Latest news with #drinkingWater
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Urgent health alert issued for outback towns of Augathella, Charleville after deadly parasite found in shire's water supply
A potentially deadly organism known to cause a fatal brain infection has been detected in a southwest Queensland shire's water supply, prompting an urgent health warning. In a community health notice on August 7, the Murweh Shire Council announced Naegleria fowleri – a single-cell amoeba – had been detected in the drinking water supplying the towns of Augathella and Charleville. The towns had populations of 393 and 3971 respectively, according to the 2021 Census. Queensland Health says Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that occurs naturally in warm freshwater and soils across Australia. Infections generally occur when water containing the amoeba enters the nose under pressure. It can potentially lead to a rare - but fatal - disease known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when it travels to the brain. 'Naegleria fowleri is not infectious via drinking or skin contact,' the council's public health notice states. Murweh Shire Council chief executive Bruce Scott said the drinking water in both Augathella and Charleville was still safe for human consumption and it was not necessary to boil water for drinking, food preparation or for personal hygiene. 'As a precaution, the council is currently arranging the collection of further water samples to identify the extent of Naegleria fowleri colonisation in the drinking water supplies serving the communities of Charleville and Augathella,' Mr Scott said. 'Samples will also be collected from the Morven supply as a precaution.' A fact sheet issued by Queensland Health in relation to the detection confirmed the department was not aware of any illnesses attributable to the drinking water supply in either Charleville or Augathella. The detection of the organism followed a comprehensive water quality project commissioned by Queensland Health and undertaken by a university, which involved specialised testing not typically conducted by local water service providers. It marks the first-known confirmation of Naegleria fowleri in both towns' water supplies. But the risk of its presence still exists in unchlorinated water sourced from the Great Artesian Basin, especially where water cools below 40C. Six Queenslanders have died from complications caused by Naegleria fowleri since 2000 – all from private water suppliers where property owners bear the full responsibility for the supply and management of their own drinking water. The first symptoms of Naegleria fowleri start about five days after exposure, but can vary between one and 12 days. Early symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting and can progress to stiff neck, confusion, inattention to people and surroundings, seizures, hallucinations and coma.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Veolia Opens One of the Largest PFAS Treatment Plants in the U.S., Delivering High-Quality Drinking Water to Over 100,000 Delaware Residents
> Veolia's largest PFAS treatment plant sets global standard for protecting drinking water by removing regulated PFAS from up to 30 million gallons of water per day > Veolia is on pace to develop more than 100 treatment sites in America as part of its BeyondPFAS offering of end-to-end solutions for PFAS testing, treatment and responsible disposal WILMINGTON, Del., June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At a time when water is more vital than ever for public health and environmental protection, Veolia has built one of the largest PFAS treatment systems in the United States and the largest of its kind in the Northeast. The Stanton Water Treatment Plant will remove regulated PFAS compounds from drinking water and ensure high-quality drinking water for over 100,000 residents, fully meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) PFAS regulations. It establishes a replicable model for cost-effective PFAS treatment projects in water systems globally. The $35 million facility is in addition to 33 existing PFAS treatment systems Veolia already operates for water customers in the United States. Veolia will continue to install treatment systems to achieve PFAS treatment at more than 100 water production sites in the country in the coming years, which will help secure high-quality drinking water for almost 2 million people and comply with regulations in the most cost-effective way possible. Veolia's experience meeting the challenge in America has built a strong foundation to do it across the globe. The successful delivery of PFAS treatment for drinking water in Delaware exemplifies how Veolia's BeyondPFAS offering of end-to-end solutions can manage PFAS from testing through treatment and responsible disposal. About the plant Veolia began designing the Stanton PFAS system in early 2022, ahead of the new EPA regulations for some PFAS levels in drinking water, and worked methodically to deliver a state-of-the-art plant that minimized construction costs and left maximum flexibility for the future. It took three years to design and build the 17,600-square-foot facility which features 42 large vessels, each 22 feet high and filled with 40,000 pounds of granular activated carbon. The vessels are designed and optimized for the carbon material to adsorb regulated PFAS compounds from up to 30 million gallons of water per day that enters the plant from two nearby rivers. The massive vessels were installed first and the building was constructed around them, requiring precise coordination and timing during the construction process. The plant includes a laboratory to continually test new filtration media and treatment methods, providing additional flexibility and cost savings in the future. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Veolia leaders were joined by Delaware elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the achievement, which went from the drawing board to a working treatment plant in three years. Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, said: "In line with our GreenUp strategic program, this major infrastructure milestone highlights Veolia's strong commitment to delivering environmental security solutions to communities worldwide. Tackling micropollutants lies at the heart of our mission, and Veolia is proud to lead the way in testing, treating and responsibly disposing of regulated PFAS contaminants. For the 100,000 people who rely on high-quality water from Veolia in Delaware, the Stanton PFAS treatment system is a generational improvement in public health and environmental protection that will strengthen communities and create opportunities long into the future." "PFAS contamination poses a serious threat to public health, and addressing it at the source is essential," said Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. "The Stanton Water Treatment Plant will play a vital role in tackling this challenge by treating PFAS on the front end of the water system. Veolia's leadership in developing one of the largest treatment facilities in the country reflects a strong commitment to proactive public health protection and underscores our administration's dedication to ensuring clean, safe water for Delawareans." Karine Rougé, CEO of Municipal Water for Veolia in North America, said: "I'm inspired by how swiftly and effectively Veolia responded to the PFAS challenge in Delaware through this state-of-the-art facility, which now sets a global standard. The lessons from this project will help Veolia deploy similar water quality improvements faster, more efficiently and more effectively. We're proud of our team for designing and building this vital project so quickly and so well, and we're thrilled that so many of our customers are able to benefit from their tireless work." ABOUT VEOLIA IN NORTH AMERICA Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country's largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America. ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024. The information contained herein is based on the Veolia group's understanding and know-how of the scientific, regulatory and technical fields discussed herein as of the time of publication. No contractual undertaking or offer is made on the basis hereof and no representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for the purpose of the relevant information. View source version on Contacts MEDIA RELATIONS Laurent Obadia – Evgeniya Mazalova Anna Beaubatie - Aurélien Sarrosquy - Charline Bouchereau Tel.+ 33 (0)1 85 57 86 INVESTOR RELATIONSSelma Bekhechi – Ariane de Lamaze Tel. + 33 (0)1 85 57 84 76 / 84 80investor-relations@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Cleanup underway after hydrocarbon spill in Muskrat River in Pembroke, Ont.
The City of Pembroke says there are no concerns about the town's drinking water after a hydrocarbon spill in the Muskrat River this weekend. The city and the Ministry of Environment are investigating the oil spill in the river over the weekend. 'Staff are working to determine the source and absorbent cloth across the river will stay in place until then,' the city said in a media release Monday morning. 'Cleanup activities are ongoing, with no further contaminant going into the river. The drinking water system is producing clean drinking water as usual.' City officials say no drinking water quality advisories are in place, and the city has not been informed of any concerns with the overall river safety.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
City of Spokane releases its 2024 report on drinking water quality
Jun. 10—The city of Spokane met all state and federal drinking water standards last year, according to its required 2024 report on drinking water quality measuring levels of contaminants and "forever" chemicals in its source wells. PFAS, also known as polyfluoroalkyl substances, refers to a group of human-made chemicals that has been used in consumer products since the 1950s. Think nonstick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, certain cleaning products or fire-fighting foam. Exposure to high levels of these chemicals has been linked to detrimental health effects, including decreased fertility, developmental delays and a higher risk of some type of cancers, such as kidney and prostate cancer. The components of these substances usually take hundreds or thousands of years to break down, and their widespread use has resulted in their prevalence everywhere — including in our drinking water. Washington established state action levels in 2022 to address PFAS, providing thresholds for the amount of contamination drinking water can contain before specific state actions must take place. In April 2024, the EPA announced a new federal standard: a maximum containment level of 4 parts per trillion of PFAS. Although the EPA requires water purveyors to meet this federal regulatory standard by 2027, the city has already updated its testing and monitoring procedures to account for the contaminants. "We're all kind of learning together," public works communications manager Kirstin Davis said. "Some of the prior standards didn't have as complicated and as detailed of testing as what's available now." The city of Spokane detected low levels of PFAs in three well locations: Havana Well, Nevada Well and Ray Street Well. During a test in February, the Ray Street Well measured slightly above the federal standard at 6.1 parts per trillion of PFOS, a specific type of PFA. EPA rules, however, measure compliances based on a four-quarter rolling average of test results. Further testing of that well in June and October resulted in lower levels of PFAs detected, making the average just below the federal limit. The report also analyzed other levels of inorganic chemicals and found traces of arsenic, barium, lead, copper, nitrate and radionuclides in the source wells, all below the federal limit. This year's Spokane City Water Quality report is accessible on the City's water quality webpage.
E&E News
04-06-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
EPA seeks more time on PFAS water rule
EPA is still evaluating how it plans to regulate 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, a process that has taken 'longer than anticipated,' the Trump administration said in a court filing Wednesday. The agency is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for another 45-day pause in litigation challenging last year's first-ever national drinking water rule for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. EPA has said it will maintain stringent limits in tap water for two substances, PFOA and PFOS, while giving water utilities an additional two years to meet those limits. But it is still considering to what extent it will regulate other PFAS included in the Biden-era rule. EPA says it will propose a new rule in the fall. Advertisement 'EPA is still evaluating the impact of its planned reconsideration and compliance extension proceedings on the issues presented in this case,' attorneys for EPA said in the new court filing. 'This evaluation has taken longer than anticipated at the time EPA filed its last motion to govern.'
