The following is a transcript of the WaterWorld Weekly Newscast for August 15, 2016.
Hi, I'm Angela Godwin for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you water and wastewater news headlines for the week of xxDATExx. Coming up...
Researchers cautiously optimistic about Flint water quality
Olympic athlete's illness blamed on dirty water
Chevron Mining agrees to mine cleanup under new settlement
EPA orders Tarrytown to comply with Lead and Copper Rule
[story1]
According to findings released by Virginia Tech last week, the water quality in Flint, Michigan, is beginning to show signs of recovery.
The findings reflect data from sampling collected from 162 homes in July, which showed the 90th percentile lead level was 13.9 below the EPA action level.
Compared with testing from August 2015, the number of non-detect samples has increased from 9 percent to 45 percent.
Head researcher Dr. Marc Edwards said the trend is "very good." The corrosion control and other measures being implemented are working, he said, and "Flint's system is on its way to recovery."
Nonetheless, he reminded everyone that Flint's water is still not safe to drink and residents to continue using bottled water and filters until the EPA and the state advise otherwise.
[story2]
Belgium's Evi Van Acker fell ill last week after competing in the Laser Radial women's event at the Rio Olympics, presenting with a sever gastrointestinal illness that her medical team is blaming on polluted water.
According to her coach, Van Acker has been ill since July from a bacterial infection that causes dysentery and low energy levels, which has adversely affected her performance in the games.
A 16-month study by the Associated Press found high levels of viruses and bacteria in Rio's waterways, as well as trash and raw sewage.
A World Sailing spokesperson said that Van Acker's illness appears to be isolated; no other sailors have reported feeling ill.
[story3]
Under a new settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, EPA, and the state of New Mexico, Chevron Mining will perform $143 million in cleanup work at the Chevron Questa Mine Superfund site near Questa, New Mexico.
Under the agreement, the company will implement a pilot project to cover about 275 acres of the tailing facility where mine waste is stored, operate a water treatment plant and install groundwater extraction systems.
Chevron Mining will also pay over $5.2 million to reimburse EPA’s past costs for overseeing cleanup work at the site.
[story4]
The U.S. EPA is ordering the Village of Tarrytown, New York, to send lead and copper sampling results to the owners of homes tested between 2013 and 2015.
The order comes after an agency audit revealed Tarrytown had violated numerous provisions of the Lead and Copper Rule, including failing to properly evaluate the village’s water distribution system before establishing tap sampling locations and failing to meet requirements for properly identifying tap monitoring locations.
In Tarrytown's most recent round of lead and copper testing, four out of 31 samples exceeded EPA's action level for lead.
Under the order, the Village of Tarrytown must deliver consumer notices and conduct public education activities for individuals and organizations using the village’s water supply.
[OUTRO]
For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.
