Author: WIWSA

News, PFAS

Commissioner Bacon’s newsletter discusses PFAS

WIWSA

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WACOISLAND/bulletins/327e2fe …I want to share with you … a meeting to discuss PFAS in our drinking water, with John Lovie, president of the Whidbey Island Water Systems Associations; Keith Higman, Island County Public Health Director; and Heather Korteum, Island County Environmental Health Manager. On June 15th the EPA announced new Lifetime Health Advisories (LHAs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) which in some cases are over 10,000 times lower than the LHA numbers we have been working with in the water systems and private wells around the Navy facilities on Whidbey Island. This means that levels we thought were safe … Continue reading Commissioner Bacon’s newsletter discusses PFAS

News

Saltwater Intrusion, a “Slow Poison” to East Coast Drinking Water

WIWSA

Saltwater Intrusion, a “Slow Poison” to East Coast Drinking Water – Circle of Blue Saltwater intrusion refers to the landward movement of seawater into freshwater systems. It’s a game of density: saltwater is denser than freshwater, so it remains underneath the freshwater in water tables. When the freshwater volume decreases, saltwater begins to take its place. Mixing then occurs, contaminating the whole supply. At high concentrations of salt in drinking water, people can develop hypertension, which exacerbates pre-existing health conditions and puts the elderly at higher risk of stroke. Continue reading Saltwater Intrusion, a “Slow Poison” to East Coast Drinking Water

Circle of Blue, PFAS

EPA Warns of Health Problems When PFAS Levels in Drinking Water Are Inconceivably Tiny

WIWSA

EPA Warns of Health Problems When PFAS Levels in Drinking Water Are Inconceivably Tiny – Circle of Blue For members of the general public who are attuned to drinking water contaminants, the EPA announcement is raising concerns, according to John Lovie, president of the Whidbey Island Water Systems Association. Located in Washington state, the association counts about 100 water systems as members, which range in size from several thousand customers to just three or four. The town of Coupeville, one of the largest in the association, is dealing with PFAS chemicals in its water. Circle of Blue Continue reading EPA Warns of Health Problems When PFAS Levels in Drinking Water Are Inconceivably Tiny

News

Can Arizona citizens use the tools of democracy to preserve the state’s dwindling water? — High Country News – Know the West

WIWSA

https://www.hcn.org/articles/south-water-can-arizona-citizens-use-the-tools-of-democracy-to-preserve-the-states-dwindling-water How a group of ‘scrappy’ locals are working to create Arizona’s first citizen-initiated groundwater management area. Continue reading Can Arizona citizens use the tools of democracy to preserve the state’s dwindling water? — High Country News – Know the West

AWWA, Partners, Training

Chlorine Residual Testing and Lab Skills for Water Operators – Port Townsend

WIWSA

Chlorine Residual Testing and Lab Skills Workshop in Port Townsend (constantcontact.com) At The Cotton Building on the Port Townsend Waterfront Double Header!! Morning and Afternoon Sessions Attend one of these 3.5 hour workshops for chlorine residual testing.  This class will provide wastewater and drinking water operators with a better understanding of good lab skills and chlorine measurement techniques and why they matter. It will provide operators with hands on skills to answer the questions: How do I know my instrument is working? How do I know that the residual that I measure is real? How good is my technique? Each class size … Continue reading Chlorine Residual Testing and Lab Skills for Water Operators – Port Townsend