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UK’s plan to crack down on damaging sewage spills

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mprovements.%0A%0AWith%20federal%20help%2C%20water%20providers%20that%20serve%20metropolitan%20areas%20should%20be%20able%20to%20spread%20out%20costs%20in%20a%20way%20%E2%80%9Cno%20one%20will%20notice%E2%80%9D%2C%20says%20Scott%20Faber%2C%20senior%20vice%20president%20of%20government%20affairs%20at%20the%20Environmental%20Working%20Group%2C%20an%20advocacy%20organisation%20that%20works%20to%20get%20toxic%20chemicals%20out%20of%20food%2C%20water%2C%20clothing%20and%20other%20items.%0A%0ASeveral%20states%20have%20already%20imposed%20PFAS%20drinking%20water%20limits.%20Officials%20in%20Michigan%2C%20which%20has%20the%20tightest%20standards%20of%20any%20state%2C%20say%20costs%20to%20remove%20PFAS%20were%20reasonable.%0A%0AErik%20Olson%20of%20the%20Natural%20Resources%20Defense%20Council%20calls%20the%20EPA%20proposal%20crucial%20to%20protect%20public%20health.%20%E2%80%9CSetting%20strong%20standards%20will%20help%20ensure%20the%20fundamental%20right%20of%20every%20family%20to%20have%20safe%20water%20flowing%20from%20their%20kitchen%20tap%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20says.%0A%0AAre%20forever%20chemicals%20regulated%20in%20the%20EU%3F%0A%0AIn%20February%2C%20the%20European%20Union%20began%20considering%20a%20ban%20on%20PFAS.%20%0A%0AGermany%2C%20the%20Netherlands%2C%20Norway%2C%20Sweden%20and%20Denmark%20-%20all%20of%20which%20have%20strong%20internal%20rules%20on%20PFAS%20-%20jointly%20submitted%20a%20proposal%20to%20have%20the%20toxic%20substances%20restricted%20throughout%20the%20bloc.%0A%0AIn%20a%20joint%20statement%2C%20the%20five%20countries%20said%20that%2C%20if%20passed%2C%20it%20would%20become%20%E2%80%9Cone%20of%20the%20largest%20bans%20on%20chemical%20substances%20ever%20in%20Europe%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AOnce%20the%20ban%20is%20in%20force%2C%20companies%20will%20be%20given%20between%2018%20months%20and%2012%20years%20to%20introduce%20alternatives%20to%20the%20more%20than%2010%2C000%20PFAS%20affected%2C%20depending%20on%20the%20availability%20of%20alternatives%2C%20according%20to%20the%20draft%20proposal.%20The%20phase%20out%20would%20continue%20through%20the%20late%202030s.

First national limits on toxic forever chemicals

The%20team%2C%20led%20by%20experts%20at%20Chalmers%20University%20of%20Technology%2C%20purified%20contaminated%20water%20using%20a%20cellulose-based%20material.%20This%20development%20can%20potentially%20combat%20the%20widespread%20problem%20of%20toxic%20dye%20discharge%20from%20the%20textile%20industry.%0A%0AMoreover%2C%20it%20could%20help%20developing%20countries%20with%20poor%20water%20treatment%20technologies.%20An%20article%2C%20%E2%80%98Cellulose%20Nanocrystals%20Derived%20from%20Microcrystalline%20Cellulose%20for%20Selective%20Removal%20of%20Janus%20Green%20Azo%20Dye%2C%E2%80%99%20was%20published%20in%C2%A0Industrial%20%26%20Engineering%20Chemistry%20Research%C2%A0to%20detail%20the%20advantages%20of%20this%20technology.%0A%0AMany%20people%20are%20living%20without%20access%20to%20clean%20water%0A%0AClean%20water%20is%20necessary%20for%20our%20health%20and%20living%20environment%3B%20however%2C%20it%20is%20far%20from%20accessible%20to%20everyone.%20The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO)%20estimates%20that%20over%20two%20billion%20people%20are%20forced%20to%20use%20contaminated%20water%20sources.%0A%0ABuilding%20upon%20the%20importance%20of%20clean%20water%20access%2C%20the%20Chalmers%20team%20focused%20on%20new%20uses%20for%20cellulose%20and%20wood-based%20products.%20The%20group%2C%20led%20by%20Gunnar%20Westman%2C%20Associate%20Professor%20of%20Organic%20Chemistry%20at%20Chalmers%2C%20developed%20technology%20that%20can%20easily%20remove%20water%20pollutants.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20have%20built%20up%20solid%20knowledge%20about%20cellulose%20nanocrystals%20%E2%80%93%20this%20is%20where%20the%20key%20to%20water%20purification%20lies.%20These%20tiny%20nanoparticles%20have%20an%20outstanding%20adsorption%20capacity%2C%20and%20researchers%20have%20now%20found%20a%20way%20to%20utilise%20these%20in%20contaminated%20water.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20taken%20a%20unique%20holistic%20approach%20to%20these%20cellulose%20nanocrystals%2C%20examining%20their%20properties%20and%20potential%20applications.%20We%20have%20now%20created%20a%20biobased%20material%2C%20a%20form%20of%20cellulose%20powder%20with%20excellent%20purification%20properties%20that%20we%20can%20adapt%20and%20modify%20depending%20on%20the%20types%20of%20pollutants%20to%20be%20removed%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Westman.%0A%0ABreaking%20down%20toxins%20with%20cellulose-based%20technology%0A%0AIn%20their%20study%2C%20the%20researchers%20showed%20how%C2%A0toxic%20chemicals%20can%20be%20filtered%20out%C2%A0of%20contaminated%20water%20using%20cellulose%20and%20wood-based%20materials.%20They%20conducted%20the%20research%20in%20collaboration%20with%20the%20Malaviya%20National%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20Jaipur%20in%20India%2C%20where%20dye%20pollutants%20in%20textile%20industry%20wastewater%20are%20a%20widespread%20problem.%0A%0AThe%20method%20does%20not%20require%20pressure%20or%20heat%2C%20and%20uses%20sunlight%20to%20catalyse%20the%20process.%20Westman%20explained%20that%20the%20technique%20can%20be%20likened%20to%20%E2%80%9Cpouring%20raspberry%20juice%20into%20a%20glass%20with%20grains%20of%20rice%2C%20which%20soak%20up%20the%20juice%20and%20make%20the%20rice%20transparent.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWestman%20continued%3A%20%E2%80%9CImagine%20a%20simple%20purification%20system%2C%20like%20a%20portable%20box%20connected%20to%20the%20sewage%20pipe.%20The%20pollutants%20are%20absorbed%20as%20the%20contaminated%20water%20passes%20through%20the%20cellulose%20powder%20filter%2C%20and%20the%20sunlight%20entering%20the%20treatment%20system%20causes%20them%20to%20break%20down%20quickly%20and%20efficiently.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20a%20cost-effective%20and%20simple%20system%20to%20set%20up%20and%20use%2C%20and%20we%20see%20that%20it%20could%20be%20of%20great%20benefit%20in%20countries%20that%20currently%20have%20poor%20or%20non-existent%20treatments%20for%20contaminated%20water.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ATesting%20the%20method%20in%20developing%20countries%3A%20Can%20it%20depollute%20contaminated%20water%3F%0A%0AIndia%20is%20a%20country%20with%20extensive%20textile%20production%2C%20meaning%20large%20amounts%20of%20dyes%20are%20released%20into%20lakes%2C%20rivers%2C%20and%20streams%20every%20year.%20Contaminated%20water%20contains%20dyes%20and%20heavy%20metals%20and%20can%20cause%20skin%20damage%20with%20direct%20contact%20and%20increase%20the%20risk%20of%20cancer%20and%20organ%20damage%20when%20they%20enter%20the%20food%20chain.%20Additionally%2C%20nature%20is%20affected%20in%20several%20ways%2C%20including%20impairing%20photosynthesis%20and%20plant%20growth.%0A%0ATherefore%2C%20the%20researchers%20decided%20to%20test%20their%20technology%20in%20India%2C%20as%20conducting%20field%20studies%20is%20an%20essential%20step%20in%20testing%20the%20method%E2%80%99s%20feasibility.%20So%20far%2C%20laboratory%20tests%20with%20industrial%20water%20have%20shown%20that%20more%20than%2080%25%20of%20the%20dye%20pollutants%20are%20removed%20with%20the%20new%20method.%20Westman%20sees%20good%20opportunities%20to%20increase%20the%20degree%20of%20purification%20further.%0A%0AHe%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9CGoing%20from%20discharging%20completely%20untreated%20water%20to%20removing%2080%25%20of%20the%20pollutants%20from%20contaminated%20water%20is%20a%20vast%20improvement%20and%20means%20significantly%20less%20destruction%20of%20nature%20and%20harm%20to%20humans.

