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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, have become a major concern for public health and water quality. These man-made chemicals have been linked to various health problems and are increasingly being detected in drinking water supplies.   A recent development in the ongoing…

A recent rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes a national framework for considering tribal treaties and reserved rights when setting water quality standards under the Clean Water Act.   Key takeaways: Clear Framework for Tribal Rights: This rule replaces a case-by-case approach with a consistent national framework for considering tribal rights in…

The health of the Lower Duwamish River and Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington, is at the centre of a recent lawsuit filed by the United States Department of Justice. The lawsuit names Crowley Marine Services, Inc., 8th Avenue Terminals, Inc., and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as defendants, alleging they are responsible for…

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Attorney General, on behalf of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, filed a civil complaint against the city for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). This lawsuit centers on the discharge of billions of gallons of untreated sewage from San Francisco’s…

The Department of the Interior recently announced a new rule aimed at guiding the balanced management of America’s public lands. The Public Lands Rule, implemented by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has significant implications for anyone concerned with the future of our public lands.   This new rule prioritizes a holistic approach to public…

For decades, our understanding of Earth’s river systems lacked a crucial piece of the puzzle: a comprehensive picture of the volume of water they hold and how it fluctuates. A recent study led by NASA researchers and published in Nature Geoscience is revolutionizing this field. This groundbreaking research provides the first global accounting of Earth’s…

On April 26th, 2024, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and other prominent figures participated in a signing ceremony that finalized agreements allowing the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) to market a portion of their Colorado River water allocation to entities outside of their reservation.   This landmark agreement represents a critical step forward in implementing the…

Public water systems in California are taking legal action against manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in what could be a landmark case for the water industry. Orange County Water District and over a dozen other California water utilities filed a lawsuit in in early April against seven manufacturers of PFAS, including Dynax America…

PFAS contamination is a growing concern for agricultural operations, potentially impacting land use and posing risks to human health. Biosolids, a wastewater treatment product used as fertilizer, may be a source of PFAS contamination.   Texas farmers from Johnson County are suing Synagro Technologies, Inc., a biosolids provider, for allegedly contaminating their land with PFAS…