Category: Partners
‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’ | South Whidbey Record
‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’ | South Whidbey Record For as long as she can remember, Tamara Ross’ family hasn’t liked the taste of drinking water at Harrington Lagoon. So they’ve always brought bottled water to their vacation homes in the idyllic community east of Coupeville on Whidbey Island. The family has owned property there since 1955. They now have three homes right next to each other. “I love it,” said Ross, who goes there about once a month. “It’s our slice of heaven.” Continue reading ‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’ | South Whidbey Record
Arizona limits new construction in Phoenix area, citing shrinking water supply
Arizona has determined that there is not enough groundwater for all of the future housing construction that has already been approved in the Phoenix area, and will stop developers from building some new subdivisions, a sign of looming trouble in the West and other places where overuse, drought and climate change are straining water supplies.
The decision by state officials marks the beginning of the end to the explosive development that has made the Phoenix metropolitan region the fastest growing in the country. Continue reading Arizona limits new construction in Phoenix area, citing shrinking water supply
WA family filters water to keep out PFAS. Where do dirty filters go?
Jenna Vogel and her husband moved to East Selah, Yakima County, in fall 2021. Days after settling in, the Yakima Training Center shared a news release informing residents that a dozen homes in the area had concentrations of forever chemicals in their water that exceeded federal drinking water standards. Their house was among those affected. Continue reading WA family filters water to keep out PFAS. Where do dirty filters go?
Legal Action Required in Response to Kidde Fenwal Bankruptcy
https://mailchi.mp/8de6ba40a1a0/nrwas-rural-water-wire-for-3046664?e=b780b0ee8b DUNCAN, Okla. — Kidde Fenwal, a well-known manufacturer of fire protection and suppression systems, has recently filed for bankruptcy.Kidde Fenwal has been associated with the use and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), resulting in significant contamination to water supplies across the U.S. The potential liability and cost to clean up PFAS contamination will be substantial. Many water systems may have a legitimate claim against Kidde Fenwal for contributing to this situation. Continue reading Legal Action Required in Response to Kidde Fenwal Bankruptcy
Can I buy bottled water with food stamps?
As the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act celebrate their 50th anniversaries, they are failing rural Americans. Continue reading Can I buy bottled water with food stamps?
WIWSA Board Members honored for Drinking Water Week
Association vice-president and Town of Coupeville Public Works Director Joe Grogan received a Grace Under Pressure award, while Assocation director and former president John Lovie received a Lifetime Achievement award. Continue reading WIWSA Board Members honored for Drinking Water Week
Water agencies endorse Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act
Water agencies endorse Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act | Wastewater Digest (wwdmag.com) New legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate may help hold polluters accountable for PFAS cleanup costs under CERCLA — and the act is supported by prominent water … Continue reading Water agencies endorse Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act
Where did high levels of PFAS in San Juan Island water come from?
Where did high levels of PFAS in San Juan Island water come from? | The Seattle Times SAN JUAN ISLAND — Every night, before the Ross family sits down at the dinner table and shares their highs and lows — … Continue reading Where did high levels of PFAS in San Juan Island water come from?
Ecology Map of PFAS in Island County
The Washington State Department of Ecology has updated the What’s In My Neighborhood (wa.gov) map to include the PFAS in drinking water sites in Island County that meet Ecology’s criteria for further investigation and cleanup. Visiting the site and clicking … Continue reading Ecology Map of PFAS in Island County
PFAS Basics: A series of videos by Washington State Department of Health
Check out this great series by Claire Nitsche and Barb Morrissey at the Washington State Department of Health Continue reading PFAS Basics: A series of videos by Washington State Department of Health
CERCLA PFAS Enforcement Listening Sessions
Key takeaways:
EPA will focus enforcement efforts on federal facilities, including military bases, and manufacturers
EPA proposes exempting from CERCLA liability State, tribal, or municipal airports, and tribal or local fire departments, in exchange for full cooperation with investigations.
The first is good news for residents near Ault Field and OLF whose water has been contaminated by firefighting activities at these Navy facilities, and the second for others whose water may have been contaminated by non-military firefighting activities. Continue reading CERCLA PFAS Enforcement Listening Sessions
March 2023 Member Meeting Presentations
Presentation from the March 2023 Quarterly Member Meeting. Downloadable PDF files with links. Continue reading March 2023 Member Meeting Presentations
2023 EPA Proposal to Regulate PFAS in
Drinking Water
What did EPA announce?
On March 14, 2023, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule for
regulating six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Over the next year, the
proposed rule will undergo an extensive public review and comment process. The final regulation may
differ from the proposal.
EPA proposed maximum contamination levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctane
sulfonate (PFOS) and four parts per trillion (ppt) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Continue reading 2023 EPA Proposal to Regulate PFAS in
Drinking Water
Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award
An avid volunteer involved in countless projects around Puget Sound recently claimed the 2023 Jan Holmes award.
South Whidbey resident John Lovie is this year’s recipient of the annual award, which is named in memory of Jan Holmes, a marine scientist, educator and champion for stewardship of the marine environment who passed away in 2011.
The Island County Marine Resources Committee, Sound Water Stewards and Washington State University Extension presented Lovie with the award a few days ahead of Sound Waters University, which is when the winner of the award is usually announced.
Continue reading Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award