Adventures in Water System Consolidation Last week, I gave a talk at the Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWoW) Fall Conference in Yakima, Washington, on water system consolidation. I spent some time on the nuts and bolts, but more on … Continue reading “You might want to move your wells”
A PFAS Diary It’s been a minute since we did a PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or “Forever Chemicals”) in drinking water roundup. If you’d like to start at the beginning of the PFAS saga, you can find all my … Continue reading Deference
I’d just like to say thank you to the board and members of Whidbey Island Water Systems Association for presenting me with this award at the symposium on June 29th. It has been my pleasure to serve on the board … Continue reading Thank you!
https://tconnor.substack.com/p/fridays-postcard-and-the-spokane Finally…Eighty-three months have passed since PFAS “forever chemicals” were detected in groundwater at Spokane International Airport (SIA). On this timeline—against the backdrop of a years-long cover-up and the airport’s ‘get-off-my-lawn’ blame-shifting —today is significant. For the first time, SIA representatives are meeting with state Department of Ecology officials to begin implementing a cleanup plan for the notorious PFAS water pollution, a task that will likely extend well beyond the nine square miles encompassed by the airport’s boundaries. Continue reading Spokane airport (finally) hands its shoes to state regulators
In honor of Drinking Water Week. Thanks to Nikki Guillot of ODW. Continue reading ‘I Water That Way,’ new music video from the Splashstreet Boys
In May 2024, we began the adjudication process in Whatcom County Superior Court and notified all involved water users. In the months after the case begins, all water users will need to file a claim describing their water use, so the court can inventory all legal water rights in order. Nooksack – Washington State Department of Ecology Continue reading Nooksack – Washington State Department of Ecology
‘Not a finish line’: For water providers, new PFAS rule is first step | HeraldNet.com The EPA’s new rule only applies to water suppliers that serve 15 or more residents, known as “Group A” water systems. At least 1 million Washington residents have private wells or use smaller water suppliers, called “Group B” systems. The Safe Drinking Water Act doesn’t protect these wells, some of which are near Harrington Lagoon. Those wells also likely have PFAS contamination, Lovie said. “They’re not eligible for any of the loans or grants that Group A water systems can get to take care of … Continue reading ‘Not a finish line’: For water providers, new PFAS rule is first step
Panoche official accused of epic California water heist – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) “They told me they were investigating my boss for water theft, and they wanted to know if I wanted to go to federal prison with him,” Zavala said in his testimony. Panoche official accused of epic California water heist – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com) Continue reading Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood
Years after the emergency, the Michigan city is yet to replace all lead pipes and affected families are still awaiting justice https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/25/flint-michigan-water-crisis Continue reading Flint residents grapple with water crisis a decade later: ‘If we had the energy left, we’d cry’
Coupeville will look at ways to reuse treated wastewater and reduce nutrients in the effluent. Coupeville to study reuse of water | Whidbey News-Times (whidbeynewstimes.com) The Town of Coupeville will soon begin to look at ways to reuse treated wastewater while continuing to identify solutions to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into Puget Sound. According to Public Works Director Joe Grogan, water is the most important resource on Whidbey Island, and its availability is increasingly at risk due to climate change and a growing population. “Water will be more valuable to the entire community,” Grogan said. “Instead of discharging … Continue reading Coupeville to study reuse of water