water quality
Newsletter
Credit: State Farm/Flickr
Wildfires threaten drinking water with contamination risks
As wildfires rage, the aftermath poses a hidden threat to clean water supplies, contaminating reservoirs and water systems for months after the flames are extinguished.
In short:
- Wildfires can introduce cancer-causing substances into water supplies, affecting millions in high-risk areas.
- Burned vegetation and ash prevent water absorption, leading to flash floods and contamination.
- High ambient heat can compromise PVC water lines, unfurling plastic polymers and releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the water supply.
Key quote:
"We’re destabilizing [water] systems and we don’t even know in what way and how."
— Newsha Ajami, chief strategic development officer, Lawrence Berkeley National Labs.
Why this matters:
As the flames consume everything in their path, they release a cocktail of chemicals and heavy metals from burned structures, vegetation, and soil. These toxics seep into waterways and reservoirs, turning our taps into potential health hazards. Read more: US lead pipe replacements stoke concerns about plastic and environmental injustice.
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Credit: Sherwood411/Flickr
A portrait of pollution around Canada’s busiest port
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation is pushing for stricter regulations to protect Burrard Inlet from industrial pollution, as a leaked video highlights the challenges of enforcement.
In short:
- Toxic waste, sewage, and industrial chemicals pollute Burrard Inlet, making shellfish unsafe to eat and limiting recreational use.
- The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has co-developed new water quality standards with the B.C. government to restore the inlet and allow safe seafood harvesting.
- A leaked video of a coal spill at Neptune Terminals raises concerns about unreported spills and ongoing contamination.
Key quote:
“The establishment of these water quality objectives, using this more risk-based approach that recognizes coastal Indigenous lifeways, I think that’s already a really exciting and important step.”
— Amanda Giang, assistant professor in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia
Why this matters:
Addressing the severe pollution in Burrard Inlet is important for public health and the environment, reflecting the conflicting industrial pollution and Indigenous rights. The successful implementation of new water quality standards could serve as a model for other polluted waterways. Read more: “Stop hurting us:” Protestors plead for their health outside a Pittsburgh gathering of coal and steel execs.
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Credit: catolla/BigStock Photo ID: 40811500
Alaskan rivers turning orange due to climate change
Climate change is causing Alaska’s rivers to turn orange, posing serious risks to the state's ecosystems and rural communities.
In short:
- Melting permafrost is releasing sulfide minerals into rivers, causing a chemical reaction that turns the water orange.
- These changes threaten aquatic health and could impact rural communities dependent on subsistence fishing.
- Researchers identified 75 affected rivers, noting high metal content and acidity in the water.
Key quote:
“It’s really disturbing to see this kind of rapid change associated with climate change. It’s a call to action for the entire state.”
— Tim Bristol, executive director of Salmon State
Why this matters:
The phenomenon highlights the broader impacts of climate change on vital natural resources. This could disrupt the livelihoods of rural Alaskan communities and the state's significant fishing industry, heightening the urgency for climate action.
Related: The planet is losing free-flowing rivers. This is a problem.
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Credit: Waterkeeper Alliance Inc./Flickr
Illinois faces challenges in addressing coal ash contamination
Despite Illinois passing a law five years ago to manage coal ash contamination, progress has stalled, leaving environmental advocates concerned.
In short:
- In 2019, Illinois passed a law to regulate coal ash and required plant operators to submit plans to clean up or shut down.
- Despite finalized rules, permits for the coal ash pits in Waukegan have yet to be approved, delaying remediation.
- Federal rules have intensified scrutiny of coal ash, aiming to reduce its environmental impact and safeguard communities.
Key quote:
“When it comes to the implementation of these rules, it’s 2024 and we don’t have permits yet. And I don’t think anyone was expecting that.”
— Celeste Flores, co-chair of Clean Power Lake County
Why this matters:
Coal ash contains hazardous substances that can leach into groundwater, posing serious health risks. The prolonged delay in issuing permits for cleanup leaves communities exposed to potential pollution, heightening the urgency for regulatory action. Read more: Former coal plant near Pittsburgh is poisoning groundwater.
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Credit: darkday/Flickr
States navigate wetland protections in wake of Supreme Court decision
Following a Supreme Court ruling that removed federal protections for many wetlands, states are now divided on how to respond, with some enhancing protections and others rolling them back.
In short:
- The ruling has led to a varied response among states, with blue states like Illinois seeking to bolster wetland protections, while red states, including Indiana, are reducing safeguards.
- The absence of federal oversight leaves over half of the nation's wetlands vulnerable, impacting water quality and flood management.
- States without prior regulations or those rolling back existing ones face criticism for undermining environmental protections and public health.
Key quote:
"It creates a checkered landscape in terms of water quality."
— Marla Stelk, executive director of the National Association of Wetland Managers
Why this matters:
A patchwork approach to wetlands protections in the absence of a coherent federal policy tied to the Clean Water Act poses risks to water quality and public health. Read more on the Trump administration's attack on water protections: Derrick Z. Jackson: EPA’s new water rule is a mockery of science and the Clean Water Act.
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Credit: South Florida Water Management District/Flickr
Court drama disrupts a key environmental alliance in Florida
A legal battle between the Everglades Foundation and a former scientist has sparked controversy, highlighting a clash over environmental policy and personal integrity.
In short:
- The Everglades Foundation's lawsuit against former scientist Tom Van Lent has caused division within one of the nation's leading environmental coalitions.
- Allegations of "trade secrets" theft and data destruction by Van Lent have led to legal consequences, including bankruptcy and potential jail time.
- This dispute has raised concerns about the impact of internal conflicts on the broader effort to restore the Everglades, a critical environmental project.
Key quote:
“A 2022 employment matter does not impact those of us who are mission-focused on restoration and the environment. The Everglades is the priority.”
— Jacquie Weisblum, Everglades Foundation’s VP of communications
Why this matters:
This conflict brings to light the challenges of maintaining unity among allies in the fight for environmental causes, especially when personal and political agendas may interfere with collaborative efforts for the greater good. How did we get here? Together, we make mud: Environmental politics at the start of a new decade.
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Credit: Christian Ostrosky/Flickr
Argentina's wetlands under threat from new development projects
In Argentina's Paraná delta, known as "Earth's fourth lung," the push for luxury real estate threatens the region's diverse ecosystems and local communities, with private interests prioritizing spas and helipads over environmental and social health.
In short:
- The Paraná delta, a vital environmental and biological reservoir, faces severe threats from overdevelopment, including habitat destruction and pollution.
- Real estate developers are displacing local communities and altering the landscape with luxury homes and gated communities, impacting traditional livelihoods.
- Efforts to protect these wetlands are hampered by stalled legislation in Congress, reflecting a broader undervaluing of wetlands by society and political interests.
Key quote:
"We are the fourth lung of the world. Our delta gives oxygen to the planet, but today, they are damaging it terribly."
— Juan Carlos García, islander and descendant of the Indigenous Guaraní people
Why this matters:
The ongoing conflict in the Paraná delta serves as a microcosm of global environmental challenges, underscoring the need for sustainable development practices that consider health outcomes and preserve ecological integrity. We are reminded once again that in the battle for environmental conservation, "victories" are seldom permanent and forever subject to the politics of the moment.
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