Latest news with #drinkingwater
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
The U.S. Has a ‘Forever Chemicals' Problem. A French Company Is Cleaning It Up.
Drinking water in Delaware is now being cleaned by one of the largest 'forever chemicals' treatment centers in the country. Veolia, a French waste-management giant and the largest private water operator in the U.S., launched the facility on Wednesday. Boasting almost the same size as a hockey rink, it is the company's largest plant yet to clean PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—more commonly known as forever chemicals. PFAS linger in the environment for years, permeating the environment, including drinking water. Veolia already has 34 facilities on a much smaller scale dotted around the country. But the Stanton plant is now processing 30 million gallons of water a day and serving 100,000 residents. The company wants to expand to about 100 such sites in the next few years. Veolia said its revenue for PFAS cleanup grew to €205 million in 2024, just two years after launching the efforts. The tides are turning on some PFAS requirements, however. The Environmental Protection Agency in 2023 set in motion the first federal limits on PFAS in drinking water, which would have mandated municipalities to filter out the chemicals. But in May, under the Trump administration, the agency said it is looking to delay or roll back the Biden administration standards. While environmental and health advocates balked at the shift, some industry groups have said postponements—from a 2029 to a 2031 deadline—would help with preparations. The loosening of Biden-era limits on forever chemicals is surprising given that EPA administrator Lee Zeldin previously broke with many Republicans to support a bill that would have reduced the use of PFAS contamination. The EPA aims to unwind limits on four kinds of PFAS, meaning that only those known as PFOA and PFOS would be regulated going forward. Aside from drinking water, PFAS can also be found in a range of consumer products from food packaging to textiles and cosmetics. Research has linked PFAS exposure to a range of health problems, from cancer to low birth weight in newborns. The chemicals get into the water and soil when they are used for manufacturing, or even from firefighting foam at airports, for example. 'PFAS contamination poses a serious threat to public health, and addressing it at the source is essential,' Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer said. The cleaning technology Veolia uses in its water plants depends on the type of PFAS, but the company uses granular activated carbon in large tanks, for example, which is a common treatment method to filter out the chemicals. The Delaware facility has 42 large tanks filled with activated carbon. The PFAS molecules stick to the carbon by grabbing onto tiny crevices that give them a large surface area to attach to. The amount of water flooding into the tanks is monitored to give the molecules enough time to bond. The carbon has to be replaced once it has reached its absorption capacity and then collected by a vendor who can perform a chemical removal process so the carbon could be reused in the tanks. Activated carbon 'is one of the most widely used and effective methods for treating PFAS' said Vasilis Vasiliou, chair of the environmental health sciences department at Yale. But it is 'not a universal solution and has important limitations depending on the PFAS type and treatment goals,' he said. The pros are that it is extensively studied and regulated for drinking water treatment plants, but the cons are that the chemicals are captured rather than broken down, so there is a future contamination risk during disposal. The company worked to make the technology affordable so that communities across the U.S. would be able to invest in it, said Estelle Brachlianoff, Veolia's CEO. 'We're not here to be the luxury goods of water treatment,' Brachlianoff said. Public anxiety about PFAS continues to brew as the scale of the problem has come to light. About 45% of tap water contains one or more PFAS, according to a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey, the science arm of the Interior Department. Companies also face a patchwork of state rules to phase out forever chemicals. Recently, Florida and Virginia enacted PFAS cleanup targets for drinking water. And a further wave of states have proposed a variety of drinking water standards for forever chemicals. To complicate matters, the standards of acceptable chemical levels are far from uniform. In Delaware—a state represented by Joe Biden for decades—there is a bill pending that would put water utilities on notice if PFAS exceed certain limits. The water utilities would then have to notify their customers. 'Clean water should be the baseline,' said David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, a consumer research nonprofit, on its website. 'Making water safer begins with ending the unnecessary use of PFAS and holding polluters accountable for cleanup.' The EPA has alluded to holding polluters accountable, but hasn't provided further details at this time. Write to Clara Hudson at
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Tap water contains hidden danger linked to harm for unborn babies
Columbia University researchers found pregnant woman exposed to even trace amounts in drinking water were much more likely to have premature births or have underweight kids. Children born preterm or underweight face lifelong risks—impaired cognition, developmental delays, and chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and immune deficiencies. Arsenic crosses the placenta and disrupts fetal development by interfering with hormones, DNA expression, and organ formation. It also disrupts nutrient absorption, stunting growth, and triggers inflammation, raising the risk of an early birth. The EPA's current max contamination limit (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter (μg/L). But the researchers found: 'Higher prenatal public water arsenic was associated with lower birth weight, reduced birth weight–for–gestational a higher risk of low birth weight even at concentrations less than 5 μg/L.' Arsenic seeps into groundwater and contaminates the supply that ultimately reaches tap water in homes. An estimated 2.1 million people throughout the US may be drinking domestic well water high in arsenic. The element has also been found in municipal