Category: News

News

Written comment to the Washington State Environmental Justice Council meeting, May 24th.

John Lovie

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.

News, PFAS

Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva Reach Comprehensive PFAS Settlement with U.S. Water Systems

John Lovie

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

News, PFAS

WA AG sues PFAS manufacturers, seeks money for cleanup of drinking water

John Lovie

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

News, PFAS

AG Ferguson files lawsuit against 20 manufacturers of “forever chemicals”

John Lovie

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”

News, South Whidbey Record

Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award

WIWSA

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

News, PFAS, Seattle Times

Heartache, anger in Central Washington over drinking-water wells tainted by ‘forever chemicals’

WIWSA

Heartache, anger in Central Washington over drinking-water wells tainted by ‘forever chemicals’ | The Seattle Times Brandi Hyatt, featured in this article, is another recipient along with Whidbey Island Water Systems Association of a Public Participation Grant for PFAS in … Continue reading Heartache, anger in Central Washington over drinking-water wells tainted by ‘forever chemicals’

Drought, News, Seattle Times

A California city’s water supply is expected to run out in two months

WIWSA

Officials project Coalinga, Calif., will use up its allotted water before the end of the year — possibly forcing the city to buy water at exorbitant prices. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/a-california-citys-water-supply-is-expected-to-run-out-in-two-months/ Continue reading A California city’s water supply is expected to run out in two months

Circle of Blue, News, PFAS

‘Forever chemicals’ are everywhere. The battle over who pays to clean them up is just getting started.

WIWSA

‘Forever chemicals’ are everywhere. The battle over who pays to clean them up is just getting started. – POLITICO State and local governments across the country are suing manufacturers of toxic chemicals that are contaminating much of the nation’s drinking … Continue reading ‘Forever chemicals’ are everywhere. The battle over who pays to clean them up is just getting started.

News, Seattle Times

Whidbey Island waters undergoing testing will be dyed red

WIWSA

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/whidbey-island-waters-undergoing-testing-will-be-dyed-red-on-monday/ The waters of Whidbey Island will run red Monday with the fluorescent hue of rhodamine, a non-toxic dye being used by the state to survey wastewater movement and its impact on local shellfish. The Washington Department of Health is evaluating … Continue reading Whidbey Island waters undergoing testing will be dyed red

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