Removing pollutants from contaminated water

Northwestern%20University%20engineers%20have%20developed%20a%20new%20sponge%20that%20can%20remove%20metals%E2%80%94including%20toxic%20heavy%20metals%20like%20lead%20and%20critical%20metals%20like%20cobalt%E2%80%94from%20contaminated%20water%2C%20leaving%20safe%2C%20drinkable%20water%20behind.%0A%0AIn%20proof-of-concept%20experiments%2C%20the%20researchers%20tested%20their%20new%20sponge%20on%20a%20highly%20contaminated%20sample%20of%20tap%20water%2C%20containing%20more%20than%201%20part%20per%20million%20of%20lead.%20With%20one%20use%2C%20the%20sponge%20filtered%20lead%20to%20below%20detectable%20levels.%0A%0AAfter%20using%20the%20sponge%2C%20researchers%20also%20were%20able%20to%20successfully%20recover%20metals%20and%20reuse%20the%20sponge%20for%20multiple%20cycles.%20The%20new%20sponge%20shows%20promise%20for%20future%20use%20as%20an%20inexpensive%2C%20easy-to-use%20tool%20in%20home%20water%20filters%20or%20large-scale%20environmental%20remediation%20efforts.%0A%0AThe%20study%20was%20published%20May%2010%20in%20the%20journal%20ACS%20ES%26T%20Water.%20The%20paper%20outlines%20the%20new%20research%20and%20sets%20design%20rules%20for%20optimizing%20similar%20platforms%20for%20removing%E2%80%94and%20recovering%E2%80%94other%20heavy-metal%20toxins%2C%20including%20cadmium%2C%20arsenic%2C%20cobalt%20and%20chromium.%0A%0A%22The%20presence%20of%20heavy%20metals%20in%20the%20water%20supply%20is%20an%20enormous%20public%20health%20challenge%20for%20the%20entire%20globe%2C%22%20said%20Northwestern's%20Vinayak%20Dravid%2C%20senior%20author%20of%20the%20study%20and%20Abraham%20Harris%20Professor%20of%20Materials%20Science%20and%20Engineering%20at%20Northwestern's%20McCormick%20School%20of%20Engineering%20and%20director%20of%20global%20initiatives%20at%20the%20International%20Institute%20for%20Nanotechnology.%20%22It%20is%20a%20gigaton%20problem%20that%20requires%20solutions%20that%20can%20be%20deployed%20easily%2C%20effectively%20and%20inexpensively.%20That's%20where%20our%20sponge%20comes%20in.%20It%20can%20remove%20the%20pollution%20and%20then%20be%20used%20again%20and%20again.%22%0A%0ASopping%20up%20spills%0AThe%20project%20builds%20on%20Dravid's%20previous%20work%20to%20develop%20highly%20porous%20sponges%20for%20various%20aspects%20of%20environmental%20remediation.%20In%20May%202020%2C%20his%20team%20unveiled%20a%20new%20sponge%20designed%20to%20clean%20up%20oil%20spills.%20The%20nanoparticle-coated%20sponge%2C%20which%20is%20now%20being%20commercialized%20by%20Northwestern%20spinoff%20MFNS%20Tech%2C%20offers%20a%20more%20efficient%2C%20economic%2C%20ecofriendly%20and%20reusable%20alternative%20to%20current%20approaches%20to%20oil%20spills.%0A%0ABut%20Dravid%20knew%20it%20wasn't%20enough.%0A%0A%22When%20there%20is%20an%20oil%20spill%2C%20you%20can%20remove%20the%20oil%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22But%20there%20also%20are%20toxic%20heavy%20metals%E2%80%94like%20mercury%2C%20cadmium%2C%20sulfur%20and%20lead%E2%80%94in%20those%20spills.%20So%2C%20even%20when%20you%20remove%20the%20oil%2C%20some%20of%20the%20other%20toxins%20might%20remain.%22%0A%0ARinse%20and%20repeat%0ATo%20tackle%20this%20aspect%20of%20the%20issue%2C%20Dravid's%20team%2C%20again%2C%20turned%20to%20sponges%20coated%20with%20an%20ultrathin%20layer%20of%20nanoparticles.%20After%20testing%20many%20different%20types%20of%20nanoparticles%2C%20the%20team%20found%20that%20a%20manganese-doped%20goethite%20coating%20worked%20best.%20Not%20only%20are%20manganese-doped%20goethite%20nanoparticles%20inexpensive%20to%20make%2C%20easily%20available%20and%20nontoxic%20to%20human%2C%20they%20also%20have%20the%20properties%20necessary%20to%20selectively%20remediate%20heavy%20metals.%0A%0A%22You%20want%20a%20material%20with%20a%20high%20surface%20area%2C%20so%20there's%20more%20room%20for%20the%20lead%20ions%20to%20stick%20to%20it%2C%22%20said%20Benjamin%20Shindel%2C%20a%20Ph.D.%20student%20in%20Dravid's%20lab%20and%20the%20paper's%20first%20author.%20%22These%20nanoparticles%20have%20high-surface%20areas%20and%20abundant%20reactive%20surface%20sites%20for%20adsorption%20and%20are%20stable%2C%20so%20they%20can%20be%20reused%20many%20times.%22%0A%0AThe%20team%20synthesized%20slurries%20of%20manganese-doped%20goethite%20nanoparticles%2C%20as%20well%20as%20several%20other%20compositions%20of%20nanoparticles%2C%20and%20coated%20commercially%20available%20cellulose%20sponges%20with%20these%20slurries.%20Then%2C%20they%20rinsed%20the%20coated%20sponges%20with%20water%20in%20order%20to%20wash%20away%20any%20loose%20particles.%20The%20final%20coatings%20measured%20just%20tens%20of%20nanometers%20in%20thickness.%0A%0AWhen%20submerged%20into%20contaminated%20water%2C%20the%20nanoparticle-coated%20sponge%20effectively%20sequestered%20lead%20ions.%20The%20U.S.%20Food%20and%20Drug%20Administration%20requires%20that%20bottled%20drinking%20water%20is%20below%205%20parts%20per%20billion%20of%20lead.%20In%20filtration%20trials%2C%20the%20sponge%20lowered%20the%20amount%20of%20lead%20to%20approximately%202%20parts%20per%20billion%2C%20making%20it%20safe%20to%20drink.%0A%0A%22We're%20really%20happy%20with%20that%2C%22%20Shindel%20said.%20%22Of%20course%2C%20this%20performance%20can%20vary%20based%20on%20several%20factors.%20For%20instance%2C%20if%20you%20have%20a%20large%20sponge%20in%20a%20tiny%20volume%20of%20water%2C%20it%20will%20perform%20better%20than%20a%20tiny%20sponge%20in%20a%20huge%20lake.%22%0A%0ARecovery%20bypasses%20mining%0AFrom%20there%2C%20the%20team%20rinsed%20the%20sponge%20with%20mildly%20acidified%20water%2C%20which%20Shindel%20likened%20to%20%22having%20the%20same%20acidity%20of%20lemonade.%22%20The%20acidic%20solution%20caused%20the%20sponge%20to%20release%20the%20lead%20ions%20and%20be%20ready%20for%20another%20use.%20Although%20the%20sponge's%20performance%20declined%20after%20the%20first%20use%2C%20it%20still%20recovered%20more%20than%2090%25%20of%20the%20ions%20during%20subsequent%20use%20cycles.%0A%0AThis%20ability%20to%20gather%20and%20then%20recover%20heavy%20metals%20is%20particularly%20valuable%20for%20removing%20rare%2C%20critical%20metals%2C%20such%20as%20cobalt%2C%20from%20water%20sources.%20A%20common%20ingredient%20in%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%20cobalt%20is%20energetically%20expensive%20to%20mine%20and%20accompanied%20by%20a%20laundry%20list%20of%20environmental%20and%20human%20costs.%0A%0AIf%20researchers%20could%20develop%20a%20sponge%20that%20selectively%20removes%20rare%20metals%2C%20including%20cobalt%2C%20from%20water%2C%20then%20those%20metals%20could%20be%20recycled%20into%20products%20like%20batteries.%0A%0A%22For%20renewable%20energy%20technologies%2C%20like%20batteries%20and%20fuel%20cells%2C%20there%20is%20a%20need%20for%20metal%20recovery%2C%22%20Dravid%20said.%20%22Otherwise%2C%20there%20is%20not%20enough%20cobalt%20in%20the%20world%20for%20the%20growing%20number%20of%20batteries.%20We%20must%20find%20ways%20to%20recover%20metals%20from%20very%20dilute%20solutions.%20Otherwise%2C%20it%20becomes%20poisonous%20and%20toxic%2C%20just%20sitting%20there%20in%20the%20water.%20We%20might%20as%20well%20make%20something%20valuable%20with%20it.%22%0A%0AStandardized%20scale%0AAs%20a%20part%20of%20the%20study%2C%20Dravid%20and%20his%20team%20set%20new%20design%20rules%20to%20help%20others%20develop%20tools%20to%20target%20particular%20metals%2C%20including%20cobalt.%20Specifically%2C%20they%20pinpointed%20which%20low-cost%20and%20nontoxic%20nanoparticles%20also%20have%20high-surface%20areas%20and%20affinities%20for%20sticking%20to%20metal%20ions.%20They%20studied%20the%20performance%20of%20coatings%20of%20manganese%2C%20iron%2C%20aluminum%20and%20zinc%20oxides%20on%20lead%20adsorption.%20Then%2C%20they%20established%20relationships%20between%20the%20structures%20of%20these%20nanoparticles%20and%20their%20adsorptive%20properties.%0A%0ACalled%20Nanomaterial%20Sponge%20Coatings%20for%20Heavy%20Metals%20(or%20%22Nano-SCHeMe%22)%2C%20the%20environmental%20remediation%20platform%20can%20help%20other%20researchers%20differentiate%20which%20nanomaterials%20are%20best%20suited%20for%20particular%20applications.%0A%0A%22I've%20read%20a%20lot%20of%20literature%20that%20compares%20different%20coatings%20and%20adsorbents%2C%22%20said%20Caroline%20Harms%2C%20an%20undergraduate%20student%20in%20Dravid's%20lab%20and%20paper%20co-author.%20%22There%20really%20is%20a%20lack%20of%20standardization%20in%20the%20field.%20By%20analyzing%20different%20types%20of%20nanoparticles%2C%20we%20developed%20a%20comparative%20scale%20that%20actually%20works%20for%20all%20of%20them.%20It%20could%20have%20a%20lot%20of%20implications%20in%20moving%20the%20field%20forward.%22%0A%0ADravid%20and%20his%20team%20imagine%20that%20their%20sponge%20could%20be%20used%20in%20commercial%20water%20filters%2C%20for%20environmental%20clean-up%20or%20as%20an%20added%20step%20in%20water%20reclamation%20and%20treatment%20facilities.%0A%0A%22This%20work%20may%20be%20pertinent%20to%20water%20quality%20issues%20both%20locally%20and%20globally%2C%22%20Shindel%20said.%20%22We%20want%20to%20see%20this%20out%20in%20the%20world%2C%20where%20it%20can%20make%20a%20real%20impact.%22

