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Farmers across the United States use fertilizers and manure loaded with nitrogen and phosphorus on their fields. Unfortunately, these two chemicals often end up in rivers and lakes, contaminating the drinking water used by millions of Americans, reports Water World.
California community members and local public figures gathered in Los Angeles for the Water Replenishment District (WRD) of South California’s Groundwater 101 forum, which featured Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
The Wyland Foundation has launched its National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, reports Water World. The challenge is a non-profit event taking place throughout April 2012. During the month, residents in U.S. cities will compete to see whose metropolitan area is can impact water conservation the most.
Many municipalities get their tap water from local reservoirs, wells or water storage tanks. In the latter instance, these containers may be outdated, and the water held inside impure.
Recently, the Pennsylvania American Water (PAW) announced the start of rehabilitation projects at 11 water storage tanks throughout the state, Water World reports. The tanks will be further inspected and revamped to prevent the steel from rusting and contaminating water quality. The cost of the 11 projects reaches approximately $3.5 million, a small investment in human safety.
In the United States, people are lucky to have high-quality drinking water. Access to purified and treated water is not always available in other parts of the world, and recently UNICEF estimated that approximately 900 million people do not have safe drinking water, Water World reports.
The drinking water in the United States is regulated closely. Water systems are always on the alert for contaminants, such as chemicals that may be used in the treatment or improvement of tap water. It may come as a surprise to many, but officials often use strong chemicals when purifying drinking water. If these solutions go undetected, they could pose a threat to those who've consumed the cleansing products simply by filling up their glass from the tap.
Recently, scientists at the United States Geological Survey in Sacramento, California, were able to demonstrate how aquifer composition may affect how excessive levels of phosphorous can be carried from fertilized farms via groundwater to streams and waterways, Water World reports.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $364,000 to Plattsburg, Missouri, for improvements to its drinking water system, Water World reports.
Agilent Technologies will start work with the University of Arizona’s Dr. Shane Snyder and the university’s BIO5 Institute to develop innovative ways to detect emerging contaminants in water, reports Water World.
Recently, President Obama signed legislation into law that made significant changes to the nation’s pipeline safety programs, reports Water World.