Jan 08 Scientists find about a quarter million invisible microplastic particles in a liter of bottled water By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press Scientists long figured there were lots of these microscopic plastic pieces, but until researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities did their calculations they never knew how many or what kind. Continue reading
Dec 19 Drought-prone California approves new rules for turning wastewater directly into drinking water By Adam Beam, Associated Press It's a big step for a state that has struggled for decades to have a reliable source of drinking water for its more than 39 million residents. Continue reading
Jun 23 3M to pay $10.3 billion for settlement over contamination of water systems with ‘forever chemicals’ By John Flesher, Associated Press 3M is a leading maker of PFAS chemicals used widely in firefighting foams and many nonstick and grease-resistant consumer products. Continue reading
Jun 05 $1.18 billion deal reached over drinking water contamination by ‘forever chemicals’ By John Flesher, Associated Press DuPont de Nemours Inc., The Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc. said they would establish a fund to compensate water providers for contamination with the chemicals used widely in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products, as well as some firefighting foams. Continue reading
May 23 Firefighting foam contaminates public water system in Maine By Associated Press The foam used by firefighters who battled a deadly blaze at an apartment building in Waterville is presumed to contain PFAS chemicals, a group of compounds that are widespread, dangerous and expensive to remove from drinking water. Continue reading
Mar 26 Watch 6:21 What we know about toxic ‘forever chemicals’ and how to reduce our exposure By Ali Rogin, Andrew Corkery, Claire Mufson A class of toxic chemicals known as PFAS has made its way into food, soil, water and even most people’s blood in America. In March, the EPA proposed the first regulatory standard limiting the quantity of PFAS in drinking water. Continue watching
Mar 23 United Nations warns many millions die without clean water or sanitation By Michael Weissenstein, Associated Press A lack of drinking water and healthy sanitation infrastructure around the world is dire and getting worse, United Nations experts warned in a report issued Thursday. Continue reading
Mar 23 The steps you can take to use less water By Bella Isaacs-Thomas Everyone has a role to play when it comes to treating water like a crucial resource, the United Nations says as it convenes its first water conference in almost five decades. Continue reading
Mar 22 A quarter of the world does not have access to safe drinking water, new UN report says By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press The U.N. World Water Development Report 2023 came Tuesday on the eve of the first major U.N. conference on water in over 45 years. Continue reading
Mar 17 4 things to know about regulating ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water By Bella Isaacs-Thomas Experts say the move to reduce exposure to these “forever chemicals" would bolster public health across the nation. Continue reading