Reusable sponge removes lead from water

California%20regulators%20have%20unanimously%20voted%20in%20favour%20of%20allowing%20water%20agencies%20to%20recycle%20sewage%20water%20for%20drinking%20purposes.%0A%0AThe%20state%E2%80%99s%20Water%20Resources%20Control%20Board%20laid%20out%20the%20steps%20for%20how%20recycled%20wastewater%20will%20be%20treated%20before%20it%20is%20pumped%20into%20Californians%E2%80%99%20kitchen%20faucets.%20The%20board%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release%20that%20the%20decision%20to%20combat%20water%20scarcity%20would%20make%20California%20more%20resilient%20to%20hotter%20and%20drier%20conditions.%0A%0AThe%20process%20used%20to%20recycle%20the%20water%20is%20known%20as%20direct%20potable%20reuse%20and%20can%20produce%20results%20in%20a%20matter%20of%20hours.%20The%20many%20steps%20in%20the%20long%20process%20were%20outlined%20in%20detail%20in%20a%2063-page%20document.%0A%0AA%20report%20on%20the%20measure%20was%20initially%20submitted%20by%20a%20panel%20of%2012%20scientists%20and%20engineers%20in%202016%2C%20and%20the%20following%20year%20the%20board%20was%20tasked%20with%20establishing%20water%20recycling%20criteria%20for%20the%20implementation%20of%20the%20measure%20that%20was%20also%20protective%20of%20public%20health.%0A%0AThe%20vote%20on%20Tuesday%20comes%20months%20after%20the%20state%20required%20that%20the%20board%20approve%20the%20criteria%20before%2031%20December.%20The%20regulations%20are%20now%20headed%20to%20the%20Office%20of%20Administrative%20Law%2C%20which%20is%20expected%20to%20give%20final%20approval%20sometime%20next%20year%2C%20Cal%20Matters%20reports.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20board%2C%20the%20system%20is%20among%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20most%20advanced%20standards%20in%20the%20nation%20for%20treating%20wastewater%20to%20such%20an%20extent%20that%20the%20finished%20product%20meets%20or%20exceeds%20current%20drinking%20water%20standards.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AFor%20decades%20now%2C%20California%20has%20struggled%20to%20secure%20water%20supply%20for%20its%20more%20than%2039%20million%20residents.%20Record%20droughts%20in%20recent%20years%20have%20exacerbated%20that%20issue.%0A%0AThe%20new%20regulations%20signal%20a%20shift%20in%20public%20opinion%20on%20a%20subject%20that%20as%20recently%20as%20two%20decades%20ago%20prompted%20backlash.%0A%0AThat%E2%80%99s%20different%20from%20regular%20water%20treatment%20rules%2C%20which%20only%20require%20treatment%20for%20known%20pathogens.%20The%20treatment%20is%20so%20stringent%20it%20removes%20all%20of%20the%20minerals%20that%20make%20fresh%20drinking%20water%20taste%20good%20%E2%80%94%20meaning%20they%20have%20to%20be%20added%20back%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20process.%0A%0ARegulators%20said%20they%20hope%20the%20measure%20can%20help%20build%20a%20climate-resilient%20water%20source%20and%20reduce%20the%20sewage%20water%20released%20to%20bodies%20of%20water.%0A%0AThe%20vote%20does%20not%20require%20all%20water%20agencies%20to%20implement%20the%20system%2C%20but%20the%20agencies%20that%20do%20must%20treat%20the%20water%20for%20potential%20pathogens%20and%20viruses.%0A%0AIn%20San%20Jose%2C%20local%20officials%20have%20opened%20the%20Silicon%20Valley%20Advanced%20Water%20Purification%20Center%20for%20public%20tours%20%E2%80%9Cso%20that%20people%20can%20see%20that%20this%20is%20a%20very%20high-tech%20process%20that%20ensures%20the%20water%20is%20super%20clean%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kirsten%20Struve%2C%20assistant%20officer%20for%20the%20water%20supply%20division%20at%20the%20Santa%20Clara%20Valley%20Water%20District%2C%20told%20The%20Associated%20Press.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20newly%20adopted%20regulations%20comply%20with%20California%E2%80%99s%20Safe%20Drinking%20Water%20Act%2C%20which%20ensures%20that%20the%20water%20delivered%20by%20public%20water%20systems%20in%20California%20shall%20at%20all%20times%20be%20pure%2C%20wholesome%2C%20and%20safe%20to%20drink%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20board%20said.%0A%0APlans%20to%20implement%20direct%20potable%20reuse%20were%20first%20made%20public%20during%20the%20summer.%20The%20board%20said%20that%20it%20had%20gathered%20feedback%20from%20the%20public%20and%20adjusted%20the%20initial%20criteria%20based%20on%20that%20commentary.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20an%20exciting%20development%20in%20the%20state%E2%80%99s%20ongoing%20efforts%20to%20find%20innovative%20solutions%20to%20the%20challenges%20of%20extreme%20weather%20driven%20by%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Joaquin%20Esquivel%2C%20chair%20of%20the%20State%20Water%20Board%2C%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9COn%20top%20of%20helping%20us%20build%20drought-resilient%20water%20supplies%2C%20direct%20potable%20reuse%20offers%20energy%20savings%20and%20environmental%20benefits.%20And%20most%20importantly%2C%20these%20regulations%20ensure%20that%20the%20water%20produced%20is%20not%20only%20safe%2C%20but%20purer%20than%20many%20drinking%20water%20sources%20we%20now%20rely%20on.%E2%80%9D

