public health
Credit: Luis Quintana Barney/Flickr
Bogotá faces water rationing
Water rationing in Bogotá shows how climate disruptions are forcing cities to adapt, testing collective resilience in the face of scarce resources.
In short:
- Bogotá, Colombia, has implemented water rationing due to a prolonged drought driven by climate change, deforestation, and intensified El Niño weather patterns.
- Residents have adapted by conserving water, storing supplies and engaging in community networks to navigate shortages.
- Officials argue these shared sacrifices not only conserve resources but also build collective awareness of the need for long-term adaptation strategies.
Key quote:
“The reality is there isn’t enough of this very basic resource. The more people respect where the water comes from, the more likely they are to make little changes in their lives to conserve it.”
— Jhoan Sebastián Mora Pachón, trail manager, El Acueducto
Why this matters:
Bogotá’s water rationing is a warning shot for a warming planet where water shortages are feeling increasingly, and uncomfortably familiar—lessons learned here could resonate everywhere from Phoenix to Cape Town. Critics call it a Band-Aid on a gaping wound, with deeper issues like unchecked urban growth and mismanaged natural resources still in play. Read more: Protecting Indigenous children means protecting water.
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Newsletter
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Petrochemical plants send millions of pounds of pollutants into waterways each year: Report
“This is not normal.”
Nearly 70 petrochemical companies across the nation, including 30 in Texas, are sending millions of pounds of pollutants into waterways each year due to weak or nonexistent regulations, according to a report published by the watchdog group Environmental Integrity Project.
The report analyzed wastewater discharges from petrochemical companies that produce plastics across the U.S., finding that a majority of the facilities had violated Clean Water Act permits and few were punished. In addition, only a few states are regulating some of the hazardous chemicals or substances of concern, and there are currently no limits set from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for these contaminants in effluent water guidelines for the plastics industry.
In the past 30 years, plastic production at petrochemical facilities has skyrocketed. The EPA estimates that plastic production in 1990 was at 17,130 tons, and by 2018 it had doubled, reaching 35,680 tons. Producing these plastics results in industrial wastewater discharges, some of which contain pollutants unregulated by federal wastewater guidelines. If the pollutant does have limits, they have been set by individual states.
The report found the following pollutants:
- Dioxins, recognized as one of the most toxic classes of compounds by the World Health Organization, can be a byproduct of producing plastics like poly-vinyl chloride, or PVC. Out of the 17 facilities that produce PVC, only three have site limits set by states.
- 1,4 dioxane, classified as a potential carcinogen, only had limits set at two facilities.
- An estimated 9.9 million pounds of nitrogen and 1.9 million pounds of phosphorus (known as nutrient pollution when combined) enter waterways from these plants annually, and can cause toxic algal blooms and fish-killing low-oxygen zones. Only one facility had limits for phosphorus pollution and none had total nitrogen limits.
- Plastic pellets, known as nurdles, are entering waterways in 27 states.
- Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are not currently considered in wastewater samples for petrochemical plant permit applications.
A majority of the facilities have poor compliance records. Out of the 70 facilities, 83% had violated the Clean Water Act at least once in the last three years (58 facilities violated permits, yet only 8 were penalized). Nearly 40% of the facilities were operating on water pollution control permits that are outdated, “but have been administratively continued by state agencies,” according to the report.
Outdated Clean Water Act regulations
The Clean Water Act, issued by the EPA in 1972, has historically been enforced through effluent water guidelines. The petrochemical facilities in the report are regulated under a category of guidelines for organic chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers.
“The (plastics) industry has experienced significant, rapid growth in recent decades and is continuing to grow,” lead author of the report and research director at the Environmental Integrity Project, Kira Dunham, told EHN. “But…wastewater discharges are being regulated by standards from over 30 years ago.”
