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
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
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
‘It smells bad’: the US farmworkers grappling with unsafe water at home – theguardian.org Continue reading US farmworkers grapple with unsafe water
Saturday, June 10, 2023, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts It was great to see so many members of the Association present at this event. Here’s the WIWSA presentation. We’ll add links to the others … Continue reading Whidbey’s Water Future in a Changing Climate
Submitted by John Lovie, Whidbey Island Water Systems Association. I would like to highlight rural Washingtonians’ lack of access to safe drinking water as an Environmental Health Disparity and an environmental justice concern. As the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act celebrate their 50th anniversaries, they are failing rural Americans. The Safe Drinking Water Act web page states that “Over 92 percent of the population supplied by community water systems receives drinking water that meets all health-based standards all of the time.” That excludes the 13% of Americans served by private wells or Group B water systems. In … Continue reading Written comment to the Washington State Environmental Justice Council meeting, May 24th.
Here’s the letter sent to King Water customers detailing this significant change. Continue reading NW Natural Water purchases King Water
The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC), DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) and Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) (the “companies”) today announced they have reached an agreement in principle to comprehensively resolve all PFAS-related drinking water claims of a defined class of public water systems that serve the vast majority of the United States population.
The class includes water systems with a current detection of PFAS1 at any level and those that are currently required to monitor for the presence of PFAS under EPA monitoring rules2 or other applicable laws. This includes but is not limited to systems in the South Carolina aqueous film-forming foam multi-district litigation (“AFFF MDL”). Continue reading Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva Reach Comprehensive PFAS Settlement with U.S. Water Systems
By Isabella Breda and Manuel Villa
Seattle Times staff reporters
The state attorney general’s office has filed a lawsuit against nearly two dozen manufacturers of so-called “forever chemicals,” asserting the companies knew about their risks to the environment and humans for decades but lied and kept that knowledge hidden from the government and public to protect their businesses. Continue reading WA AG sues PFAS manufacturers, seeks money for cleanup of drinking water
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced an environmental lawsuit today against numerous manufacturers of PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” The lawsuit asserts these companies knew for decades about the serious risks these chemicals posed to humans and the environment. The companies likely made many millions in profit while actively deceiving the public. Continue reading AG Ferguson files lawsuit against 20 manufacturers of “forever chemicals”
Board of Directors We have more changes on the board of directors. Bethel Hart is stepping down after years of service as our treasurer and bookkeeper. Bethel also created and managed our apprenticeship program. We thank you Bethel for all … Continue reading Board of Directors Changes
Unseen worry: Firefighting ‘forever chemicals’ linger near Paine Field | HeraldNet.com EVERETT — Late on the afternoon of May 20, 2014, construction workers at Boeing’s massive Everett Modification Center at Paine Field accidentally cut a wire. The mistake activated the … Continue reading Unseen worry: Firefighting ‘forever chemicals’ linger near Paine Field
Association vice-president and Town of Coupeville Public Works Director Joe Grogan received a Grace Under Pressure award, while Assocation director and former president John Lovie received a Lifetime Achievement award. Continue reading WIWSA Board Members honored for Drinking Water Week
An avid volunteer involved in countless projects around Puget Sound recently claimed the 2023 Jan Holmes award.
South Whidbey resident John Lovie is this year’s recipient of the annual award, which is named in memory of Jan Holmes, a marine scientist, educator and champion for stewardship of the marine environment who passed away in 2011.
The Island County Marine Resources Committee, Sound Water Stewards and Washington State University Extension presented Lovie with the award a few days ahead of Sound Waters University, which is when the winner of the award is usually announced.
Continue reading Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award