California’s New Wastewater Treatment Rule

The%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20on%20Wednesday%20announced%20its%20first-ever%20drinking%20water%20standard%20to%20protect%20people%20against%20toxic%20%22forever%20chemicals%22%20found%20in%20many%20household%20and%20everyday%20items%2C%20and%20offered%20%241%20billion%20to%20states%20for%20public%20water%20system%20testing%2C%20the%20agency's%20first%20major%20move%20to%20curb%20the%20cancer-causing%20chemicals.%0A%0AThe%20final%20rule%20will%20affect%206%25%20and%2010%25%20of%20the%2066%2C000%20public%20drinking%20water%20systems%20in%20the%20United%20States%20and%20is%20projected%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20the%20group%20of%2015%2C000%20chemicals%20known%20as%20per-%20and%20polyfluoroalkyl%20substances%20(PFAS)%20for%20approximately%20100%20million%20people.%20According%20to%20the%20agency%2C%20it%20would%20avoid%20tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20deaths%20linked%20to%20PFAS.%0A%0ADubbed%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fpost%2Fregulations-of-forever-chemicalspfas--in-drinking-water-worldwide%2Flsk9yllv22mb3a%22%3E%22forever%20chemicals%22%20%3C%2Fa%3Ebecause%20they%20do%20not%20easily%20break%20down%20in%20the%20human%20body%20or%20environment%2C%20PFAS%20is%20found%20in%20hundreds%20of%20consumer%20and%20commercial%20products%2C%20including%20non-stick%20pans%2C%20cosmetics%2C%20firefighting%20foams%20and%20stain-resistant%20clothing.%0A%0A%22The%20first%20national%20drinking%20water%20standards%20for%20PFAS%20marks%20a%20significant%20step%20towards%20delivering%20on%20the%20Biden-Harris%20Administration%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20advancing%20environmental%20justice%2C%20protecting%20communities%2C%20and%20securing%20clean%20water%20for%20people%20across%20the%20country%2C%22%20said%20Brenda%20Mallory%2C%20chair%20of%20the%20White%20House%20Council%20on%20Environmental%20Quality%2C%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AExperts%20have%20predicted%20that%20releasing%20new%20regulations%20will%20spur%20more%20PFAS-related%20litigation.%20Last%20year%20alone%2C%20lawsuits%20accusing%20major%20chemical%20companies%20of%20polluting%20U.S.%20drinking%20water%20with%20toxic%20PFAS%20chemicals%20led%20to%20over%20%2411%20billion%20in%20settlements.%0A%0AA%20study%20released%20last%20year%20by%20the%20U.S.%20Geological%20Survey%20found%20that%20nearly%20half%20of%20U.S.%20tap%20water%20samples%20contain%20PFAS.%0A%0AThe%20EPA%20rule%20will%20limit%20five%20individual%20PFAS%20chemicals%3A%20PFOA%2C%20PFOS%2C%20PFNA%2C%20PFHxS%2C%20and%20HFPO-DA.%20All%20public%20water%20systems%20have%20three%20years%20to%20complete%20monitoring%20for%20these%20chemicals%20and%20must%20inform%20the%20public%20of%20the%20PFAS%20measured%20in%20their%20drinking%20water.%0A%0AIn%20cases%20where%20PFAS%20is%20found%20at%20levels%20that%20exceed%20the%20standards%2C%20the%20water%20systems%20must%20install%20systems%20to%20reduce%20PFAS%20in%20their%20drinking%20water%20within%20five%20years.

EPA restricts PFAS chemicals in drinking water

On%20Wednesday%2010%20April%2C%20MEPs%20approved%20new%20EU%20rules%20for%20the%20collection%2C%20treatment%20and%20discharge%20of%20urban%20wastewater.%0A%0AWith%20481%20votes%20in%20favour%2C%2079%20against%20and%2026%20abstentions%2C%20Parliament%20adopted%20the%20deal%20reached%20with%20the%20Council%20in%20January%202024%20on%20revising%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20water%20management%20and%20urban%20wastewater%20treatment%20standards%20to%20better%20protect%20public%20health%20and%20the%20environment.%0A%0ABy%202035%2C%20urban%20wastewater%20will%20undergo%20secondary%20treatment%20(i.e.%2C%20the%20removal%20of%20biodegradable%20organic%20matter)%20before%20it%20is%20discharged%20into%20the%20environment%2C%20in%20all%20agglomerations%20of%20the%20size%20of%201%2C000%20population%20equivalent%20(p.e.%2C%20standard%20measuring%20unit%20describing%20the%20average%20pollution%20released%20by%20one%20person%20per%20day)%20or%20more.%20By%202039%2C%20tertiary%20treatment%20(i.e.%20the%20removal%20of%20nitrogen%20and%20phosphorus)%20will%20be%20applied%20in%20all%20wastewater%20treatment%20plants%20covering%20150%2C000%20p.e.%20and%20above%2C%20and%20by%202045%20in%20those%20covering%2010.000%20p.e.%20and%20above.%20An%20additional%20treatment%20removing%20a%20broad%20spectrum%20of%20micro-pollutants%20('quaternary%20treatment')%20will%20be%20mandatory%20for%20all%20plants%20over%20150%2C000%20p.e.%20(and%20over%2010%2C000%20p.e.%20based%20on%20a%20risk%20assessment)%20by%202045.%0A%0AThe%20monitoring%20of%20various%20public%20health%20parameters%20(such%20as%20known%20viruses%20and%20emerging%20pathogens)%2C%20chemical%20pollutants%2C%20including%20so-called%20%E2%80%9Cforever%20chemicals%E2%80%9D%20(per-%20and%20polyfluoroalkyl%20substances%20or%20PFAS)%2C%20microplastics%20and%20antimicrobial%20resistance%20will%20be%20strictly%20monitored.%0A%0AThe%20law%20introduces%20extended%20producer%20responsibility%20(EPR)%20for%20medicinal%20products%20for%20human%20use%20and%20cosmetic%20products%2C%20to%20cover%20the%20costs%20of%20quaternary%20treatment%20(to%20remove%20micro-pollutants%20from%20urban%20wastewater).%20At%20least%2080%25%20of%20the%20costs%20will%20be%20covered%20by%20producers%2C%20complemented%20by%20national%20financing.%0A%0AEU%20countries%20will%20be%20required%20to%20promote%20the%20reuse%20of%20treated%20wastewater%20from%20all%20urban%20wastewater%20treatment%20plants%20where%20appropriate%2C%20especially%20in%20water-stressed%20areas.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EQuote%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ARapporteur%20Nils%20Torvalds%20(Renew%2C%20FI)%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20legislation%20will%20significantly%20improve%20water%20management%20and%20wastewater%20treatment%20standards%20in%20Europe%2C%20especially%20with%20new%20rules%20on%20removing%20micro-pollutants%20coming%20from%20medicines%20and%20personal%20care%20products.%20We%20are%20making%20sure%20that%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20rules%20on%20the%20affordability%20of%20medicines%20will%20not%20be%20disproportionate%20and%20that%20harmful%20chemicals%20such%20as%20PFAS%20will%20be%20monitored%20and%20better%20dealt%20with%20in%20the%20future.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3ENext%20steps%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ACouncil%20needs%20to%20formally%20approve%20the%20agreement%20as%20well%20before%20it%20can%20enter%20into%20force.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EBackground%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AIn%20October%202022%2C%20the%20Commission%20tabled%20a%20proposal%20to%20revise%20the%20urban%20wastewater%20treatment%20directive%2C%20aligning%20it%20with%20the%20EU's%20policy%20objectives%20on%20climate%20action%2C%20circular%20economy%20and%20pollution%20reduction.%20The%20legislation%20is%20one%20of%20the%20key%20initiatives%20under%20EU%E2%80%99s%20zero%20pollution%20action%20plan%20for%20air%2C%20water%20and%20soil.