water supplies in all 50 states. Up to 280 million people rely on public water systems. The greatest concern is water systems in the Southwest due to arsenic-rich rocks and arsenic-rich volcanic and sedimentary rock erosion. The new paper, funded by the NIH, analyzed data from a nationwide research project called the ECHO Cohort, which tracks over 69 different groups of pregnant women and children across the US and Puerto Rico. It revealed white mothers were most exposed to higher arsenic levels – over 10 micrograms per liter (μg/L) in public water - making up 69 percent of this group. Slightly under eight percent had underweight newborns,1,190 of 14,000 births births came too early, 840 infants were critically small, and 1,400 babies were dangerously undersized for their stage of development. This study revealed racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. Hispanic/Latino mothers had healthier babies—higher birth weights and fewer complications—than non-Hispanic/Latino mothers. In contrast, Black mothers' babies were, on average, 245 grams lighter and faced higher risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and being small for gestational age. 'Most U.S. residents rely on public drinking water, and our findings suggest that further reducing arsenic in public water systems could be an important step to improve infant health across the U.S.,' said Dr Anne Nigra, PhD, an environmental health scientist at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health. 'Even low levels of arsenic in public drinking water were associated with low birthweight and other adverse birth outcomes in U.S. infants.' Long-term exposure has been linked to leukemia and cancers of the colon, skin, breast, stomach, mouth, kidney, and more, as well as heart disease. Even tiny amounts of inorganic arsenic — the kind found in drinking water — wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system by causing oxidative stress that can kill cells, inflammation that damages blood vessels, and stiff, damaged arteries. 'Most U.S. residents rely on public drinking water, and our findings suggest that further reducing arsenic in public water systems could be an important step to improve infant health across the U.S.,' said Dr Anne Nigra, an environmental health expert at Columbia University 's Mailman School of Public Health. The Columbia researchers behind the latest study analyzed arsenic exposure in 14,000 US pregnancies by linking EPA water system data recorded from 2006 to 2019 to records of where the participants lived during pregnancy. Researchers tracked monthly water arsenic levels and examined four birth outcomes: preterm delivery, low birth weight, small gestational size, and birth weight scores. The analysis accounted for factors like maternal age and education while intentionally preserving racial/ethnic differences. Even small increases in arsenic levels (one μg/L) in public water raised low birth weight risks by three percent, with higher exposures (five μg/L) increasing risks by 16 percent. They reported some caveats. The majority of ECHO participants reside in urban areas. They estimated arsenic exposure based on local water systems near people's homes, but they do not yet know if this fully captures their actual exposure. People do not just drink water at home. They are also exposed at work, school, or other places they go to frequently. The researchers' findings were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Tests show 'forever chemicals' in CNMI, Guam
Photo: Supplied Tests on drinking water in Saipan, in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam have revealed high levels of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals'). The information, shared in a conference in Saipan, said that wells on the CNMI island are among the most contaminated in the US. Travis Spaeth, chief engineer and safe drinking water program manager at the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, said Saipan has four drinking water entry points ranked among the 15 most PFAS-contaminated systems in the entire United States. One well near the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, previously used for firefighting training, had concentrations exceeding more than 1,700 times above the new federal maximum contaminant level . The CNMI has its own maximum level - which is higher - but authorities are racing to comply with the stricter US standard, which requires full compliance by 2031. To meet that, the Commonwealth Utlities Corporation has installed granular activated carbon filters at multiple sites, bringing PFAS levels down to undetectable levels in some areas. However, Spaeth warned that maintaining the filters and managing the spent material off-island is expensive and logistically difficult. Spaeth said long-term options such as aquifer remediation, expanded rainwater catchment systems, and even energy-intensive desalination must be considered. The CNMI is also exploring partnerships with the US military and the Federal Aviation Administration - both historically linked to PFAS use - for support in cleanup funding and possible future blood testing for exposed residents and first responders. In Guam, PFAS hotspots include landfills, firefighting training sites, airport crash zones, and military bases. Two staff from Guam's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sierra Armstrong-Bettis and Nicole Ha'ane Diras, also presented at the symposium. Using data from EPA region nine and Guam Waterworks Authority, their analysis found PFAS contamination across all parts of the island, with particularly high levels in Hagåtña, Sinajana, Agana Heights, and Mongmong-Toto-Maite. The Guam EPA team overlaid contaminant data with population risk factors such as daycare centres, schools, low-income housing, and clinics. They found the most at-risk groups often live in areas with limited access to alternative water sources like water refill stations. Granular activated carbon remains the main treatment tool in Guam, but like in Saipan, disposal and replacement of spent filters is a growing challenge. Diras and Armstrong-Bettis called for greater US government investment.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Northern Colorado water district to tap aquifer 800 feet underground, securing drinking water for expected growth
