Water / Public News Service

Researchers say microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size. (James Thew/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Tiny plastic pieces enter the body in ways you'd never think of

By Julieta Cardenas for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

Juana Valle's well is one of 20 sites tested in California's San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast regions in the first round of preliminary sampling by University of California-Berkeley researchers and the Community Water Center. The results showed 96 parts per trillion of total PFAS in her water, including 32 parts per trillion of PFOS - both considered potentially hazardous amounts. (Hannah Norman/KFF Health News)

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Toxic 'forever chemicals' taint rural CA wells

By Hannah Norman for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Ser…

The Kootenai River runs through the northern part of the Idaho panhandle. (Gregory Johnston/Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 23, 2024

Idaho's role in Canadian mining pollution cleanup

Cross-border governing bodies, including the state of Idaho, are taking steps to address mining pollution coming from Canada. Coal mining pollution …

Colorado's San Luis Valley produces two billion pounds of potatoes a year, the second largest yield in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 23, 2024

Colorado’s new tool for preserving aquifers for farming

By Jennifer Oldham for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public…

President-elect Donald Trump sought to reduce the Environmental Protection Agency's budget by up to 30% during his first administration and significantly altered or reversed nearly 100 environmental rules. (Adobe Stock)

Maine voters who backed Trump still want EPA protections

A majority of Republicans and Democrats oppose attempts to weaken the regulatory power of the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a new …

The work of GreenLatinos Texas, centers around empowering frontline environmental justice and conservation advocates. Members are actively engaging with local communities to understand their campaign goals and identify areas where support is needed. (Photo courtesy of Green Latinos)

TX group works to give Latinos seat at table in fight against methane

Members of the environmental nonprofit GreenLatinos are involved in a push to get more Latinos across Texas involved in the fight against methane gas…

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources requires livestock producers to file a manure management plan for the livestock waste they apply to their fields as fertilizer. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa trains CAFO operators on manure application

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is training operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations on the safest ways to apply manure to their f…

As winter takes hold, Minnesota farmers are getting repairs done on equipment and doing other tasks ahead of the next planting season. Some are also hoping their winter cover crops aid next year's growing with better soil and different types of harvest to sell. (Adobe Stock)

Potential moneymaker, water protector sits on MN's frozen farm fields

Clean drinking water doesn't just come from replacing lead pipes. Solutions also rest on Minnesota's farm fields, and this time of year, some rural …

Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline is currently routed as close as 11 feet to a riverbank caused by flooding and erosion. (Bad River: A Story of Defiance)

Documentary brings WI tribe's pipeline resistance to national stage

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servic…

A New York law will ban the use of PFAS in outdoor clothing used in wet weather conditions but not until 2028. (Adobe Stock)

NY to ban PFAS in clothing; wider bans being considered

A New York law takes effect in January, banning the use of PFAS in clothing. The law is another step in ending the unnecessary use of the long-…

Iowa is the nation's top hog producer, with a population of 23.4 million pigs. This means that for every Iowan, there are 7.3 pigs. Hogs are routinely raised in large confinements, which are known to pollute air and groundwater. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa livestock producers increase antibiotic use

Livestock being raised with antibiotics is on the rise in Iowa, the nation's number one hog producer. Doctors say the trend increases the risk of …

Seven in 10 Utah residents say protecting water, air, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities on public lands is more important than maximizing the amount of land available for drilling and mining. (Galatas)

Utah lawsuit could affect public lands in Colorado, nation

As the U.S. Supreme Court considers a lawsuit brought by Utah officials, asking the court to transfer more than 18 million acres of federal lands to …

Lake Mead's water level is up by 16 feet after two years of voluntary conservation by California water users, according to the Colorado River Board of California. (Adobe Stock)

NV advocates demand Congress address climate change

Nevada climate advocates say the impacts of climate change are only getting worse in the Silver State. They're now demanding Congress make it a …

During the June floods in eastern South Dakota this year, the river level at the Big Sioux gauge hit 44.98 feet, breaking the previous record high by 7.28 feet, according to the High Plains Regional Climate Center. (Adobe Stock)

Weak protections for SD wetlands could lead to more flood damage

Wetlands protect against floods, like those some in eastern South Dakota experienced this June and researchers warned the growing presence of factory …

In addition to thousands of jobs, analysis shows outdoor recreation annually contributes $3.2 billion to New Mexico's economy. (Upper Pecos Watershed Association)

NM designates 250 miles as 'Outstanding National Resource Waters'

A New Mexico agency has stepped up vigilance of the state's limited water resources. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission …

The Union of Concerned Scientists warns that several Midwestern states, including Minnesota, could lose $22 billion in flood mitigation benefits as industrial farm expansion threatens wetlands. (Freepik)

