On February 5, 2021, Oldsmar, Florida’s water treatment plant operators found themselves under attack. A hacker infiltrated the facility’s system and attempted to increase the water’s level of sodium hydroxide to over 100 times its normal amount. While sodium hydroxide is commonly used in water and wastewater treatment to remove heavy metal particles, large amounts of sodium hydroxide are poisonous to humans and can be deadly.  

In the last few years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have come under harsh scrutiny for the risks they pose to human health and to our surrounding environment. Governing bodies like the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are studying them to determine what kind of regulations must be instituted to protect public health. This includes limitations on these chemicals in wastewater—PFAS contaminate our collection systems, and current methods are insufficient to eliminate or remove them during treatment.

In the early 19th century, most of the water utilities in the U.S. were privately owned. Water utilities began shifting from private to public during the turn of the century in an effort to provide universal access to clean water. Today, many water systems are publicly owned. However, cities across the U.S. are now considering privatizing their water systems due to various economic and environmental factors.  

America’s drinking water infrastructure is getting a D, but it’s not something we can afford. From a wide lens, the reason our national drinking water infrastructure is failing is simple: It’s old and poorly maintained. But narrow the focus, and the explanation behind the failing grade is more complicated.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) became law in 1948 and quickly created lasting change regarding how we treat our nation’s water systems. The CWA ensures that dangerous pollutants don’t contaminate waterways, keeping them safe for fish, wildlife and people. Water is essential for all living creatures, so maintaining the integrity of our natural water supplies is vital. Waste and contamination are inevitable, but we can control how we respond to it.

After passing through Congress with nearly unanimous support in early October, the 2018 Water Infrastructure Act (WIA) landed on the president’s desk where it was signed into law. The Act is one of the most comprehensive pieces of infrastructure legislation passed this Congress and will authorize over $6 billion in federal spending on ports, harbors and waterways. The WIA is a combination of the newest version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that is passed by the federal government every two years and a Safe Drinking Water Act that the House produced. The legislation also authorizes the EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) for two more years and removes its pilot designation.

Are you familiar with common wastewater regulations and who enforces them? Find out by taking our Sewer Regulations Quiz and then challenge your coworkers to beat your score. 

With the start of summer comes hurricane season, but natural disasters—from blizzards to earthquakes—can disrupt daily life year round. The impact of natural disasters can be far-reaching and disrupt utilities and city operations. Floods, whether caused by snowmelt, hurricane, downpour or infrastructure damage, can quickly overwhelm collection systems and damage electric pump services. And earthquakes can destroy underground infrastructure in mere minutes.

The Clean Water Act (CWA), established in 1972, governs water pollution to protect human health and the environment. The CWA has two major parts: the provisions that authorize federal financial assistance for municipalities and the regulatory requirements that apply to industrial and municipal discharges. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating and enforcing the CWA, under which the EPA has set wastewater industry standards and national recommendations for addressing surface water pollutants. The EPA is given authority under the CWA in accordance with sections 308, 309 and 309(b) of the CWA.

Water pollution isn’t a new issue, but the widespread impact of pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) pollution has grown more worrisome as consumer habits have changed. While treated and potable waters have long contained chemicals and medications in minuscule amounts, the increase in pharmaceutical use is leading to greater concentrations. High levels of compounds originating from PPCPs have serious health and environmental repercussions.

From medications and antibiotics to lotions and fragrances, PPCPs are part of our everyday lives, and our consumption has consequences. Humans are one of the main contributors to PPCP pollution because we are unable to fully digest and absorb these products. We’re left to excrete or wash them down the drain. We even commonly flush unused pharmaceuticals to dispose of them. 

Farms are another source of this type of pollution. Livestock are often treated with antibiotics delivered through their food and water, which can easily escape into surrounding waterways. Tainted water is nothing new, but with new livestock drugs on the market, and in higher demand than ever before, this type of pollution is on the rise and having major consequences.