Water
Coal ash spill 50 times larger than that of Exxon-Valdez - now covering 400 acres with toxic sludge oozing toward drinking water for some in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama - calls out 'clean coal' myth. Human nature is to take cheap way today and leave mess for future, but that mess is now. And: High levels of arsenic detected in water near spill; EPA, TVA advise avoiding activities that could stir up drying dust - children playing outside, pets outdoors (click 'See also').
The editors
The Anniston Star 2008-12-30 (entry)
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Water flow to California cities, San Joaquin farmers further reduced to protect endangered delta smelt, avert ecological collapse of water crossroads. Contamination, invasive species, power plant operations, climate all damaging Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, says water director. Agriculture interests want new reservoirs, homeowners urged to conserve.
By Bettina Boxall
Los Angeles Times 2008-12-15 (entry)
Cholera, spread by feces-fouled drinking water, has sickened 16,000-plus Zimbabweans since August. Nearly 1,000 have died (click 'See also); cases could surpass 60,000. Fresh water supplies captive to chaos of Mugabe regime; hospital system shut down by an exodus of workers whose salaries are worthless from hyperinflation. Millions enduring severe and worsening hunger. And: UN, running out of funds, may cut food rations there (click 'See also').
By Celia W. Dugger
The New York Times 2008-12-12 (entry)
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Smallmouth bass, favorite prey fish of bald eagles, are on a NY mercury advisory list.
Bald eagles - fish-eating barometers of environmental health - show rising mercury levels in Catskills, site of drinking-water reservoirs for New York City. Most mercury comes from coal-burning power plant emissions blown from Midwest; toxin falls into water and becomes methylmercury, which contaminates worms, then fish. And: New York advisories limiting amount of state's fish that can be safely eaten (click 'See also').
By Anthony DePalma
The New York Times 2008-11-24 (entry)
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Considering extra cost and landfill clutter, standards for bottled water should be as good or even better than those for tap water. Consumers should be able to see certified data that lists what's in bottled water and whether it meets federal requirements. Analysis (click 'See also') found fertilizer residue, pain medicine, other chemicals in some major brands.
The editors
The New York Times 2008-10-17 (entry)
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EPA won't set drinking-water standard for perchlorate, a rocket fuel component that has polluted soil, groundwater, drinking water in 35 states and tainted water systems in 26 states. Chemical impairs thyroid, which, in infants, can translate to irreversible loss of IQ, increase in behavioral, perception problems. Congresswoman calls inaction unforgivable and immoral. And: FDA study (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-09-22 (entry)
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Clean water, reliable sanitation will beat medical intervention in reducing disease, death as climate warms and population grows, experts say, but investment in infrastructure must be doubled. Most vulnerable: Four billion in Africa, Middle East, South Asia. Failure means recurrent floods, droughts, water pollution, erosion, sea level rise, plus undermining of other triumphs, like building schools.
By Juliette Jowit
The Guardian (UK) 2008-09-11 (entry)
Villagers trek 12 miles for drinking water after Beijing diverts surrounding towns' supply to support itself and Olympic Games. City is sinking after pumping groundwater from underneath. What happens if dams and infrastructure fail on the way to Beijing? And: Water tables are falling in other areas as well (click 'See also').
By Peter Waldman
Portfolio 2008-06-16 (entry)
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Atrazine, a common weedkiller linked to defects in fish and frogs that live in contaminated water, is shown to alter hormones and could disrupt endocrine development and function in lower and higher vertebrates, including humans, researchers say. They also urge further research on immune responses and embryonic development. EPA allows some presence in drinking water.
By Miyuki Suzawa and Holly A. Ingraham
Public Library of Science (PLoS) One 2008-05-07 (entry)
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Residue of prescription and over-the-counter medicines found in drinking water of at least 41 million Americans in 24 cities, and in aquifers, watersheds and wells. Information isn't readily available, California water official says public 'doesn't know how to interpret the information' and might be unduly alarmed. Research shows effects on human cells and wildlife, from human blood cells to earthworms and zooplankton. The federal government doesn't require testing.
By Jeff Donn, Martha Mendoza and Justin Pritchard
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2008-03-09 (entry)
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For 11 weeks, all drinking fountains at Chicago school have been taped shut and students' water rationed to half a glass a day after water main break uncovers plumbing problems at 116-year-old public school. Officials apologize and promise action after reporter asks questions.
By Rosalind Rossi
Chicago Sun-Times 2007-11-23 (entry)
As "exceptional drought" deepens its hold on the Southeastern United States, Atlanta's water reserves shrink to only 90 days and no solution is apparent; farmers harvest parched crops and sell off cattle they can't afford to feed.
By Greg Bluestein
The Associated Press; Tribune News Services 2007-10-20 (entry)
Scrutinizing food ingredients is crucial, but because the water we drink is the same as the water in our toilets, we tolerate the presence of chemicals that would be banned as food additives; it's time to filter drinking water for all.
By Robert D. Morris
The New York Times 2007-10-03 (entry)
Bush administration's proposed legalization of high-altitude strip mining, with follow-up poisoning of Appalachian drinking water and fish habitats with dumped leftovers, will add converts to reaffirmation of Clean Water Act protections.
The editors
The New York Times (may require subscription) 2007-08-27 (entry)
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Mountaintop removal coal mining, with toxic leftovers shoved into streams, foul residents' water and kill the fish; study traces mining pollution to children's nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and shortness of breath; long-term effects unknown.
By Eric Reece
Orion Magazine 2006-01-01 (entry)
In 2000 in Kentucky, a torrent of coal-mining sludge was released when an earthen dam collapsed after a previous leak; the goo, 20 times the volume of the Exxon Valdez's crude oil spill in Alaska, covered vegetable gardens and suffocated fish as it fouled 100 miles of streams and rivers before dispersing at the Ohio River.
By Peter T. Kilborn
The New York Times 2000-12-25 (entry)
Big water has Coke, Pepsi and Nestle behind all those bottles of all that water being marketed as preferable to the stuff that flows from the tap, with one spokesperson comparing it to French wines and iPods, both of which are shipped long distances.
By Alex Beam
The Boston Globe 2007-08-20 (entry)
With federal quality standards for bottled water less stringent than they are for tap water and 2 million tons of polyethylene bottles trashed every year in U.S., it makes sense to fill a reusable bottle with filtered water at home, then pack it for work or school.
By Eviana Hartman
Washington Post (entry)
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Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Läckeby Water Group join other food, drink producers in UN agreement to use water more efficiently; lack of access to clean water and sanitation undermines humanitarian, social, environmental, and economic goals.
By Ahmed ElAmin
foodproductiondaily.com (entry)
