A day to celebrate fresh water was recommended to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. Since then, World Water Day has been celebrated each year on March 22.The theme of this year’s celebration is cooperation across organizations and governments to improve access to healthy water. Since 1990, the number of people … Read more
The Minnesota Department of Health says that private well owners should test their water. Last week was National Groundwater Awareness Week. More than a million Minnesotans get their drinking water from private wells. Many are not tested for bacteria and chemicals such as arsenic and nitrate. Public health officials say that “as many as 25 … Read more
Food & Water Watch has released a statement commenting on the sequestration battle in Washington. Food Poisoning Bulletin has already told you about the effects those mandatory budget cuts may have on food safety by cutting the hours of USDA inspectors. Sequestration will also affect the State Revolving Funds, which supports communities’ drinking and wastewater … Read more
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is recommending that anyone who has purchased Poland Spring 3- or 5- gallon water bottles check them for gasoline odors before using. Clean water should not have any type of chemical smell; it is odorless. After Hurricane Sandy, when gasoline shortages were reported in New … Read more
The bacteria E. coli has been found in the drinking water of the city of Kingston, Georgia, according to CBS Atlanta. In addition, E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply in Horn Lake, Mississippi, according to wmctv.com. There is no information about this problem posted on either city’s web site, but boil water notices … Read more
It’s been more than 10 years since Julia Roberts made Erin Brockovich a household name. But the cause that made Brockovich famous is still making headlines. In a lawsuit filed against the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) yesterday, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Environmental Working Group say the agency has failed … Read more
The CDC has released a study titled “Lead in Drinking Water and Human Blood Lead Levels in the United States” in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report, dated August 10, 2012, reviews publications on childhood lead poisoning, sources of lead exposure for adults and children, and the Safe Drinking Water Act Lead and … Read more
The boil-water advisory has been lifted for people who live and work west of the Willamette River and have Portland city water. On Saturday, July 21, 2012, Portland’s water bureau issued a ‘Boil Water Notice’ after a second test was positive for bacterial contamination in Reservoir 3 inWashington Park. An investigation into the source of the contamination … Read more
The Minnesota Department of Health has recommended No Contact with the water at several beaches along the shore of Lake Superior. The beaches are monitored on Mondays every week during the summer months. The DOH announced today that 42nd Avenue East Beach and Brighton Beach in East Duluth both have high levels of E. coli bacteria. In addition, Minnesota … Read more
E.coli levels in the drinking water supply for the city of Aberdeen, SD have reached dangerous levels, prompting city officials to issue a boil water advisory. Aberdeen residents should not drink tap water without boiling it first. Before it is safe to drink, the water needs to boil for a full minute. “Boiled or bottled water … Read more