US Military Bases Leak PFAS into Drinking Water

US Military Bases Leak PFAS into Drinking Water

A recent report from the Department of Defense shows local drinking water near 245 US military bases is at risk due to leaks of PFAS, but didn't give all the details about which areas are hit hardest or how bad the pollution is. Scott Faber from the Environmental Working Group said the report's vagueness is a big concern. As you know, PFAS can cause health problems and often comes from things like firefighting foam used at these bases during training exercises and the occasional emergencies. Right now, the defense department is supplying clean water to 53 affected communities. But, if (more like when) safety standards tighten, a lot more areas might need help.

Lessons in Water Treatment from Ancient Maya

The ancient Mayans, who thrived about 4,000 years ago in Central America, had a smart approach to water treatment, and a new study thinks we could borrow a few of their tricks. These early innovators built reservoirs near their big cities and used a mix of plants and special sands, like quartz and volcanic zeolite, to naturally purify their water. These natural filters not only cleared the water but also removed impurities and harmful microbes. To top it off, they planted cattails and reeds which further clarified the water and sucked up extra nutrients. Prof. Lisa Lucero from the University of Illinois believes that blending this age-old wisdom with our modern techniques could lead to affordable and eco-friendly water treatment solutions.

Big Farm Plans Stir Water Quality Concerns in Wisconsin

Water quality worries are on the rise in western Wisconsin where locals are raising eyebrows at plans for a big hog farm, a dairy farm expansion, and a biogas plant backed by a company tied to Shell. The main concern? Contaminated drinking water. Recent numbers show more and more wells are getting hit with high nitrate levels, which isn't good news for folks or fish. While many farmers are doing their bit to keep water clean, these large-scale projects are causing a stir, especially with past issues like big manure spills and nutrient-loaded waste messing up local rivers and streams.

Private Wells in MA: The Push for Clearer Safety Rules

In Massachusetts, if you get your water from the town, you know it's regularly checked. But if you're one of the 500,000 folks using a private well, there's no guarantee. Take Mary Brolin from Boxborough– she had no clue her well had bad stuff (i.e. PFAS) until she joined a state testing program after 22 years. Right now, each town has its own rules for wells, and they're all over the place. Some people want to change that and make rules more like the ones for septic systems and there's a bill that might help sort this out and make sure all private wells are safe. That said, getting your well tested isn't cheap, running about $250, and fixing any issues can cost up to $4,000.

The Price of Dirty Water

Woman-owned BET Water Treatment dropped a recent article on the hidden costs of dirty water and, no surprise, sipping on sketchy water can hit your health and pocket with unexpected doctor visits and meds. And it doesn’t stop there– BET claims that mineral-packed hard water is a secret enemy, stealthily wreaking havoc on appliances, from washing machines to water heaters. But BET points to the light at the end of the tunnel: an upfront investment in a water treatment system, something we all stand by and know the absolute importance of.

What else is happening:

• EPA withdraws cyber audit requirement for water systems

• State-level and Republican-authored PFAS bill up for Senate vote in Wisconsin