drinking water

New research shows that persistently pumping groundwater has shifted Earth's axis. The reason is that we're moving all that water mass from under the continents to the oceans. Most groundwater ends up in our oceans and raised sea levels by 6.24 mm from 1993-2010. Loading Something is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite…

To some people, all—or at least most—drinking water tastes the same. Others have a more discerning palette, can can taste differences in tap water outside of their local area. There are several reasons for the varying flavor profiles, including the water’s mineral content, as well as its quality.In a report published on June 30, 2023,…

Chemicals that don’t break down easily in the environment have made their way into most of our bodies (whether we know it or not) and are present in about 45% of the country’s water supply, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey. The health effects of these chemicals, called PFAS or “forever…

Nineteen people fell ill with a diarrheal disease in Montana last year after drinking untreated water many believed to be from a natural spring but was, in fact, just creek drainage brimming with pathogenic bacteria. One person was hospitalized in the outbreak, which ended only after authorities diverted the water source, local health officials reported…

Enlarge / The EPA headquarters in Washington, DC. On Tuesday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it had started the process that will see drinking water regulations place severe limits on the levels of several members of the PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemical family. PFAS are widely used but have been associated with a…

PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are widespread, hazardous to human health, and don't break down. The US Environmental Protection Agency is taking the first steps toward federal regulation of PFAS. Here's what you should know about PFAS, how they harm health, how you're exposed, and what to do. Loading Something is loading. Thanks for signing up!…

The Mississippi River is at record low levels, stranding barges and allowing sea water to move in with no end in sight. The US Army Corps of Engineers is emergency dredging to keep the channel open to supply barges. USACE is also building an underwater barrier in Louisiana to keep the sea out of drinking…

Hazardous "forever chemicals" called PFAS are contaminating drinking water, food, and air. It may be impossible to completely avoid PFAS, but there are a few simple ways to reduce your exposure. Eating at home, ditching nonstick pans and unnecessary carpets, and filtering your water can help. Loading Something is loading. Hazardous, long-lasting "forever chemicals" are…

Late in 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a long-term project that aimed to come to grips with contamination by a class of chemicals called PFAS, for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. Sometimes termed "forever chemicals," these compounds don't naturally degrade at an appreciable rate, and they show up in everything from food packaging to drinking water. Lab…

Photo: pkajak201 (Shutterstock)California is currently in the middle of a megadrought, but droughts can happen in a variety of places and to a number of different degrees. Water conservation is something you should practice now, before a drought hits, not just once one arrives. Here’s what to do leading up to and during a drought.What is a…