Tag Archive for 'water pollution'

Chesapeake Bay Case Settled With Nation’s Largest Water Cleanup Plan

Published on 05/13/2010 in contaminated water, policy and solutions and outreach. 0 Comments Tags: Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay foundation, EPA, estuary restoration, water cleanup plan, water pollution.

“Restoration of the Chesapeake Bay entered a new phase today as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, its co-plaintiffs, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settled their lawsuit with a binding agreement that will require pollution to be reduced across the nation’s largest estuary.

“The settlement requires EPA to take specific actions by dates certain to ensure that pollution to local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay is reduced enough to remove the bay from the federal “dirty waters” list, said Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William Baker.

“When we filed our notice of intent in October 2008, EPA had been missing in action for years. The Bush administration had 60 days to respond, but consistent with its previous eight years it did nothing,” said Baker.

“We filed suit on January 5, 2009, and began negotiations with the new administration. While it has taken longer than we would have liked, we are very pleased with the results and commend Lisa Jackson and her senior staff for their willingness to work through the bureaucracy to obtain this game-changing agreement,” he said.”

Water pollution expert derides UN sanitation claims

Published on 04/25/2010 in contaminated water, greenwashing, groundwater, policy and world water supply. 0 Comments Tags: UN, UN millennium development goal, water pollution, water sanitation, water scarcity, world health organization, world water supply.

Safe drinking water

“In its latest report on the progress of the UN Millennium Development Goal to halve the proportion of people lacking access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, the World Health Organisation said that since 1990 1.3 billion people had gained access to improved drinking water and 500 million better sanitation. The world was on course to “meet or exceed” the water target, it said, but was likely to miss the sanitation goal by nearly 1 billion people.

“However, Prof Asit Biswas, who has advised national governments, six UN agencies and Nato, said official figures showing that many cities and countries had met their targets were “baloney”, and predicted that by the UN deadline of 2015 more people in the world would suffer from these problems than when the goals were first adopted.

“If somebody has a well in a town or village in the developing world and we put concrete around the well – nothing else – it becomes an ‘improved source of water’; the quality is the same but you have ‘improved’ the physical structure, which has no impact,” said Biswas. “They are not only underestimating the problem, they are giving the impression the problem is being solved. What I’m trying to say is that’s a bunch of baloney.”

“Barbara Frost, chief executive of the UK-based global charity WaterAid, said: “Here is a global catastrophe which kills more children than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined and which is holding back all development efforts including health and education.”

Lynn Henning wins environmental award for CAFO monitoring [dairy manure spill into Lake Hudson]

Published on 04/20/2010 in contaminated water and solutions and outreach. 3 Comments Tags: CAFO, concentrated animal feeding operations, dairy farm pollution, dairy farming runoff, goldman environmental award, lake hudson, water pollution.

“Lynn Henning of Clayton is among six environmental activists from around the world receiving prizes today from the Goldman Environmental Foundation at a ceremony in San Francisco.

“Henning has had a running confrontation with a number of large dairy, or CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation), operators since a dairy manure spill into Lake Hudson caught her attention in 2002.

“Her goal, she said, is seeing stricter regulations enacted for concentrated animal feeding operations. The CAFO operations that have developed in recent years are very different from family farms that government agencies have been used to dealing with, she said.”

The Nation’s Big Water Repair Bill

Published on 04/11/2010 in contaminated water and tap water. 0 Comments Tags: bottled water, clean water act, EPA, water infrastructure, water pollution.

toxic water

“While the E.P.A. and state environmental agencies are failing to fully enforce our federal and state clean water laws, it’s also a funding problem. Since 1978, the U.S. share of water infrastructure spending has plunged from about 75 percent to less than 5 percent, leaving cash-strapped state and local governments to shoulder an expense most cannot afford.

“As a result, our water delivery and sewage treatment systems are deteriorating, threatening public health and forcing many Americans to rely increasingly on expensive bottled water, which from an environmental and economic point of view is a disastrous trend.”

EPA study of the Portage River Basin indicates several major non-attainments

Published on 04/10/2010 in contaminated water, policy and rivers. 0 Comments Tags: clean water act, Ohio EPA, Portage River Basin, sewage treatment, sewage treatment runoff, water pollution, watsewater.

Mouth of the Portage River in Port Clinton

“According to the Clean Water Act, all rivers and streams should be suitable for recreation and/or aquatic life. It is the job of the EPA to evaluate whether they meet these standards. Between 2006 and 2008, the Ohio EPA tested 80 sites in the Portage River Basin, with nearly half failing to meet Clean Water Act standards. Overall, 27% were in partial attainment, and 19% were in non-attainment.