New EU rules to improve urban wastewater treatment

Britain%20has%20introduced%20new%20legislation%20in%20an%20attempt%20to%20crack%20down%20on%20water%20companies%20that%20pollute%20its%20lakes%2C%20rivers%20and%20seas%2C%20in%20what%20the%20government%20says%20is%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20most%20significant%20increase%20in%20enforcement%20powers%20in%20a%20decade.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AThe%20Water%20(Special%20Measures)%20Bill%20will%20give%20new%20powers%20to%20regulators%20to%20take%20faster%20and%20more%20stringent%20action%20to%20prevent%20water%20companies%20from%20harming%20the%20environment%20and%20%E2%80%9Cfailing%20their%20customers%2C%E2%80%9D%20a%20press%20release%20from%20the%20Department%20for%20Environment%2C%20Food%20%26%20Rural%20Affairs%20(DEFRA)%20said.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20public%20are%20furious%20that%20in%2021st%20century%20Britain%2C%20record%20levels%20of%20sewage%20are%20being%20pumped%20into%20our%20rivers%2C%20lakes%20and%20seas.%20After%20years%20of%20neglect%2C%20our%20waterways%20are%20now%20in%20an%20unacceptable%20state.%20That%20is%20why%20today%20I%20am%20announcing%20immediate%20action%20to%20end%20the%20disgraceful%20behaviour%20of%20water%20companies%20and%20their%20bosses%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Steve%20Reed%2C%20Secretary%20of%20State%20for%20DEFRA%2C%20in%20the%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9C%5BW%5Dater%20executives%20will%20no%20longer%20line%20their%20own%20pockets%20whilst%20pumping%20out%20this%20filth.%20If%20they%20refuse%20to%20comply%2C%20they%20could%20end%20up%20in%20the%20dock%20and%20face%20prison%20time.%20This%20Bill%20is%20a%20major%20step%20forward%20in%20our%20wider%20reform%20to%20fix%20the%20broken%20water%20system.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIn%20addition%20to%20prison%20time%2C%20the%20new%20law%20will%20ban%20bonuses%20to%20water%20bosses%20who%20fail%20to%20meet%20strict%20environmental%20protection%20standards%20while%20at%20the%20same%20time%20safeguarding%20the%20companies%E2%80%99%20finances%20and%20their%20customers.%20%0A%20%0AIn%20civil%20cases%2C%20the%20burden%20of%20proof%20will%20be%20lowered%20to%20enable%20the%20Environment%20Agency%20to%20more%20easily%20bring%20criminal%20charges%20against%20water%20bosses%2C%20reported%20BBC%20News.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20bill%20includes%20severe%20automatic%20fines%20for%20a%20variety%20of%20offenses%20and%20allows%20regulators%20to%20swiftly%20issue%20penalties%20without%20having%20to%20conduct%20lengthy%20investigations%2C%20DEFRA%20said%20in%20the%20press%20release.%20Independent%20monitoring%20of%20sewage%20outlets%20will%20also%20be%20introduced%2C%20and%20water%20companies%20will%20be%20required%20to%20publish%20data%20for%20emergency%20overflows%20in%20real%20time%2C%20along%20with%20a%20requirement%20that%20discharges%20be%20reported%20an%20hour%20or%20less%20after%20the%20initial%20spill.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Bill%20creates%20new%20tougher%20penalties%20including%20imprisonment%20for%20water%20executives%20when%20companies%20fail%20to%20co-operate%20or%20obstruct%20Environment%20Agency%20and%20Drinking%20Water%20Inspectorate%20investigations.%20Previously%2C%20the%20maximum%20punishment%20for%20most%20cases%20of%20obstruction%20was%20merely%20a%20fine.%20We%20will%20increase%20sentencing%20powers%20to%20include%20imprisonment%2C%20with%20offences%20triable%20in%20both%20the%20Crown%20and%20Magistrates%E2%80%99%20Court%2C%E2%80%9D%20DEFRA%20said.%20%0A%20%0A%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2Fbusiness%2Fwater%2Fall%22%3EWater%20companies%3C%2Fa%3E%20will%20also%20be%20responsible%20for%20the%20cost%20of%20enforcement%20actions%20taken%20because%20of%20their%20failings.%20%0A%20%0ASince%202020%2C%20water%20chief%20executives%20have%20given%20themselves%20big%20bonuses%2C%20incentives%20and%20benefits%20to%20the%20tune%20of%20more%20than%20%2454%20million.%20The%20bill%20will%20give%20the%20Water%20Services%20Regulation%20Authority%20the%20power%20to%20ban%20performance-related%20pay%2C%20including%20bonuses%20for%20water%20companies%E2%80%99%20senior%20leadership%20and%20chief%20executives%2C%20unless%20high%20standards%20of%20%E2%80%9Cfitness%20and%20propriety%E2%80%9D%20are%20met%20for%20protecting%20the%20environment%20and%20consumers%2C%20criminal%20liability%20and%20financial%20resilience.%20The%20companies%20will%20also%20be%20required%20to%20involve%20customers%20in%20decision-making.%0A%0AJust%2014%20percent%20of%20rivers%20in%20England%20have%20been%20found%20to%20be%20ecologically%20healthy%2C%20BBC%20News%20reported.%20%0A%20%0AFollowing%20decades%20of%20inadequate%20investment%20in%20sewage%20infrastructure%2C%20the%20system%20is%20often%20not%20able%20to%20deal%20with%20the%20volume%20of%20sewage%20and%20rainwater%2C%20which%20causes%20spilling.%20In%202023%2C%20the%20total%20spills%20across%20the%20sewage%20network%20in%20England%20took%203.6%20million%20hours%20to%20address.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9COn%20the%20surface%2C%20this%20new%20bill%20simply%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20look%20up%20to%20scratch%20to%20tackling%20the%20sewage%20scan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UK government unveils new water pollution law

The%20Biden%20administration%20finalized%20a%20landmark%20rule%20on%20Tuesday%20that%20would%20require%20water%20utilities%20to%20replace%20virtually%20every%20lead%20pipe%20in%20the%20country%20within%2010%20years%2C%20tackling%20a%20major%20threat%20that%20is%20particularly%20dangerous%20to%20infants%20and%20children.%0A%20%0AThe%20White%20House%20has%20made%20removing%20every%20lead%20pipe%20within%2010%20years%20in%20the%20United%20States%20a%20centerpiece%20of%20its%20plan%20to%20address%20racial%20disparities%20and%20environmental%20issues%20in%20the%20wake%20of%20water%20contamination%20crises%20in%20recent%20years%20from%20Newark%2C%20New%20Jersey%20to%20Flint%2C%20Michigan.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ve%20known%20for%20decades%20that%20lead%20exposure%20has%20serious%20long-term%20impacts%20for%20children%E2%80%99s%20health.%20And%20yet%2C%20millions%20of%20lead%20service%20lines%20are%20still%20delivering%20drinking%20water%20to%20homes%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20EPA%20Administrator%20Michael%20S.%20Regan.%20%E2%80%9CPresident%20Biden%20is%20putting%20an%20end%20to%20this%20generational%20public%20health%20problem.%0A%20%0APresident%20Joe%20Biden%20is%20scheduled%20to%20visit%20Wisconsin%20to%20tout%20the%20new%20policy%2C%20widely%20seen%20as%20popular%20in%20industrial%20Midwestern%20states%20that%20are%20expected%20to%20play%20a%20major%20role%20in%20deciding%20the%20presidential%20election%20next%20month.%0A%0AVice%20President%20Kamala%20Harris%2C%20who%20is%20running%20for%20president%20this%20November%2C%20has%20also%20called%20for%20replacing%20lead%20pipes%2C%20an%20issue%20especially%20important%20for%20underserved%20communities.%0A%20%0AThe%20rule%2C%20initially%20proposed%20by%20the%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20in%202023%2C%20imposes%20the%20strictest%20limits%20on%20lead%20in%20drinking%20water%20since%20federal%20standards%20were%20first%20set%20decades%20ago%20and%20requires%20utilities%20to%20review%20their%20systems%20and%20replace%20them%20over%20the%20next%2010%20years.%0A%0AThe%202021%20bipartisan%20Infrastructure%20Law%20provided%20%2450%20billion%20to%20support%20upgrades%20to%20the%20nation%E2%80%99s%20drinking%20water%20and%20wastewater%20infrastructure%2C%20including%20%2415%20billion%20over%20five%20years%20dedicated%20to%20lead%20service%20line%20replacement.%0A%20%0ALead%20poisoning%20can%20cause%20irreversible%20damage%20to%20the%20nervous%20system%20and%20the%20brain%20and%20poses%20a%20specific%20risk%20to%20infants%20and%20children.%20Service%20lines%20that%20bring%20water%20into%20homes%20are%20thought%20to%20be%20a%20major%20source%20of%20lead%20exposure.%0A%0AThe%20dangers%20of%20lead%20contamination%20came%20into%20sharp%20relief%20in%20Flint%2C%20Michigan%2C%20a%20decade%20ago.

