drinking water

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    Most Americans Are Oblivious to ‘Forever Chemicals’ and Their Risks, Survey Finds

    Most Americans Are Oblivious to ‘Forever Chemicals’ and Their Risks, Survey Finds

    “Nonstick,” “waterproof” and “stain-resistant” are all commonplace terms that are self-explanatory. But the “forever chemicals” behind the coatings that give products the ability to resist grease, water and oil are not so well-known, it turns out. A new study conducted by AgriLife scientists at Texas A&M University is the first generalized survey in the United […]

    California Orders Bottled Water Company to Stop Drawing From Natural Springs Needed for Wildlife Habitat and Wildfire Protection

    California Orders Bottled Water Company to Stop Drawing From Natural Springs Needed for Wildlife Habitat and Wildfire Protection

    The California State Water Resources Control Board has ordered Arrowhead bottled water’s parent company BlueTriton to significantly reduce the amount of water it takes from natural springs in the San Bernardino National Forest. The company has been drawing water from the Strawberry Creek watershed, which provides protection from wildfires and serves as an important wildlife […]

    Water Harvesting 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Water Harvesting 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Quick Key Facts What Is Water Harvesting? Water harvesting involves the harvesting of rainwater, or water from the atmosphere through systems that involve collecting it for drinking and irrigation.  Rainwater harvesting is thousands of years old, and on a smaller practical scale, rainwater is a good way to conserve water for later use, particularly during […]

    Drinking Water for 26 Million Americans Contaminated With Dangerous Levels of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals,’ New EPA Data Says

    Drinking Water for 26 Million Americans Contaminated With Dangerous Levels of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals,’ New EPA Data Says

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new data that shows the drinking water consumed by 26 million Americans across the country is contaminated with dangerous levels of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals.” PFAS are a group of almost 15,000 synthetic chemicals that have become ubiquitous in the environment after having […]

    Nearly Half of U.S. Drinking Water Contains PFAS: USGS Study

    Nearly Half of U.S. Drinking Water Contains PFAS: USGS Study

    A new report from the U.S. Geological Survey has found that at least 45% of tap water in the country contains PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. The study is the first to test for PFAS broadly across the country in both regulated public drinking water and private wells. USGS tested for 32 types […]

    3M to Pay $10.3 Billion to Settle Water Pollution Suit Over PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

    3M to Pay $10.3 Billion to Settle Water Pollution Suit Over PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

    Multinational chemical company 3M has reached a $10.3 billion settlement with multiple public water systems in the U.S. over water pollution claims tied to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals.” According to the company, settlement funds will be distributed to affected cities and towns to test for contamination from PFAS and to treat their […]

    U.S. States Agree on ‘Historic’ Water Sharing Deal to Prevent Colorado River From Drying Up

    U.S. States Agree on ‘Historic’ Water Sharing Deal to Prevent Colorado River From Drying Up

    Following months of talks concerning the severe drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin, the U.S. Department of the Interior has announced that representatives from seven Colorado River Basin states have agreed to the submission of a proposal by representatives of three Lower River Basin states — California, Nevada and Arizona — to take billions […]