“Many of the issues of the assessment indicate sewage treatment failures. Water around Fosteria and Port Clinton had high ammonia levels, an indication of failures at their waste water treatment facility. Failing home sewage treatment systems and unsewered areas also contributed to nutrient and organic overload. ”

Watering a Lawn Could Lead to Water Pollution, EPA

Published on 04/09/2010 in groundwater and solutions and outreach. 0 Comments Tags: EPA, groundwater, landscape watering, runoff, solutions and outreach, stormwater, water pollution.

storm runoff

“Without first traveling through a natural filtration system, like a wetland, or artificial filtration system, pollutants end up in waterways and damage ecosystems and water quality, according to the EPA. Cars, lawns, pets and other parts of everyday life lead to a major source of pollution for waterways, while impermeable surfaces like streets, buildings and sidewalks lead to increased runoff into storm sewers.”

EPA moves to veto massive mountaintop removal operation in West Virginia

Published on 04/01/2010 in policy, rivers and solutions and outreach. 0 Comments Tags: coal mining, EPA, Logan Co., mountaintop removal, Oldhouse Branch and tributaries, Pigeonroost Branch, Seng Camp Branch, water pollution, West Virginia water.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authorized the Mingo Coal Co. — a subsidiary of Arch Coal of St. Louis, the nation’s second-largest coal producer — to dump waste from the mining operation into Seng Camp Branch, Pigeonroost Branch, Oldhouse Branch and tributaries. As authorized, the project would directly impact more than 2,200 acres and seven miles of streams.

“While acknowledging the project has already undergone extensive regulatory review, EPA does not want it to move forward:

“EPA Region III is taking this action because it believes, despite all the regulatory processes intended to protect the environment, that construction of Spruce No. 1 Mine as authorized would destroy streams and habitat, cause significant degradation of on-site and downstream water quality, and could therefore result in unacceptable adverse impacts to wildlife and fishery resources.”

The making of World Water Wars

Published on 03/31/2010 in climate change, contaminated water, dams, drought, floods, groundwater, policy, water wars and world water supply. 0 Comments Tags: blue gold, maude barlow, sam bozzo, water documentary, water literacy, water pollution, water wars, world water supply.

I was horrified to discover that what was happening on our planet now was worse than what we were dreaming up for science fiction

“The night before I was to set out shooting, the sponsor backed out. I was about to wake my wife and tell her that I must quit and return the goods. However, en route to our bedroom, I encountered our three-year old son Ethan in the hall, awakened from his sleep.

“He said, “I’m thirsty.”

“I fetched him a glass of water. I went to bed. I did not tell my wife about the financial situation. I awoke and set out traveling alone; a one-man crew on an adventure that changed me forever.”

Interactive Map: California: Compliance With Water Quality Laws

Published on 03/31/2010 in contaminated water and policy. 0 Comments Tags: california water, contaminated water, interactive water map, water pollution, water pollution violations.

“CCKA recognized World Water Day through the release of its new, statewide, online interactive map tracking industry’s compliance with water quality laws. This tool maps all dischargers throughout the state issued mandatory minimum penalties (MMPs) since 2000. The state levies MMPs for “serious” and “multiple chronic” water quality law violations.

“The map, sorted by Regional Water Board, allows users to click on specific facilities to learn more about their violation records. The map also highlights facilities that have not received MMPs in recent years. Violations related to sewage releases, industrial wastes, and contaminated groundwater most frequently caused the issuance of MMPs statewide.

“The MMP Map complements CCKA’s enforcement efforts to improve the level, prioritization, and transparency of California’s water law enforcement activities. Additional public enforcement reports are available on the State Water Board’s website.”

U.N. report: Let’s turn foul water from mass killer into global treasure

Published on 03/30/2010 in contaminated water, graywater, groundwater and world water supply. 0 Comments Tags: contaminated water, EPA, sick water, water pollution, watsewater reclamation, world water supply.

The Ganges is one of India's sacred rivers, but concern over pollution along the river's entire course is growing.

“Contaminated and polluted water now kills more people than all forms of violence including wars, according to a United Nations report released Monday that calls for turning unsanitary wastewater into an environmentally safe economic resource.

“As a result, “it is essential that wastewater management is considered as part of integrated, ecosystem-based management that operates across sectors and borders, freshwater and marine.”

Argentines fight to save river

Published on 03/29/2010 in contaminated water and rivers. 0 Comments Tags: argentina, Buenos Aires, contaminated water, Riachuelo river, water pollution, water related illness, world bank.

“The Riachuelo river, which originates in the Buenos Aires province in Argentina, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, according to environmental activists.

“For decades, tons of industrial and household waste have been dumped into the river, which has become a lifeless sludge.”