New research says Midwest is prime target for wetlands loss

Minnesota is credited for having strong wetland protections. But the research community warns the growing presence of factory farms in the Midwest …

Florida has numerous permitted oil and gas wells, but conservation groups, local leaders and public members oppose a proposed oil drilling project near the Apalachicola River for potential risks to the Apalachicola Bay ecosystem. (Pixabay)

Apalachicola River oil drilling proposal roils the water

A controversial oil drilling proposal near Florida's Apalachicola River is drawing sharp criticism ahead of a key administrative hearing next week…

According to an EPA report, locations tested across the country had more than one PFAS chemical in their drinking water. (samopauser/Adobe Stock)

TX Sierra Club warns about possible changes to water standards

The most current study from the Environmental Protection Agency estimated more than 143 million Americans are at risk of drinking water tainted with P…

The Kalamazoo oil spill occurred on July 25, 2010, when Enbridge's Line 6B ruptured near Marshall, Michigan, spilling more than 1 million gallons of tar-sands oil into Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River. (Brandon Schultz/Adobe Stock)

MI students unite to shut down controversial oil pipeline

Oil and Water Don't Mix, a nonprofit group opposing Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline, is leading student efforts across the Upper Great Lakes to advocate …

Agricultural researchers said farmers can now use technology to evaluate different crop zones and individually adjust how they irrigate and fertilize each area to improve their yield. (Adobe Stock/AI)

High tech brings efficiency but adds complexity to rural SC farming

By Jessica Kutz for The People Sentinel.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for South Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Ne…

A new report from the University of California-Santa Barbara argued nature-based agriculture can reduce the environmental footprint of fossil fuel-based, chemical-intensive agriculture while providing good jobs in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Growing sustainable agriculture by investing in skilled workforce

As Colorado experiences more frequent extreme weather events, prolonged drought and loss of biodiversity because of a changing climate, farmers and …

Hanford is a decommissioned nuclear reactor site in Washington state, on the Columbia River. (jdoms/Adobe Stock)

Nuclear energy proposal in NW 'distraction' from proven renewables

Interest in nuclear energy as a solution to "dirty" sources of power is growing, including a proposal in the Northwest. However, some critics say it …

New nuclear-energy technology has been proposed but not yet built in the United States. (Ezume Images/Adobe Stock)

Nuclear power proposal on Columbia River raises alarm

Interest in nuclear energy as a solution to "dirty" sources of power is growing, including a proposal in the Northwest. However, some critics said it …

About 30% of agricultural methane emissions stem from manure storage. The other 70% comes from the digestive systems of livestock. (Adobe Stock)

CT, US take steps to mitigate methane emissions

By Seth Millstein for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Connecticut News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News …

The Rio Grande and its tributaries provide drinking water for about 13 million people in the United States and Mexico. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit limbo over disputed NM, TX water rights

A delegation of New Mexico lawmakers is asking the federal government to quickly resolve long-standing litigation affecting water users in the Rio Gra…

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida ranks 15th among states in the number of farms, and 29th for the amount of land farmed in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Farmers, aquaculturists unite to protect Florida's land, water

For decades, Florida's upstream farmers and downstream aquaculturists have been at odds over water quality and environmental impacts. Now, the new …

In 2022, flash floods hit the hills of eastern Kentucky, leaving in their wake millions of dollars of devastation. (Adobe Stock)

Study looks at what causes flash floods in the Appalachian mountains

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection for the Daily Yonder-Public News Service Collaborat…

Food systems are responsible for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with meat production, particularly beef, being a significant driver. (CanYalicn/Adobe Stock)

From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

The U.S. International Joint Commission was asked in March 2024 to address the effects of transboundary water pollution in the Kootenai River Watershed, and should make its decisions by March 2026. (Adobe Stock)

Montana joins tribes to target Canadian mining pollution

Montana has joined a coalition of Indigenous groups working to address Canadian coal mining pollution in the state's Kootenai River. The …

Consumer advocates say higher grocery prices are no longer the result of supply-chain issues, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Group blames corporate greed for MT food price gouging

Farm advocates say price gouging on meat and poultry are taking a toll on Montanans. A farm group cites U.S. Department of Agriculture data as …

Built in 1953 and outlasting its original lifespan, Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline transports 22 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily across 645 miles of terrain through Michigan and Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Controversial Line 5 project faces more legal action in WI

A legal challenge is expected since the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has granted key permit approvals to a Canadian energy company to rer…

The Susquehanna River is Chesapeake Bay's largest tributary, contributing 50% of its fresh water. The river is nearly one mile wide at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and has a normal flow of 18 million gallons per minute at Havre de Grace, Maryland. (Khairil/Adobe)

Report: Chesapeake Bay cleanup deadline looms as officials propose next phase

Despite some progress, Pennsylvania and other states in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are unlikely to meet their 2025 pollution commitments to reduce …