This category of guidelines Dunham mentions has not been updated by the EPA since 1993, despite requirements for the agency to “periodically” update guidelines in accordance with technological updates for pollution control.Texas petrochemical pollution
With 17 of the 30 facilities in Texas, the Houston area — known as the petrochemical capital of the U.S. — is the number one exporter of petrochemicals in the nation.
Nearly one-third of these Texas facilities discharge wastewater into the Houston Ship Channel. Earlier this year, EHN investigated community member concerns about wastewater contamination potentially entering dredge material removed from the channel. Independent analysis from Healthy Port Communities, a collaborative of Houston-based environmental groups, noted high levels of dioxins in the soil surrounding dredge material.
“Some of the places touched on in the (Environmental Integrity Project’s) report might have one major facility that has this… pattern of discharging pollutants into waterways,” Kristen Schlemmer, senior legal director of Houston- based water justice group Bayou City Waterkeeper, told EHN. “I don't want to discount that … but it at least makes it clear who you can focus on to address the problem. Whereas in Houston, we have so many different facilities that are polluting into our waterways, that it often just makes it seem like that's normal, and that's just the way things are going to be.”
Schlemmer added that these concerns for pollution related to wastewater discharges are heightened by disasters, like this year’s derecho storm and Hurricane Beryl, in which water grows contaminated across large portions of the region. Beyond climate disasters, the Houston region is prone to chemical disasters and the state averages about one chemical release a week based on 2023 data.
“I'm hoping through this work to show that this is not normal, and (to) raise the bar in terms of what our expectations are for the facilities that live in our backyards,” Schlemmer said. “If they're not going to comply with the law …I want them to … know that they're going to be facing legal action, either from us or for government regulators.”
Earlier this year, the Environmental Integrity Project sued the EPA along with Bayou City Water Keeper, the Center for Biological Diversity and nearly 300 water justice groups in the Waterkeeper Alliance. In the original intent to sue, the group states that the EPA “has failed to perform its mandatory duty under (the Clean Water Act) ... to biennially submit state water quality reports and an analysis thereof … to Congress.”
Just last week, the EPA released its biannual preliminary plan for effluent limitations guidelines and the announcement states that the EPA plans to conduct new studies that will clarify the impact of discharges from certain industries on waterways. The plan is open for public comment here.
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Top Story
Credit: Douglas Fischer
Montana Supreme Court declares youth-led climate victory
Montana's Supreme Court has upheld a landmark ruling affirming young people's constitutional right to a "clean and healthful environment," striking down state laws that limited the review of greenhouse gas emissions and cementing the state's climate protections.
In short:
- The court ruled 6-1 that Montana's constitution guarantees a stable climate, supporting a group of 16 youth plaintiffs who argued that state support of fossil fuels violated their rights.
- The decision overturns laws restricting environmental reviews, with the court citing the "substantial" role of Montana's greenhouse gas emissions in harming local ecosystems and public health.
- Critics, including Montana’s Republican governor, argue the ruling oversteps judicial authority and could lead to costly legal and energy challenges.
Key quote:
“This ruling is a victory not just for us, but for every young person whose future is threatened by climate change.”
— Rikki Held, lead plaintiff
Why this matters:
This historic decision demonstrates the power of constitutional rights in combating climate change, showing how legal action can drive accountability. This ruling could be a lifeline for a generation already breathing in the costs of inaction.
Read more: Youth v. Montana — Young adults speak up, and watch the video below.
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Newsletter
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Funding bill includes $100B for disasters but leaves out conservation funds
Congress is set to vote on a stopgap funding bill that provides $100 billion in disaster relief but omits conservation funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
In short:
- The funding bill offers $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in assistance for farmers facing high costs and natural disasters.
- Roughly $14 billion in unspent conservation money from the Inflation Reduction Act was excluded, despite bipartisan support for its inclusion.
- Hard-line conservatives pressured House leadership to drop subsidies and conservation funding from the package.
Key quote:
“It’s almost like by leaving that [out], by not rolling it into the baseline, now it’s allowed to continue President [Joe] Biden’s New Green Deal.”
— Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.)
Why this matters:
The exclusion of conservation funding limits long-term investments in environmental initiatives. The $100 billion for disaster relief addresses immediate needs, but omitting conservation funds risks undermining climate resilience and sustainable agriculture efforts.
Related: FEMA faces potential funding shortfall amid increasing natural disasters
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Black communities forge a path to climate resilience
Across the U.S., Black-led environmental initiatives are tackling systemic neglect and creating sustainable, thriving communities, from urban gardens to climate-resilient neighborhoods.
In short:
- In Detroit, a Black-led co-op provides affordable, nutrient-rich food, supports local farms and empowers residents through community ownership.
- Memphis advocates shut down a polluting sterilization plant after decades of activism, demanding accountability and a green future for their community.
- In Louisiana, twin sisters blocked industrial development and reclaimed their ancestral plantation, challenging corporate pollution and systemic racial injustice.
Key quote:
“This was never just about one plant. It’s about justice, health and dignity for a majority-Black community standing up for what’s right.”
— KeShaun Pearson, environmental activist
Why this matters:
These efforts not only address immediate health concerns but also lay the groundwork for systemic change, proving that grassroots activism can shape a more equitable and sustainable future. These successes aren’t isolated victories. They’re part of a broader reckoning with climate’s unequal impacts—and a blueprint for solutions led by the communities most affected. Read more: Wellington Onyenwe on where toxicology, food and justice intersect.
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Credit: Leslie McLauthlin/Bigstock Photo ID: 47493265
British Columbia’s war on aspen is fueling wildfires
For decades, B.C.’s forestry industry has used glyphosate herbicides to kill aspen and other deciduous trees, prioritizing conifers for profit—a practice critics say intensifies wildfire risks and depletes ecosystems.
In short:
- Glyphosate spraying in B.C. forests targets aspen and other plants to prioritize conifer plantations, but this practice undermines biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
- Aspen, with its moisture-retaining properties, serves as a natural firebreak, reducing wildfire intensity, while conifers contribute to drier, more flammable landscapes.
- Critics, including ecologists, argue glyphosate spraying exacerbates fire risks, disrupts forest ecosystems, and harms species that rely on aspen for food and shelter.
Key quote:
“We’ve got to stop cutting down aspen, we’ve got to stop spraying aspen. Nature can heal itself, but we’ve got to get out of the way.”
— James Steidle, founder of Stop the Spray B.C.
Why this matters:
With wildfires becoming more severe due to climate change, preserving aspen forests could mitigate fire risks and promote healthier ecosystems. The B.C. NDP government pledged to phase out herbicide use in forestry, but critics say progress has been sluggish. Meanwhile, communities bear the brunt of bigger, hotter wildfires while biodiversity takes a backseat to profit. Read more: Glyphosate, explained.
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Credit: Corey Templeton/Flickr
Why most Americans still choose sprawl over walkable neighborhoods
While walkable neighborhoods promise cleaner air, vibrant communities, and less driving, a new study finds that most Americans still prefer the space and affordability of suburban sprawl.
In short:
- A study of U.S. metro areas highlights the benefits of "15-minute neighborhoods," where daily needs are within a short walk, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Despite these perks, suburban sprawl remains more popular due to lower costs, larger homes and perceptions of natural beauty—though sprawl harms the environment and public health.
- Experts point out that high housing costs in walkable areas reflect demand outpacing supply, calling for zoning reform and investment in transit-oriented development.
Key quote:
"Sprawl helps explain why North America has lost an estimated 3 billion birds in the past half-century."
— Reid Ewing, professor of urban planning at the University of Utah
Why this matters:
It’s easy to see the draw. Suburbs promise privacy and, for many, a slice of what feels like nature. But sprawl isn’t just tough on the planet—it’s a public health crisis in disguise. The solution? Zoning reforms and smarter investments in transit. Read more: Diesel trucks are causing environmental injustice across US cities.
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