EPA orders lead pipes nationwide to be removed

Australia%20could%20toughen%20the%20rules%20regarding%20the%20acceptable%20levels%20of%20key%20PFAS%20chemicals%20in%20drinking%20water%2C%20lowering%20the%20amount%20of%20so-called%20forever%20chemicals%20allowed%20per%20litre.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20National%20Health%20and%20Medical%20Research%20Council%20on%20Monday%20released%20draft%20guidelines%20revising%20the%20limits%20for%20four%20PFAS%20chemicals%20in%20drinking%20water.%20%0A%20%0APFAS%20(per-%20and%20polyfluoroalkyl%20substances)%2C%20a%20class%20of%20several%20thousand%20compounds%2C%20are%20sometimes%20referred%20to%20as%20%E2%80%9Cforever%20chemicals%E2%80%9D%20as%20they%20persist%20in%20the%20environment%20for%20long%20periods%20of%20time%20and%20are%20more%20difficult%20to%20destroy%20than%20substances%20such%20as%20sugars%20or%20proteins.%20PFAS%20exposure%20is%20wide%20and%20not%20limited%20to%20drinking%20water.%0A%0AThe%20draft%20guidelines%20set%20out%20recommendations%20for%20PFAS%20limits%20in%20drinking%20water%20over%20a%20person%E2%80%99s%20lifetime.%20%0A%20%0AUnder%20the%20draft%2C%20the%20limit%20for%20PFOA%20%E2%80%93%20a%20compound%20used%20to%20make%20Teflon%20%E2%80%93%20would%20be%20lowered%20from%20560%20ng%2FL%20to%20200%20ng%2FL%2C%20based%20on%20evidence%20of%20their%20cancer-causing%20effects.%20%0A%20%0ABased%20on%20new%20concerns%20about%20bone%20marrow%20effects%2C%20the%20limits%20for%20PFOS%20%E2%80%93%20previously%20the%20key%20ingredient%20in%20the%20fabric%20protector%20Scotchgard%20%E2%80%93%20would%20be%20cut%20from%2070%20ng%2FL%20to%204%20ng%2FL.%20%0A%20%0AIn%20December%20last%20year%2C%20the%20International%20Agency%20for%20Research%20on%20Cancer%20classified%20PFOA%20as%20cancer-causing%20to%20humans%20%E2%80%93%20in%20the%20same%20category%20as%20drinking%20alcohol%20and%20outdoor%20air%20pollution%20%E2%80%93%20and%20PFOS%20as%20%E2%80%9Cpossibly%E2%80%9D%20carcinogenic.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20guidelines%20also%20propose%20new%20limits%20for%20two%20PFAS%20compounds%20based%20on%20evidence%20of%20thyroid%20effects%2C%20of%2030ng%2FL%20for%20PFHxS%20and%201000%20ng%2FL%20for%20PFBS.%20PFBS%20has%20been%20used%20as%20a%20replacement%20for%20PFOS%20in%20Scotchgard%20since%202023.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20NHMRC%20chief%20executive%2C%20Prof%20Steve%20Wesselingh%2C%20said%20in%20a%20media%20briefing%20that%20the%20new%20limits%20were%20set%20based%20on%20evidence%20from%20animal%20studies.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20currently%20don%E2%80%99t%20believe%20there%20are%20human%20studies%20of%20sufficient%20quality%20to%20guide%20us%20in%20developing%20these%20numbers%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20proposed%20PFOS%20limit%20would%20be%20in%20line%20with%20US%20guidelines%2C%20while%20the%20Australian%20limit%20of%20PFOA%20would%20still%20be%20higher.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20not%20unusual%20for%20guideline%20values%20to%20vary%20from%20country%20to%20country%20around%20the%20world%20based%20on%20different%20methodologies%20and%20endpoints%20used%2C%E2%80%9D%20Wesseleigh%20said.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20US%20aims%20for%20zero%20concentrations%20of%20carcinogenic%20compounds%2C%20while%20Australian%20regulators%20take%20a%20%E2%80%9Cthreshold%20model%E2%80%9D%20approach.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20we%20get%20below%20that%20threshold%20level%2C%20we%20believe%20that%20there%20is%20no%20risk%20of%20that%20substance%20causing%20the%20problem%20identified%2C%20whether%20they%20be%20thyroid%20problems%2C%20bone%20marrow%20problems%20or%20cancer%2C%E2%80%9D%20Wesseleigh%20said.%0A%0AThe%20NHMRC%20considered%20setting%20a%20combined%20PFAS%20drinking%20water%20limit%20but%20deemed%20it%20impractical%20given%20the%20numbers%20of%20PFAS%20chemicals.%20%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20very%20large%20numbers%20of%20PFAS%2C%20and%20we%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20toxicological%20information%20for%20the%20great%20majority%20of%20them%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dr%20David%20Cunliffe%2C%20principal%20water%20quality%20adviser%20for%20the%20SA%20health%20department%2C%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ve%20taken%20this%20path%20of%20producing%20individual%20guideline%20values%20for%20those%20PFAS%20where%20there%20is%20data%20available.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0APFAS%20management%20is%20shared%20between%20the%20federal%20government%20and%20the%20state%20and%20territories%2C%20which%20regulate%20water%20supply.%20%0A%20%0ADr%20Daniel%20Deere%2C%20a%20water%20and%20health%20consultant%20at%20Water%20Futures%2C%20said%20Australians%20had%20no%20need%20to%20be%20concerned%20about%20PFAS%20in%20public%20drinking%20water%20unless%20specifically%20notified.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20fortunate%20in%20Australia%20in%20that%20we%20have%20hardly%20any%20water%20that%20is%20affected%20by%20PFAS%2C%20and%20you%20should%20only%20be%20concerned%20if%20directly%20advised%20by%20the%20authorities.%20%0A%20%0AUnless%20advised%20otherwise%2C%20there%20was%20%E2%80%9Cno%20value%20in%20using%20alternative%20water%20sources%2C%20such%20as%20bottled%20water%2C%20household%20water%20treatment%20systems%2C%20benchtop%20water%20filters%2C%20local%20rainwater%20tanks%20or%20bores%2C%E2%80%9D%20Deere%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CAustralians%20can%20continue%20to%20feel%20confidence%20that%20the%20Australian%20Drinking%20Water%20Guidelines%20incorporate%20the%20latest%20and%20most%20robust%20science%20to%20underpin%20drinking%20water%20safety%2C%E2%80%9D%20Prof%20Stuart%20Khan%2C%20head%20of%20the%20School%20of%20Civil%20Engineering%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Sydney%2C%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%0A%20%0ANHMRC%20prioritised%20a%20review%20of%20the%20Australian%20guidelines%20on%20PFAS%20in%20drinking%20water%20in%20late%202022.%20The%20guidelines%20had%20not%20been%20updated%20since%202018.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20draft%20guidelines%20will%20remain%20out%20for%20public%20consultation%20until%2022%20November.

