SOURCE WATER CONTAMINATION RESOURCES

• Eco-Dredging: Balancing Sediment Removal With Environmental Preservation

  Wastewater professionals in the U.S. are cleaning up their processes to represent sustainable ideals. Dredging is next on the list to become a greener version of itself. Sediment removal may be dredging’s basis, but it is possible to respect habitats, biodiversity, and conservation despite the activity.

• A Tiny Bit Of PFAS

  In the most recent edition of Water Innovations, there is not a single article focused on PFAS. That wouldn't be exceptional if not for the fact that discussion around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances has so thoroughly dominated the water space lately. And yet, I penned this as an intro to the edition — just "a tiny bit of PFAS" content — because a small portion of PFAS is of the utmost importance in terms of treatment, policy, and cost.

• Sargassum Is Choking The Caribbean's White Sand Beaches, Fueling An Economic And Public Health Crisis

  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.

• Funding The Fight Against PFAS And Lead In Drinking Water

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

• PFAS Technology Options Provide Water Treatment Solutions Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) continue to dominate the conversation as an emerging contaminant of concern due to their potential for adverse human health effects and continued regulation. This group of chemicals can be found in a wide variety of consumer products and drinking water.
• New Water Quality Standards Will Result In Billions Being Spent To Remediate PFAS Contamination Recently, the U.S. EPA announced long-awaited water quality standards outlining the maximum contaminant levels for PFAS contaminants in drinking water. This marks the first time national standards for a new contaminant have been added to the Safe Drinking Water Act since 1996. It represents, without doubt, an ominous alert that should be noted.
• Removing PFAS From Public Water Systems Will Cost Billions And Take Time — Here Are Ways You Can Filter Out Harmful 'Forever Chemicals' At Home

  My team at the University of Notre Dame works on solving problems involving contaminants in water systems, including PFAS. We explore new technologies to remove PFAS from drinking water and to handle the PFAS waste. Here’s a glimpse of the magnitude of the challenge and ways you can reduce PFAS in your own drinking water.

• 6 Steps To Complying With New PFAS Drinking Water Regulations

  In April 2024, the U.S. EPA released regulations for PFAS limits in municipal drinking water, greatly impacting municipalities and the water industry as a whole. There are several steps that can be taken to successfully navigate the upcoming regulations.

• Solutions In Bloom: How Flowers Are Being Used To Clean Up Polluted Waterways

  Pollution and microplastics float down waterways that treatment plants have to manage. Alongside these contaminants are drifting flowers that clear aquatic habitats. Recent research shows they could be an organic method for removing phosphorus and nitrogen.

• Lead From Old Paint And Pipes Is Still A Harmful And Deadly Hazard In Millions Of U.S. Homes The WHO estimates that more than 1 million deaths each year are attributable to lead poisoning. In more recent years, this number has risen at an incredible pace, with some research showing that nearly 5.5 million adults die from lead-related health complications. Understanding and addressing this persistent problem will require improved monitoring, targeted remediation, and a great deal more awareness and dialogue.