Latest Water quality News

Trump rescinds funding freeze but uncertainty lives on for wide array of environmental programs

Jan. 29, 2025 17:41 PM EST

A chaotic back-and-forth over President Donald Trump's freeze on federal grants and loans has farmers, activists, organizations and businesses wondering whether they will receive the funding they rely on. It's funding that among many other things is being used to address...

Communities in Washington state wade into debate over adding fluoride to drinking water

Jan. 29, 2025 12:54 PM EST

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Three cities in southwest Washington have joined the list of communities nationally that have revisited the issue of adding cavity-preventing fluoride to drinking water. City council members in Longview plan to discuss the issue Thursday during a public...

What US adults think of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his views on vaccines, fluoride and raw milk

Jan. 29, 2025 10:23 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine advocacy is outside the mainstream. His previous statements on abortion could alienate Republicans. But a new poll finds that not all of his controversial health goals are unpopular — in fact, at least one has broad support among Democrats...

Contaminated drinking water is a growing concern for cities facing wildfires

Jan. 14, 2025 10:38 AM EST

As fires continue to burn across Los Angeles, several utilities have declared their drinking water unsafe until extensive testing can prove otherwise. A warmer, drier climate means wildfires are getting worse, and encroaching on cities — with devastating impact. Toxic chemicals...

Boil-water advisory in Virginia's capital to be lifted Saturday at the earliest, mayor says

Jan. 10, 2025 13:07 PM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A boil-water advisory in Virginia's capital will remain in place at least until Saturday morning, officials said, leaving residents without drinkable tap water for a fourth day following an outage at the city's treatment facility. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula...

Clean tap water isn't flowing in Virginia's capital as residents find creative ways to cope

Jan. 09, 2025 17:49 PM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Theresa Fulgham wasn’t going to wait any longer. After days without water in Virginia’s capital that prompted some residents to melt snow to flush toilets, it was time to get cleaned up. “We need a shower today. Enough is enough,” Fulgham, a live-in...

Houseplants that don't require soil and can be displayed any which way? Look to air plants

Jan. 07, 2025 07:47 AM EST

If you’re looking for a houseplant that’s as unique as it is low-maintenance, let me introduce you to air plants, members of the Tillandsia genus in the Bromeliad family. I first became acquainted with Tillandsia circa 2007, when I was invited to tour the Epcot Flower and Garden...

Malaysia turns away 2 boats with nearly 300 Rohingya refugees after dozens landed on island

Jan. 04, 2025 09:27 AM EST

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian authorities said Saturday that they have turned away two boats carrying nearly 300 people believed to be Muslim Rohingya refugees who were found to have entered the country illegally. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said that it had...

Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals'

Dec. 27, 2024 12:56 PM EST

Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was filed...

Company official charged in 2022 oil-chemical discharge into Michigan's Flint River

Dec. 23, 2024 18:24 PM EST

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The president of a chemical company has been charged in connection with the unauthorized discharge of oil that left a miles-long dark, oily sheen on the Flint River in Michigan more than two years ago. Rajinder Singh Minhas, 60, of Rochester, Michigan, was...