both population growth and industrialization.
Without leaders on the ground and in local, district, and national governments championing water services for Everyone Forever, the wells and pumps don’t mean much.
By now, just about everyone in the U.S. has heard about Flint, Michigan’s water woes. Despite the many issues raised by that incident, urban water systems are not the sole reason the 2017 Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers gives the U.S. drinking water infrastructure an overall “D” grade. Hidden within that disheartening rating are the harsh realities faced by rural water systems.
For many people, hot springs conjure up thoughts of cleansing and purity. For centuries, humans have visited hot springs to relax and recover. But as with any natural water body, hot springs can also exhibit biota that can infect and in severe cases kill.
“When the well’s dry,” Benjamin Franklin once said, “we know the worth of water.” Today, our freshwater supplies face serious threats — including drought, wildfire, and other impacts of a warming climate. From California to Cape Town, the worth of water has become crystal clear.
A deep dive into reverse osmosis (RO) elements reveals the importance of feed channel spacers for optimal membrane filtration system performance.
Water Research Foundation (WRF) research examines successes and challenges for “One Water” management of resources and long-term sustainability.
One thing was certain after the Two Nations One Water: U.S.-Mexico Border Water Summit concluded March 2 at El Paso Water’s TecH2O Learning Center. Policymakers, researchers and industry experts from both sides of the border care deeply about water sustainability and are committed to solutions to ensure the long-term vitality of their respective communities. About 300 convened at the two-day event, eager and ready to work together.
From Cape Town to Puerto Rico to Flint, MI, it's no surprise that drought, flooding, and water pollution can devastate communities, impacting lives and hindering economic growth. But the physical components of water supply — its abundance or scarcity, levels of pollution, and the competition over it — are only half of the equation when it comes to overall water security. What's just as important is how water is managed by public institutions, such as water utilities and local governments.
Protecting the public health and ensuring water is safe to drink is the highest goal of water system managers. Negative health effects are indicated from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS). Based on lab studies, the U.S. EPA has issued a health advisory for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water of 70 parts per trillion. While health advisories are not enforceable, they offer a margin of safety for consumers.
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