Unsafe water kills more people than war, Ban says on World Day

Published on 03/23/2010 in contaminated water, graywater and solutions and outreach. 1 Comment Tags: UN, water pollution, water related deaths, water scarcity, world water day, world water supply.

“Every day around the world, 2 million tons of sewage and industrial and agricultural waste are poured in the earth’s waters, while one child under the age of five dies every 20 seconds from water-related diseases, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

“Human activity over the past 50 years is responsible for unprecedented pollution, and the quality of the world’s water resources is increasingly challenged,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

“It may seem like an overwhelming challenge but there are enough solutions where human ingenuity allied to technology and investments in nature’s purification systems – such as wetlands, forests and mangroves – can deliver clean water for a healthy world.”

16 Cities Sue Manufacturer Of Atrazine Weed-Killer For Contaminating Drinking Water

Published on 03/10/2010 in contaminated water and tap water. 0 Comments Tags: agricultural pollution, atrazine, groundwater, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, missouri, ohio, ontaminated water, runoff, syngenta ag, syngenta corp, tap water, water pollution.

“The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois by 16 cities in Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and Iowa. The communities allege that Swiss corporation Syngenta AG and its Delaware counterpart Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. reaped billions of dollars from the sale of atrazine while local taxpayers were left with the financial burden of filtering the chemical from drinking water.”

RXDisposal Solutions, LLC of Springfield Township, reduces pill pollution

Published on 03/09/2010 in graywater, groundwater, solutions and outreach and water technology. 0 Comments Tags: contaminated water, graywater, groundwater, pharmaceutical pollution, RXDisposal, solutions and outreach, water pollution, water technology.

“The company offers a disposal kit, soon to be released, which turns nearly all medications into an insoluble, bitter and gritty mass that remains solid so it can safely be transported to the landfill.

“No more flushing, no more lose pills in the trash and no more wastewater contamination.”

Exposed: Chevron’s Cover-up of Gross Environmental Abuses in Ecuador

Published on 03/09/2010 in contaminated water and rivers. 1 Comment Tags: aguarico river, chevron, cofan, contaminated water, ecuador, indigenous people, rivers, water pollution.

“In 1964, it started. That was the year they made the first well at Lago Agrio. But we didn’t know that petroleum was a contaminant. It was with the help of the Summer Institute of Linguistics [a missionary group] that we found out that it was a carcinogen and that it would cause different kinds of illnesses. Two of my children died from drinking contaminated water. Since then, we don’t drink any water from the Aguarico River, because it’s completely contaminated with oil, so we don’t even bathe in it. We have to look for a spring or catch rainwater. We’ve gotten exactly three things from the company: pollution, sickness and death; that’s it.”

“Systematic failure” leads to fine for over 300 waste breaches

Published on 03/05/2010 in contaminated water. 0 Comments Tags: sewage, Veolia, wastewater, water pollution.

“Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies (VWS) has pleaded guilty to ten environmental breaches at Selby Magistrates’ Court. The breaches occurred in 2008 and 2009 and related to its running of a Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) in Tadcaster. The WTP served two breweries on different sites, with one run by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries and the other by Molson Coors Brewing Company.”

Malfunction dumps 2.5 million gallons of sewage into Taunton River

Published on 03/03/2010 in contaminated water, rivers and uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: taunton river, water pollution.

“According to Sullivan, a control system automatically turns the pumps on. When the malfunction occurred, the pumps failed to turn on and the sewage was released into Mount Hope Bay. ”
read more: The Herald News

chrismorrow

EPA adds polluted NYC canal to Superfund list

Published on 03/03/2010 in contaminated water. 0 Comments Tags: Gowanus canal, New York, superfund, water pollution.

“The New York Times described the [Gowanus] canal in 1893 as a “disease-breeding and foul-smelling open sewer.” The stench was so bad it sometimes bothered residents a half-mile away.”

“After 150 years of abuse and neglect,” said the group’s chief investigator, Josh Verleun, “the Gowanus Canal will finally get the comprehensive cleanup that the residents of the area deserve.”

Congress must protect Central Florida’s waters

Published on 03/02/2010 in contaminated water. 1 Comment Tags: everglade waters, everglades, Florida waters, water pollution.

“The Clean Water Act is the key piece of legislation designed to protect our waters. It was passed in 1972 when America’s rivers were so polluted that some, like Ohio’s Cuyahoga River, caught fire. We have come a long way in almost 40 years. Unfortunately, recent Supreme Court decisions have set us back, taking away Clean Water Act protections for thousands of streams and millions of acres of wetlands.

Now developers can pave over wetlands and pollute the streams that feed our waterways, and there is nothing the federal government can do about it.”