Global Scans · Clean Water and Sanitation · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 6. Ensure availability of water and sanitation for all.

• [New] Since PFNA is environmentally persistent and products containing PFNA are still in use and may be imported into the U.S., there is a substantial likelihood that environmental contamination of sources of drinking water will continue. Federal Register
• [New] Since PFHxS is environmentally persistent and products containing PFHxS are still in use and may be imported into the United States, the EPA anticipates environmental contamination to sources of drinking water will continue. Federal Register
• [New] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing an adaptive and flexible National Primary Drinking Water Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act to manage risks of per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. Federal Register
• [New] If testing reveals MCLs that exceed regulatory standards, water systems will have until 2029 to implement solutions to reduce any PFAS in their drinking water. JD Supra
• [New] UNESCO threatened last year to put Venice on its list of heritage in danger, citing mass tourism and also rising water levels attributed to climate change. The Nation
• [New] By setting stringent monitoring and compliance requirements, the EPA aims to mitigate health risks associated with PFAS contamination in drinking water and enhance public health outcomes for communities nationwide. The Water Collaborative
• [New] In early April, the Environmental Protection Agency set the first national limits for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water; water purveyors will have five years to comply. Vox
• [New] By 2027, water systems will have to demonstrate initial monitoring for PFAS in their water systems at a rate depending on the system size and source water type (e.g., groundwater versus surface water). phys.org
• [New] The State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously Wednesday to set the maximum level for chromium-6 in drinking water at 10 parts per billion, a limit that state officials determined will significantly reduce health risks. Los Angeles Times
• [New] If levels exceed the MCLs, water systems have until 2029 to implement solutions to reduce PFAS concentrations and must notify the public of any violations. GHD
• [New] The Panama Canal will permit more ships to pass through daily, attributed to indications of improving water levels amid the ongoing drought conditions. SAFETY4SEA
• [New] Even when there was no known source, levels of PFAS in groundwater and surface water were found to exceed the US EPA hazard index in around 30% and 15% of samples, respectively. Chemistry World
• [New] The EPA estimates that between 4,100 and 6,700 public water systems serving up to 105 million people will be required to take action to reduce PFAS above the regulatory standards. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Starting in 2029, water providers that exceed MCLs must have PFAS-reducing solutions in place to bring levels down to new MCL standards. Los Alamos Reporter
• [New] Public Water Systems across Ohio will soon be tasked with testing and treating drinking water for chemicals called PFAS, but some water systems are raising concerns about cost of removing so-called forever chemicals. WVXU
• [New] EPA plans to provide an online calculator to help water systems determine their Hazard Index compliance. Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog
• [New] The US EPA is taking a critical step to address the growing threat from a broad category of chemicals known as PFOAs or PFAs in drinking water. The White House
• [New] When drinking water contaminants are linked to health harms such as cancer, the EPA when developing health advisories must assume the safe level is zero, or the level at which there is no known or expected risk. Environmental Working Group
• Some industry groups and local officials are dissatisfied with EPA's new rules, questioning the economic burden placed on water systems and manufacturers and predicting that certain manufacturing industries will seek residence in countries with less stringent environmental protections. JD Supra
• Public water systems will likely need to implement one or more available technologies to reliably detect (and meet) PFAS at the levels set by EPA. Jones Day
• Water levels were expected to drop in Orsk after historic flooding caused by a burst dam displaced thousands of people in Russia's southern Ural region. Yahoo News

Last updated: 28 April 2024