The Fort Collins Loveland Water District is investing in an aquifer near the Wyoming and Colorado border in an effort to secure drinking water for the region's projected growth. The aquifer, combined with the district's shares in surface water, could help guarantee many Northern Colorado residents have reliable access to drinking water for hundreds of years. Chris Pletcher, general manager of the district, said his team is partnering with a company known as Front Range H20 Transfer, LLC, in order to tap the aquifer. An aquifer is a naturally formed retainer underground capable of holding water without it flowing elsewhere downstream. "An aquifer is underground rock layers that are porous. They have holes in them that contain water," Pletcher said. "All of our portfolio today is based on surface water." Chris Pletcher, general manager of the Fort Collins Loveland Water District, discusses plans to tap a new aquifer to provide more drinking water for the growing region. CBS The district bought into the aquifer located in far-north Weld County, buying the rights to a percentage of the aquifer's resources. They have the ability to buy more shares of the rights in the years to come if need be. Shaped like a metaphorical bowl or tank, the aquifer has water naturally trapped inside it. The aquifer, more specifically identified as an aquitard, is enclosed. That means, in order to pull water from it, the aquitard must be tapped into by a drill and piping. From there, districts like those with the Fort Collins Loveland Water District are able to siphon out water from the natural resource when needed. However, Pletcher said that they plan to rely on their share only in times of need. "In dry years we will lean on it a little heavier, and in surplus years of surface water or wet years, we will put more into the aquifer," Pletcher said. As part of their agreement to participate in this project, the district will return the same amount of water it pulls from the aquifer. The district currently owns water rights to the Poudre River as well as the Laramie, Michigan, and Colorado Rivers. Cache La Poudre Canyon, in northern Colorado, is seen in 2023. Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images In dry years, the district would have to return water from those rivers and pump it to Weld County and down into the aquifer. Pletcher said the effort will ultimately save his customers money. "Most surface water needs to be supplied and also treated. Because this water doesn't require treatment, this saves us about $200 million by not building a treatment plant specifically for this water," Pletcher said. Northern Colorado is one of the fastest-growing regions in Colorado, with a population projected to double in the next two decades. The Fort Collins Loveland Water District owns the rights to supply certain communities water if builders are granted permission to add taps by the respective communities. Without control over when the growth will take place, or how quickly, Pletcher said it was important for the district to further secure water access in anticipation of the growth. Pletcher said he believed the aquifer would help his district further secure water for more than 5,000 new homes, or an additional 10,000 consumers, over the next decade. Pletcher said this was a great opportunity for his company to also secure access to drinking water without having to buy and dry an agricultural operation, "which really feels good to us, that we are not having a detrimental effect on agriculture," he said. If the project moves forward as anticipated, the district will have access to the aquifer's resources by the spring of 2029. "That is really important for us, to meet the current and future needs of our customers," Pletcher said.
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Gerald Giam draws attention to a petition calling for free-flow tap water at dine-in eateries
SINGAPORE: Workers' Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Gerald Giam (Aljunied Group Representation Constituency [GRC]) pointed out in a Facebook post on Thursday (Jun 12) that there are food and beverage establishments in Singapore where water costs as much as sugary drinks do. He added that this could lead diners in the direction of less healthy options, which in turn could increase the risk of people suffering from diabetes and obesity. A few months ago, Mr Giam called on the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) to encourage eateries, even those in coffee shops and malls, to offer low-cost drinking water as a best practice. He also highlighted a petition recently shared on the platform, calling for free-flowing tap water in dine-in eateries, which a member of the public had launched. 'In a country where tap water is clean, safe, and abundantly available, it is unjustified to restrict access to tap water, especially in establishments that already impose a 10% service charge. We urge the Singapore Government to mandate that dine-in F&B establishments provide free-flow tap water to all customers at no additional cost,' the petition by Yucai Yee reads. It points out the advantages of such a move from public health, environmental, and economic perspectives. Mr Giam, who was re-elected to Parliament for a second term, added that he recognises that from a business standpoint, there is a cost for eateries to offer tap water. He added, however, that this can be recovered when water is offered at cost, and underlined that it should be cheaper than sugary drinks, which would support healthier choices and sustainability goals. In his March speech, Mr Giam said that a culture of taking a reusable water bottle everywhere should be encouraged as part of the city-state's sustainability initiatives. This would reduce Singaporeans' reliance on single-use bottles. This point was also made by the author of the petition, who noted that Singapore ranks number one in the world in terms of per capita bottled water consumption, at 1,129 litres per person per year. According to the petition, 'Reducing bottled water sales by offering tap water can significantly lower single-use plastic waste and environmental harm.' In March 2023, similarly, former WP MP Leon Perera also noted that Singapore is the world's largest user of bottled water. He called on Parliament to distribute more water coolers and dispensers around the island to reduce bottled water use and encourage people to hydrate. /TISG Read also: Leon Perera: Since Singapore is the biggest user of bottled water in the world, why can't we have more water coolers & water dispensers?
