drinking water

A study released by the U.S. Geological Survey on Wednesday estimates that at least 45% of U.S. tap water could be contaminated with at least one form of PFAS, which could have harmful health effects.

'Forever chemicals' could be in nearly half of U.S. tap water, a federal study finds

2:57pm July 06, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

A new government study estimates that at least 45% of the nation's tap water could be contaminated with one or more forms of PFAS. Here's what to do if you're worried about what's in your faucet.

Michael Regan, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, at an event in 2021. The Biden administration is announcing a plan to regulate "forever chemicals" in drinking water.

EPA moves to limit toxic 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

11:25am March 14, 2023

by The Associated Press

The EPA proposed limiting the amount of harmful "forever chemicals" in drinking water to the lowest detectable levels, a move it said will save thousands of lives and prevent serious illnesses.

Hurricane Fiona, which made landfall on Sunday, has damaged reservoirs and water filtration plants. Puerto Rico's only water agency is scrambling to restore services, but officials say they're waiting for flooded rivers to subside.

Environment

Puerto Rico has lost more than power. The vast majority of people have no clean water

10:04am September 20, 2022

by Vanessa Romo

More than 760,000 customers have been left with no access to clean running water since Hurricane Fiona struck the island on Sunday.

Michelle Hartfield, a public information officer for the Salvation Army, takes notes while Booker Ellis, Chris Bonham and Walter Houston unload water donated by the Salvation Army to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind on Thursday.

National

In Jackson, Miss., volunteers work hard to bring water to residents who need help

12:28pm September 05, 2022

by Stephan Bisaha

Local nonprofits have been delivering water directly to some residents, but the groups are still working on scaling up to dealing with a problem that stretches across the city.

Queue Listen Now

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan speaks at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, N.C., on April 14. The EPA is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds in drinking water pose h

EPA warns that even tiny amounts of chemicals found in drinking water pose risks

11:47am June 15, 2022

by The Associated Press

The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected.

Environment

Greensboro reports another 1,4-Dioxane discharge in Cape Fear River Basin

5:02pm November 09, 2021

by Keri Brown

A high level of a chemical that federal regulators call a likely human carcinogen has once again been discharged into the Cape Fear River Basin.

Environment

Greensboro Will Begin PFAS Pilot Testing At Mitchell Plant

4:10pm August 20, 2021

by Keri Brown

Greensboro is getting ready to take the next step in a project that will help reduce PFAS contamination in its drinking water supply.

Michael Regan speaks during his confirmation hearing in February to be the Environmental Protection Agency administrator. In an NPR interview Thursday, Regan says technology that helps eliminate emissions is key to tackling climate change.

EPA Chief Says Biden Infrastructure Bill Will Help The U.S. Face Climate Change

1:12pm April 08, 2021

by Steve Inskeep

EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the nation's water infrastructure needs to be "stronger and more resilient to face the climate change impacts that we are seeing right here right now."

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

State Awards $282 Million For Water, Sewer Projects

10:57am February 23, 2021

by Neal Charnoff

North Carolina has awarded $282 million for infrastructure projects statewide.

Bushfires followed by intense rain can cause unsettled sediment and debris to contaminate local water reservoirs. Melbourne's water authority invested in catchments to combat this threat, though scientists are still trying to understand when and how these

Science

With Australia's Hillsides Stripped Bare By Fire, Scientists Rush To Predict Mudflows

9:00am February 10, 2020

Heavy rains in eastern Australia are causing mudslides and debris flows in areas that burned. Scientists are trying to predict when and where slides are likely to happen.