State-mandated testing revealed a San Juan Island community was drinking toxic water. But who is responsible for paying for a new water source? The question is one public officials are grappling with as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are found in … Continue reading As WA tackles PFAS pollution, some worry about ‘piecemeal’ approach
Representatives of US water and waste systems told US lawmakers this week that hundreds of such operations across the nation could face unintended and overwhelming liabilities unless they are exempted from a proposal that would designate two types of per- … Continue reading Warnings of a “wave of lawsuits” as PFAS exemption debated
Even well-meaning officials often provide inadequate or misleading information, putting communities at higher risk. When the simple blue-and-white postcard arrived in January 2023, Sarah Ferris missed it. The mailer, sent by the city of Vancouver, Washington, told 270,000 municipal water users … Continue reading The dangers of PFAS
A letter to Ecology John Lovie posted on an effort led by Toxic-Free Future to put focus on addressing concerns over a lack of funding and coordination which have limited Department of Ecology’s efforts to help communities impacted by PFAS … Continue reading Funding for PFAS
Alexis Medina from the DOH Office of Drinking Water presented at the Q1 Member’s Meeting, recapping the annual A Day with DOH hosted by PNW/AWWA on March 20, 2024. Alexis summarized each of the topics which you can review at … Continue reading A Day with DOH
Thank you to all who attended the WIWSA Group B Meetup last week (March 14, 2024). We had about 24 attendees (from 17 water systems) with a great discussion on the common issues that we are experiencing with our Group … Continue reading Group B Meetup — RECAP
Meeting invitations are emailed to all newsletter subscribers. If you’re not already subscribed, you can subscribe here. Continue reading WIWSA Member Meeting March 2024—Agenda
With the EPA’s first-ever regulation of PFAS chemicals in the water supply expected soon, local officials say they need more funding to comply. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-13/regulation-of-pfas-chemicals-in-water-supply-strains-city-budgets Continue reading New Forever Chemical Rules Could Escalate Water Bills, US Cities Warn
In help for PFAS in drinking water, geography matters. In his followup to an earlier post, John Lovie focuses on the response to PFAS contamination from non-military sources in Washington state and other places around the country. You’ll find it … Continue reading Wrong Side of the Road
2024 is the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the landmark federal legislation designed to protect public health by regulating the quality of drinking water in the United States. This episode features a discussion with Alan Roberson, … Continue reading Podcast: 50 Years of Safer Drinking Water
A new issue of DOH’s ODW Now newsletter is available for March 2024. Continue reading ODW Now – March 2024 Edition
On February 21, 2024, the Washington State Department of Health (health) filed proposed amendments to WAC 246-290-100 Water system plan. The proposed amendments are intended to add a climate resilience element as a requirement for public water systems with one … Continue reading Action: Open Comment Period–Climate Resilience Element in Water System Plans
As mentioned in the February newsletter, Whidbey Island Water Systems Association is kicking off a Group B membership drive this month with a postcard mailing to the approximately 500 Group B water systems on Whidbey Island. Those postcards should be … Continue reading Group B Membership Drive & Meet-up