Australia to toughen rules on PFAS in tap water

The%20PFAS%20treatment%20plant%20will%20remove%20regulated%20PFAS%20compounds%20from%20drinking%20water%2C%20fully%20meeting%20the%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%E2%80%99s%20(EPA)%20PFAS%20regulations.%0A%0AIt%20establishes%20a%20replicable%20model%20for%20cost-effective%20PFAS%20treatment%20projects%20in%20water%20systems%20globally.%0A%0AEstelle%20Brachlianoff%2C%20CEO%20of%20Veolia%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CFor%20the%20100%2C000%20people%20who%20rely%20on%20high-quality%20water%20from%20Veolia%20in%20Delaware%2C%20the%20Stanton%20PFAS%20treatment%20system%20is%20a%20generational%20improvement%20in%20public%20health%20and%20environmental%20protection%20that%20will%20strengthen%20communities%20and%20create%20opportunities%20long%20into%20the%20future.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3EAchieving%20PFAS%20treatment%20at%20over%20100%20sites%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20%2435m%20facility%20comes%20in%20addition%20to%2033%20existing%20PFAS%20treatment%20systems%20Veolia%20already%20operates%20for%20water%20customers%20in%20the%20United%20States.%0A%0AVeolia%20will%20continue%20to%20install%20treatment%20systems%20to%20achieve%20PFAS%20treatment%20at%20more%20than%20100%20water%20production%20sites%20across%20the%20country%20in%20the%20coming%20years%2C%20which%20will%20help%20secure%20high-quality%20drinking%20water%20for%20nearly%202%20million%20people%20and%20comply%20with%20regulations%20in%20the%20most%20cost-effective%20manner%20possible.%0A%0AThe%20successful%20delivery%20of%20PFAS%20treatment%20for%20drinking%20water%20in%20Delaware%20exemplifies%20how%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20end-to-end%20solutions%20can%20manage%20PFAS%20from%20testing%20through%20treatment%20and%20responsible%20disposal.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EThe%20Stanton%20Plant%3A%20Working%20to%20meet%20EPA%20regulations%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20Stanton%20PFAS%20treatment%20plant%20began%20construction%20in%20early%202022%2C%20ahead%20of%20the%20new%20EPA%20regulations%20for%20some%20PFAS%20levels%20in%20drinking%20water%2C%20and%20worked%20methodically%20to%20deliver%20a%20state-of-the-art%20plant%20that%20minimised%20construction%20costs%20and%20left%20maximum%20flexibility%20for%20the%20future.%0A%0AIt%20took%20three%20years%20to%20design%20and%20build%20the%2017%2C600-square-foot%20facility%2C%20which%20features%2042%20large%20vessels%2C%20each%2022%20feet%20high%20and%20filled%20with%2040%2C000%20pounds%20of%20granular%20activated%20carbon.%0A%0AThe%20vessels%20are%20designed%20and%20optimised%20for%20the%20carbon%20material%20to%20absorb%20regulated%20PFAS%20compounds%20from%20up%20to%2030%20million%20gallons%20of%20water%20per%20day%20that%20enter%20the%20plant%20from%20two%20nearby%20rivers.%20The%20massive%20vessels%20were%20installed%20first%2C%20and%20the%20building%20was%20constructed%20around%20them%2C%20requiring%20precise%20coordination%20and%20timing%20during%20the%20construction%20process.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Stanton%20Water%20Treatment%20Plant%20will%20play%20a%20vital%20role%20in%20tackling%20this%20challenge%20by%20treating%20PFAS%20on%20the%20front%20end%20of%20the%20water%20system%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20Delaware%20Governor%20Matt%20Meyer.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CVeolia%E2%80%99s%20leadership%20in%20developing%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20treatment%20facilities%20in%20the%20country%20reflects%20a%20strong%20commitment%20to%20proactive%20public%20health%20protection%20and%20underscores%20our%20administration%E2%80%99s%20dedication%20to%20ensuring%20clean%2C%20safe%20water%20for%20Delawareans.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20plant%20features%20a%20laboratory%20that%20continually%20tests%20new%20filtration%20media%20and%20treatment%20methods%2C%20providing%20additional%20flexibility%20and%20potential%20cost%20savings%20in%20the%20future.

One of largest PFAS plants opens by Veolia

Researchers%20from%20Dalhousie%20University%20have%20unveiled%20a%20groundbreaking%20technique%20that%20effectively%20eliminates%20toxic%20contaminants%20from%20wastewater%E2%80%94offering%20a%20major%20leap%20forward%20for%20sustainable%20water%20treatment%20and%20waste%20management.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEco-friendly%20innovation%20turns%20waste%20into%20powerful%20water%20purifiers%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20research%20introduces%20an%20eco-friendly%2C%20low-cost%2C%20and%20reusable%20method%20that%20transforms%20agricultural%20and%20forestry%20residues%20into%20magnetic%20materials%20capable%20of%20absorbing%20hazardous%20chemicals%20from%20water.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20goal%20was%20to%20create%20a%20sustainable%2C%20affordable%2C%20and%20reusable%20solution%20for%20treating%20wastewater%20contaminated%20with%20toxic%20substances%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20lead%20researcher%20Tunnisha%20Dasgupta%20from%20Dalhousie%20University%E2%80%99s%20Faculty%20of%20Agriculture.%20%E2%80%9CBy%20repurposing%20agricultural%20and%20forestry%20waste%2C%20we%E2%80%99re%20not%20only%20cleaning%20polluted%20water%20but%20also%20giving%20new%20life%20to%20discarded%20materials.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFrom%20biomass%20waste%20to%20magnetic%20carbon%20materials%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20team%20developed%20magnetic%20carbon%20adsorbents%20using%20two%20abundant%20types%20of%20biomass%20waste%3A%20flax%20shives%20and%20eucalyptus%20sawdust.%20These%20materials%20were%20converted%20into%20carbon-rich%20solids%20known%20as%20hydrochars%20through%20a%20process%20called%20hydrothermal%20carbonization%20(HTC)%E2%80%94a%20technique%20that%20uses%20heat%20and%20pressure%20to%20transform%20organic%20matter%20into%20carbon-based%20materials.%0A%0ABy%20incorporating%20iron%20during%20the%20HTC%20process%2C%20the%20researchers%20created%20magnetic%20hydrochars%20that%20can%20be%20easily%20removed%20from%20treated%20water%20with%20a%20simple%20magnet%2C%20eliminating%20the%20need%20for%20expensive%20filtration%20systems.%0A%0AThe%20full%20findings%2C%20published%20in%20Sustainable%20Carbon%20Materials%2C%20highlight%20the%20conversion%20of%20lignocellulosic%20waste%20into%20magnetic%20bio-adsorbents%20for%20efficient%20wastewater%20remediation.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3Ecircular%20economy%20meets%20clean%20water%20technology%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20research%20team%2C%20the%20introduction%20of%20iron%20not%20only%20enhanced%20the%20magnetic%20properties%20of%20the%20hydrochar%20but%20also%20enabled%20easy%20recovery%20and%20reuse.%20Two%20variants%E2%80%94FS-Fe-HC%20(flax%20shive%20hydrochar)%20and%20ES-Fe-HC%20(eucalyptus%20hydrochar)%E2%80%94were%20tested%20for%20their%20ability%20to%20remove%20pentachlorophenol%20(PCP)%2C%20a%20highly%20toxic%20industrial%20pollutant.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20study%20demonstrates%20how%20hydrothermal%20carbonization%20can%20turn%20biomass%20waste%20into%20valuable%20bio-adsorbents%20for%20wastewater%20purification%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20authors%20noted.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20approach%20addresses%20both%20environmental%20pollution%20and%20industrial%20waste%20management%20challenges%20while%20promoting%20circular%20economy%20principles.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EImpressive%20results%20in%20toxic%20pollutant%20removal%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20new%20materials%20showed%20exceptional%20performance%20in%20removing%20pentachlorophenol%20from%20contaminated%20water.%20Under%20optimal%20conditions%2C%20the%20flax-based%20hydrochar%20achieved%20up%20to%2095%25%20removal%20efficiency%2C%20while%20the%20eucalyptus-based%20variant%20reached%20nearly%2089%25.%0A%0AEven%20after%20six%20reuse%20cycles%2C%20both%20adsorbents%20maintained%20their%20high%20efficiency%20with%20minimal%20performance%20loss%20and%20no%20iron%20leaching%2C%20confirming%20their%20environmental%20safety%20and%20durability.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdvancing%20global%20sustainability%20goals%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20research%20demonstrates%20how%20we%20can%20transform%20organic%20waste%20into%20advanced%20materials%20that%20protect%20our%20ecosystems%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20senior%20author%20Dr.%20Quan.%20%E2%80%9COur%20magnetic%20hydrochars%20are%20scalable%2C%20highly%20effective%2C%20and%20perfectly%20aligned%20with%20global%20sustainability%20and%20water%20management%20goals.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThis%20pioneering%20work%20underscores%20the%20potential%20of%20biomass-based%20water%20treatment%20solutions%20to%20address%20pollution%20while%20supporting%20a%20circular%2C%20zero-waste%20economy.

