Americans are the world’s biggest water consumers. By 9 a.m., after showering, using the bathroom, brushing our teeth and having a cup of coffee, each of us typically has used more than 30 gallons of water. – cbsnews.com
Author: Ed Boutros
New Mexico Dairy Pollution Sparks ‘Manure War’ – NPR
The New Mexico Environment Department reports that two-thirds of the state’s 150 dairies are contaminating groundwater with excess nitrogen from cattle excrement. While no one wants to drive the milk cows out of the state, many want the dairies to clean up their act. – NPR
Millions in U.S. Drink Contaminated Water, Records Show – NYTimes.com
More than 20 percent of water treatment systems have violated key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. – NYTimes.com
Texas officials: We’re running out of water
FORT WORTH, Texas — With the Texas population expected to nearly double over the next 50 years, lawmakers and water experts gathered Monday to convey an important message: We’re running out of water. – Associated Press
EPA to reconsider water transfers rule
I can’t find this on EPA’s web site, but BNA’s U.S. Law Week and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies are reporting that the agency plans to reconsider the Bush-era rule exempting water transfers… – legalplanet.wordpress.com
U.S. Water Use Declines Despite 30% Population Increase
The U.S. Department of the Interior reports that overall water consumption in the United States has declined in the past 25 years, even though the population has increased 30% and use by individual American households has increased. – cleantechnica.com
Robot Fish Could Monitor Water Quality
Nature inspires technology for an engineer and an ecologist teamed up at Michigan State University. They’re developing robots that use advanced materials to swim like fish to probe underwater environments. – MedicalNewsToday.com
NY Times – For Water Agencies, Conservation = Layoffs
Homeowners are doing such a good job at conserving water in some drought-stricken areas that water agencies have been forced to adjust to lost revenues and layoffs. – NYTimes.com
U.S. Water Use Declines, But Points to Troubling Trends, Says USGS Report
U.S. Geological Survey’s newest five-year report (2000-2005) reveals positive trends and potential problems for U.S. water use. – CircleOfBlue.org
EPA Testing Environmentally Friendly Parking Lot Concepts
In an effort to help reduce pollution runoff from paved parking lots, the Environmental Protection Agency is testing a variety of permeable paving materials at its Edison, N.J., facility. – EnvironmentalLeader.com