Free Republic

"Forever chemicals" are widespread in the environment, and new research finds they can be detected in about 45% of U.S. tap water samples. The chemicals are per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, and their spread through drinking water—both tap and well—may be even higher because researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) were unable to test for all of them, CNN reported. These synthetic substances have been linked to a variety of health issues, including cancer, liver damage, hormone suppression, decreased fertility, obesity, high cholesterol and thyroid disease. To gauge the impact on drinking water, a team used water...

“I have wanted to share with you today the five axes on which Egypt’s vision to face current challenges is based to put our region on the road of sustainable and comprehensive stability,” the president said. Arab’s top issue The first axis affirms the importance of reaching a “fair, comprehensive and ultimate” solution to the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution based on the relevant international resolutions, El-Sisi said. ... Democracy, human rights Second, El-Sisi affirmed the importance of building societies on the foundations of democracy, citizenship, equality, respect for human rights, renouncement of extremist ideologies and...

AWWA has joined with the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies and the National Rural Water Association in developing "A National Agenda for Drinking Water" to assist President-Elect Barack Obama and his incoming administration. The report addresses topics including economic stimulus, long-term infrastructure investment, drinking water standards, source water protection, climate change, and system security. It specifically asks for “dedicated funding” for water infrastructure in any economic stimulus package, “dispersed in such a way as to be quickly accessed by utility managers, with a minimum of delay and ‘red tape.’” It calls the $1 billion included...

<p>When threatened by potential disaster — whether a hurricane track or an elevated homeland security threat level — most individuals buy bottled water. It's a natural instinct, since water is essential for life. That necessity also makes drinking-water systems an inviting target for terrorists.</p>

<p>A little-known $3.46 billion bond measure to buy coastal lands and improve water quality has landed on the statewide ballot for November amid criticism that it is skewed toward environmental priorities and projects in Southern California.</p> <p>The initiative -- called the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 by its proponents -- was drafted principally by Joe Caves, an environmental lawyer and lobbyist in Sacramento, and is backed by the Nature Conservancy and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.</p>