Eco method removes toxins from wastewater

Researchers%20have%20developed%20a%20groundbreaking%20membrane%20technology%20that%20may%20revolutionize%20desalination%20and%20water%20purification.%20This%20innovative%20system%20enables%20ion%20transport%20through%20water%20without%20the%20need%20for%20mechanical%20pumps%20or%20chemical%20reactions%2C%20offering%20a%20more%20energy-efficient%20alternative%20to%20traditional%20methods.%0A%0AAn%20international%20team%20of%20scientists%2C%20including%20experts%20from%20Germany%E2%80%99s%20Helmholtz-Zentrum%20Hereon%2C%20introduced%20a%20next-generation%20ion%20pump%20built%20with%20ultra-thin%20metallic%20layers%20positioned%20on%20both%20sides%20of%20a%20porous%20membrane.%20These%20conductive%20layers%20precisely%20regulate%20the%20movement%20of%20charged%20particles%2C%20creating%20a%20highly%20controlled%20ion%20flow.%0A%0AUnlike%20conventional%20electrochemical%20systems%20that%20depend%20on%20energy-intensive%20chemical%20processes%2C%20this%20new%20approach%20relies%20on%20rapid%20electrical%20switching.%20By%20applying%20low%20voltage%20pulses%2C%20the%20system%20efficiently%20drives%20ions%20across%20the%20membrane%20with%20minimal%20energy%20consumption.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Francesca%20Toma%2C%20PhD%2C%20head%20of%20the%20Institute%20of%20Functional%20Materials%20for%20Sustainability%20in%20Teltow%2C%20this%20method%20leverages%20nanoscale%20%E2%80%9Cratchet%E2%80%9D%20mechanisms%20to%20achieve%20continuous%20ion%20transport%20in%20water%E2%80%94an%20entirely%20new%20concept%20in%20the%20field.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20smarter%20approach%20to%20water%20purification%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThis%20breakthrough%20represents%20a%20major%20advancement%20in%20electrochemistry%20and%20sustainable%20water%20treatment.%20The%20system%20operates%20using%20a%20simple%20physical%20principle%3A%20when%20a%20low%20electrical%20voltage%20is%20repeatedly%20switched%20on%20and%20off%2C%20the%20metal%20surfaces%20undergo%20rapid%20charging%20cycles.%0A%0AThese%20cycles%20create%20subtle%20imbalances%20that%20generate%20a%20steady%20and%20controlled%20ion%20flow%E2%80%94effectively%20pumping%20ions%20without%20moving%20parts%20or%20chemical%20additives.%20Notably%2C%20this%20is%20the%20first%20time%20such%20a%20mechanism%20has%20been%20successfully%20applied%20to%20ion%20transport%20in%20liquids.%0A%0AEfficient%20ion%20control%20is%20essential%20for%20a%20wide%20range%20of%20biological%20and%20technological%20applications%2C%20and%20this%20innovation%20opens%20new%20possibilities%20for%20both.%0A%0ATo%20validate%20the%20technology%2C%20researchers%20integrated%20the%20membrane%20into%20a%20compact%20desalination%20prototype.%20Laboratory%20tests%20demonstrated%20that%20the%20system%20could%20reduce%20salt%20levels%20in%20water%20by%20up%20to%2050%25%20while%20operating%20at%20very%20low%20voltage%20levels.%0A%0AUnlike%20traditional%20desalination%20systems%2C%20this%20design%20eliminates%20the%20need%20for%20high-pressure%20pumps%2C%20complex%20filtration%20systems%2C%20and%20chemical%20treatments%E2%80%94significantly%20lowering%20both%20energy%20use%20and%20operational%20complexity.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ENew%20opportunities%20in%20ion%20separation%20and%20resource%20recovery%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20study%20highlights%20the%20membrane%E2%80%99s%20potential%20to%20enable%20highly%20energy-efficient%20desalination%20and%20advanced%20water%20purification%20solutions.%20Beyond%20desalination%2C%20the%20technology%20also%20allows%20for%20selective%20ion%20separation%E2%80%94even%20among%20ions%20with%20identical%20charges%E2%80%94by%20exploiting%20subtle%20differences%20in%20their%20behavior%20under%20electric%20fields.%0A%0AThis%20capability%20could%20lead%20to%20major%20innovations%20in%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Lithium%20extraction%20from%20seawater%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Removal%20of%20toxic%20heavy%20metals%20from%20drinking%20water%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20battery%20recycling%20technologies%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Next-generation%20sensors%20and%20diagnostic%20systems%0A%0AToma%20noted%20that%20the%20concept%20not%20only%20provides%20fundamental%20scientific%20insights%20but%20also%20paves%20the%20way%20for%20more%20sustainable%20and%20efficient%20ion%20separation%20technologies.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGlobal%20collaboration%20driving%20sustainable%20innovation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20research%20was%20conducted%20through%20a%20global%20collaboration%20involving%20institutions%20such%20as%20the%20University%20of%20California%2C%20Irvine%2C%20Tel%20Aviv%20University%2C%20the%20University%20of%20Massachusetts%20Boston%2C%20and%20Lawrence%20Berkeley%20National%20Laboratory.%0A%0ASupported%20by%20major%20organizations%20including%20the%20U.S.%20National%20Science%20Foundation%2C%20the%20Department%20of%20Energy%2C%20and%20the%20European%20Research%20Council%2C%20the%20project%20underscores%20the%20importance%20of%20interdisciplinary%20research%20in%20addressing%20global%20water%20scarcity%20challenges.%0A%0AThis%20work%20also%20demonstrates%20how%20long-term%20collaboration%20across%20scientific%20fields%20can%20translate%20early-stage%20ideas%20into%20impactful%20technologies%20with%20real-world%20environmental%20and%20societal%20benefits.%0A%0AAs%20Toma%20emphasized%2C%20the%20journey%20from%20concept%20to%20breakthrough%20reflects%20years%20of%20persistence%20and%20international%20cooperation%E2%80%94resulting%20in%20a%20promising%20solution%20with%20significant%20technological%20potential%20for%20the%20future%20of%20clean%20water.

Next-gen membrane redefinesdesalination tech

U.S.%20federal%20agencies%20have%20launched%20a%20new%20initiative%20to%20evaluate%20the%20presence%20of%20microplastics%20and%20pharmaceutical%20substances%20in%20drinking%20water%2C%20marking%20a%20significant%20step%20toward%20understanding%20their%20potential%20health%20impacts%20and%20shaping%20future%20regulations.%0A%0AThe%20program%2C%20led%20by%20the%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20(EPA)%20in%20collaboration%20with%20the%20Department%20of%20Health%20and%20Human%20Services%20(HHS)%2C%20will%20focus%20on%20monitoring%20these%20emerging%20contaminants%20as%20part%20of%20a%20broader%20effort%20to%20improve%20water%20safety%20standards%20across%20the%20country.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20microplastics%20and%20pharmaceuticals%20are%20under%20scrutiny%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMicroplastics%E2%80%94tiny%20plastic%20particles%20found%20in%20oceans%2C%20soil%2C%20and%20even%20the%20human%20body%E2%80%94have%20become%20a%20growing%20environmental%20and%20public%20health%20concern.%20Meanwhile%2C%20pharmaceutical%20residues%20often%20enter%20water%20systems%20through%20human%20waste%20or%20improper%20disposal%20of%20medications%2C%20raising%20concerns%20about%20long-term%20exposure.%20%0A%0AAlthough%20research%20into%20their%20health%20effects%20is%20ongoing%2C%20some%20studies%20suggest%20possible%20links%20between%20microplastics%20and%20serious%20conditions%2C%20including%20hormonal%20disruption%20and%20other%20biological%20impacts.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ENew%20monitoring%20framework%20under%20federal%20Lllaw%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAs%20part%20of%20this%20initiative%2C%20both%20microplastics%20and%20pharmaceutical%20compounds%20will%20be%20added%20to%20the%20EPA%E2%80%99s%20Contaminant%20Candidate%20List%20(CCL)%2C%20which%20is%20updated%20every%20five%20years%20under%20the%20Safe%20Drinking%20Water%20Act.%20Inclusion%20on%20this%20list%20enables%20federal%20agencies%20to%20fund%20research%2C%20collect%20data%2C%20and%20determine%20whether%20regulatory%20limits%20should%20be%20introduced%20in%20the%20future.%20%0A%0AOfficials%20also%20plan%20to%20monitor%20hundreds%20of%20pharmaceutical%20substances%20and%20establish%20health%20benchmarks%20to%20better%20assess%20their%20presence%20in%20public%20water%20systems.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20first%20step%20toward%20future%20regulation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AGovernment%20representatives%20emphasized%20that%20monitoring%20is%20a%20necessary%20starting%20point%20before%20any%20enforceable%20standards%20can%20be%20implemented.%20By%20identifying%20and%20measuring%20these%20contaminants%2C%20regulators%20aim%20to%20build%20the%20scientific%20foundation%20required%20for%20future%20policy%20decisions.%0A%0AThe%20move%20follows%20increasing%20pressure%20from%20environmental%20organizations%20and%20state%20leaders%20who%20have%20called%20for%20stronger%20oversight%20of%20water%20quality%20and%20emerging%20pollutants.%20%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EOngoing%20debate%20over%20risks%20and%20regulation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AWhile%20many%20public%20health%20advocates%20see%20the%20initiative%20as%20progress%2C%20some%20experts%20argue%20that%20monitoring%20alone%20is%20not%20enough%20and%20that%20stronger%20regulatory%20action%20will%20ultimately%20be%20needed.%20At%20the%20same%20time%2C%20industry%20groups%20maintain%20that%20more%20scientific%20evidence%20is%20required%20to%20confirm%20the%20risks%20associated%20with%20microplastics.%0A%0ADespite%20differing%20views%2C%20the%20initiative%20signals%20a%20growing%20recognition%20of%20the%20need%20to%20address%20contaminants%20that%20have%20long%20gone%20unregulated%20in%20drinking%20water%20systems.