Water


DoD Inspector General to Examine Open Burning of Explosives

Announced Aug. 10 on its website, the project will examine whether DoD's activities comply with relevant environmental and related laws, and also the policies used at the active sites.

U.S. drinking water system operators have been preparing for the federal lead-free law to take effect in January 2014. Four states already have laws in place that comply with or exceed its requirements.

Wisconsin Drinking Water Report: 99+ Percent of Public Systems Meeting Standards

During 2017, more than 99 percent of Wisconsin's public water systems provided water that met all health-based standards for regulated contaminants. "In addition to monitoring, measuring system compliance is part of the overall strategy for managing a sustainable supply of safe drinking water," said Adam DeWeese, DNR section chief of the Public Water Supply Section.

Forest Service, Alaska Working on State-Specific Roadless Rule

Forest Service, Alaska Working on State-Specific Roadless Rule

In establishing this new rule, the Forest Service is responding to Alaska's petition for a full exemption from the 2001 Roadless Rule.

SoCal Gas Announces $119.5 Million Gas Leak Settlement

The parties had submitted a tentative consent decree to the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Aug. 8 to settle the litigation over the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak. At least 109,000 metric tons of methane emissions were released during the leak at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility, according to CARB.

CAL FIRE announced that law enforcement investigators concluded a faulty gas water heater sparked one of the fires that merged to become the Rocky Fire, one of 16 active wildfires in the state as of Aug. 19, 2015.

High Fire Danger Causes Target Shooting Ban in Washington State

On average, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources responds to 22 wildfires annually on lands it manages that are caused by shooting, a number that includes illegal explosive targets and target practice.

Ammonia Emissions Rising, UK Environment Agency Reports

"Urgent action is needed if we are going to tackle the hidden blight of ammonia emissions. These emissions are having a detrimental impact on the environment, precious habitats, and wildlife. As custodians of the land, farmers must take the lead by changing their land management practices," said Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the agency.

$200 Million More Approved for Hanford Cleanup

"This land and groundwater cleanup is an important puzzle piece in the larger Hanford Project," said EPA Regional Administrator Chris Hladick. "Since these areas are virtually on the banks of the Columbia River, this work to further reduce toxic and radiological threats to the river is particularly important."

Wastewater Project Funded in Canadian Town

The town of Shippagan will construct a sanitary sewer on Tom Street to improve wastewater management. The investment in the new sewer pipe is part of an agreement between Canada and New Brunswick for the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.



NC Agency Taking Action on Methyl Bromide Use

"As more businesses seek to use methyl bromide at log fumigation sites in our state, the lack of specific federal or state regulatory measures for the use of this hazarous air pollutant creates a potential public health risk we must address," said DEQ Division of Air Quality Director Mike Abraczinskas.

Washington State Strengthens UST Compliance Rules

Changes the state Department of Ecology has adopted will make the program more effective by streamlining requirements and aligning the rule with state and federal laws.

Colorado Taking Action on Orphaned Oil & Gas Wells

By Aug. 1, the state's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will produce an updated list of all such sites known to exist in the state. Gov. John Hickenlooper's executive order expands state efforts to plug, remediate, and reclaim them and to prevent additional wells and sites from being orphaned in the future.

Texas Board Funds 15 Water and Wastewater Projects

"The TWDB has now committed more than $8 billion in financial assistance since the first cycle of SWIFT funding in 2015," Board Chairman Peter Lake said about the $1.9 billion in financial assistance approved July 26. "The high demand is a testament to the program's success in implementing the state water plan."

EPA, NM Sign Agreement on Increased Recycling of O&G Wastewater

"New Mexico is currently the third largest oil producer in the United States, and that oil is accompanied by even larger quantities of water. Clarifying the state and federal regulatory frameworks associated with its recycling and reuse is of the utmost importance," said New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Ken McQueen.

July 28 Workday, Beach Cleanup Set at Hawaiian State Park

Volunteers are invited to build sand castles using sand that was deposited in an anchialine pool during the 2011 tsunami.

Facing Growing Water Demand Without Aquifers

With the demand for water in this country and around the world growing significantly every year, we won't have the luxury of waiting thousands of years for these aquifers to carry water again.

California became the first state to require solar panels to be installed on almost all new homes built after 2020.

Top Tips to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

The development of renewable energy technologies has given us plenty of new and energy-efficient products used for homes and home appliances.

Two Nevada Agencies Get Water, Radon EPA Grants

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will receive a $100,000 Clean Water Act grant to continue the state's water quality management and planning program to improve impaired waters and protect unimpaired waters across the state.

Scientists Analyzing Smoke of Western Wildfires

The project brings together scientists from five universities and the NSF-funded National Center for Atmospheric Research. "This is a challenging field campaign," said atmospheric scientist Emily Fischer of Colorado State University. "It's not like measuring the plume from, say, a power plant."

Pennsylvania DEP Settles Pipeline Case

"This penalty is the result of the department's commitment to operator compliance and aggressive enforcement to ensure Pennsylvania's water resources are protected," said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

Senate Hearing Looks at Shark Research

"Sharks and the scientists who study them have led us to improvements in aerodynamics, renewable energy, electrical sensors, and health and medical research. Innovative shark research can benefit marine ecosystems and continue to raise public awareness about these important species," said committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D.