The Buffalo River Watershed Alliance was created to help preserve and protect the scenic beauty and pristine water quality of the Buffalo National River by opposing and preventing the construction and operation of industrial concentrated animal feeding operations within the Buffalo River watershed. (ODell Outside/Adobe Stock)

AR nonprofit works to protect Buffalo National River from contamination

Members of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance are supporting two moratoriums on concentrated animal feeding operations to be voted on today by the A…

An Emmy award-winning television spot features regenerative ranching practices in grasslands on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. (Ron Nichols)

SD PSA on grasslands wins regional Emmy award

Native grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem in North America. A South Dakota advocacy group hopes its educational campaign will reach a …

The latest Census of Agriculture renewed concerns about the growing size of farms around the United States, prompting more calls for farmers to embrace climate-smart practices. (Adobe Stock)

Successful ballot question in MN seen as way for more climate-friendly farming

Minnesota voters this week signed off on giving a longer shelf life to a funding tool helping protect the state's natural resources and its backers se…

Four companies control 85% of the beef processed in the United States, according to data just released by the advocacy group Farm Action. Consolidation continues to grow in the agriculture industry. (Adobe Stock)

Montana's agriculture industry becomes more consolidated

Advocates for a fair, sustainable and healthy food system have released a report showing increasing consolidation in Montana's agriculture sector…

Animal-rights advocates are testing whether asking for people's votes can be more effective than asking people to change their diet. (Galatas) Animal rights advocates are testing whether asking for people�s votes can be more effective than asking people to change their diet. (Galatas)

Denver could become first city to ban slaughterhouses

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

A proposed refinery project would be located at Port Westward near Clatskanie, Oregon. (Sam Beebe, Ecotrust/Wikimedia Commons)

Proposed refinery on Columbia River draws objections from public

A proposed project to build a refinery on an estuary along the Columbia River is getting pushback from the public. NEXT Renewable Fuels is proposing …

The pesticide Dacthal is often used on vegetable farms for crops like cabbage and onions. (Adobe Stock)

EPA bans weedkiller Dacthal, used on WV farms

The Environmental Protection Agency has banned the pesticide dacthal, frequently used on farms in West Virginia and other states. Mounting evidence …

The Wisconsin State Division of Hearings and Appeals has the power to modify permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or require the agency to include stronger terms and conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Kewaunee County residents take legal action against dairy CAFO

Some northeast Wisconsin residents are challenging a wastewater permit issued by the state to a large dairy operation. The Wisconsin Department of …

This year, Michigan introduced new tools to boost voter confidence, such as a system for tracking absentee ballots that alerts voters to any issues that might affect acceptance.<br />(Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit pushes for ecofriendly legislation in MI

With Election Day near, the League of Conservation Voters is pushing for Michigan legislation to protect democracy, air, land and waterways across …

The Klamath River was once home to the third largest salmon run on the West Coast. (Piotr Wawrzyniuk/Adobe Stock)

After 100 years, salmon return to Upper Klamath River

Wild Chinook salmon have returned to the Upper Klamath River less than two months after the largest dam-removal project in U.S. history to remove …

Critics of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations said the manure from sites is often kept in open-air lagoons, where it is stored until it is sprayed to fertilize farm fields. Any excess manure not soaked up by crops or grasses ends up in aquifers and waterways. (Adobe Stock)

Legal case highlights concern factory farms get a free pass from EPA

By Nina Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

Atlantic salmon is the dominant type of fish farmed globally. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

Although banned in WA waters, fish farming could still pose threat

October is National Seafood Month and the fish on your plate might not be coming from where you think. The U.S. imports 90% of the seafood it …

Researchers at the World Resources Institute said the average American can cut their environmental footprint in half by reducing dairy and meat consumption. (Molly Condit/Sinergia Animal/We Animals)

Congressional briefing promotes dairy digesters to curb methane emissions

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Because of their remote nature and limited capacity to access financial help, many of New Mexico's colonias rely on water wells not built to code. (GAO)

NM's colonias need oversight to improve water, wastewater systems

Federal funding for infrastructure improvements in colonias, predominately rural, Hispanic communities near the U.S.-Mexico border, including 150 in …

Around 9% of children in Syracuse have high lead levels in their blood. Even low-level lead exposure can harm a child's ability to learn and is linked to attention deficit disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Syracuse water contains dangerously high lead levels

New data show lead levels in Syracuse's drinking water are higher than those in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey. The city's tests show lead …

Three sinks show wastewater after it goes through each purification step at a water treatment plant in Orange County, Calif. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline)

Colorado water districts explore methods to recycle sewage water

Colorado is one of a handful of states to allow water utilities to purify sewage for use as tap water and cities like Castle Rock are preparing to mak…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - December 24, 2024

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