Water
White House looks to safeguard groundwater supplies as aquifers decline nationwide
Nationwide, overconsumption is depleting aquifers that supply communities with fresh water. In some areas, fertilizers used in farming or chemicals used in industry or mining are contaminating the underground reservoirs.
Billions in US funding boosts lithium mining, stressing water supplies
The energy transition is driving demand for batteries; funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal programs is helping to fill it.
In an era of dam removal, California is building more
Project boosters claim the dams will be the most environmentally focused dams in California’s history, with water earmarked for environmental purposes and minimum flow requirements for the Sacramento River.
The sweeping impact of the Supreme Court’s Chevron reversal
Repealing the 40-year-old doctrine throws laws on climate, conservation, health, technology and more into doubt.
This city in the West made itself drought-proof. Then its dam started leaking.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, and cities across the West rely on fragile water sources—and aging infrastructure.
Lead water pipes created a health disaster in Flint, but their replacements carry hidden costs
COMMENTARY | Durability and the risk of chemicals being released when pipes heat up are just some of the concerns about plastic pipes.
Water conservation standards are crucial to addressing future challenges
COMMENTARY | When cities follow water-efficient building standards, they insulate their communities and lay the foundation for providing clean water services to growing populations.
More than 70% of surveyed water systems failed to meet EPA cyber standards
The agency says it will take certain enforcement actions in cases where there is imminent danger from a cyberthreat against water infrastructure.
This Utah county will buy your lawn to save water
Would you ditch your grass for less-thirsty plants? In a place where every drop of water counts, a little cash compels residents to say yes.
After Supreme Court decision left wetlands unprotected, Colorado steps in
Lawmakers crafted new rules to protect and restore wetlands and streams left vulnerable following a decision by the high court that scaled back the types of places subject to the Clean Water Act.
The surging demand for data is guzzling Virginia’s water
The commonwealth is home to the data center capital of the world. Can it handle AI's thirst?
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A water crisis in Mississippi turns into a fight against privatization
Thanks to a federal judge, residents of Jackson will have a say in how the city resolves its yearslong water crisis.
EPA issues first-ever drinking water standards for ‘forever chemicals’
The Biden administration also announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding to help public water utilities implement PFAS testing and treatment.
Fluoride in public water has slashed tooth decay, but some states may end mandates
Public health experts warn that anti-fluoridation legislation is buoyed by misinformation and junk science.
WIC, rental assistance get funding boost in newly unveiled spending bills
But the bipartisan proposals for six bills would cut funding to housing and transit programs.
EPA expands water program to help more disadvantaged communities apply for grants
Many communities lack the resources necessary to conduct the technical assessments needed to win federal grants. The EPA wants to help.
Who should be in charge of protecting our water systems from cyber threats?
Federal officials don’t agree. Recent hacks on water systems exposed their vulnerabilities. But while some want the EPA to play a stronger role, others emphasized that local systems are best suited to defend themselves.
Groundwater levels are falling worldwide — but there are solutions
New research shows how to protect the aquifers that hold most of the world’s fresh water.
The cost of freeing drinking water from ‘forever chemicals’
The EPA is set to limit PFAS in drinking water to barely detectable levels. Can water utilities meet the standard?
Innovative water treatment tech could help remove forever chemicals
The Tampa Water Department is exploring suspended ion exchange technology as a way to address PFAS contamination to meet new federal standards.
Should the EPA let Chicago have 40 years to remove lead pipes?
Some cities with a high number of lead pipes would be given more than the 10 years set by the EPA to replace them. The exception in the proposed rule is drawing criticism from residents and environmentalists.
