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Water Pollution & Quality
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Airline Water Supplies 
 Information related to the September 2004 release of data about the safety of drinking water supplies on passenger aircraft. Features test results, a FAQ, a fact sheet, and updates on aircraft water testing and disinfection. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/safewater/airlinewater/questions.html Topics: Beverages, Health, Health, Pollution, Transportation, Travel, Water Last updated Oct 12, 2009 Beach Standards, Monitoring, & Notification
This site provides the results of an annual federal survey of the incidence of disease-causing bacteria at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. "Find Your Beach" leads to an interactive map where you can check the water quality conditions of your local beach, the pollutants that are being monitored, and whether advisories or closures have been issued. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/ Topics: Pollution, Water Last updated Nov 10, 2006 Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Press Information
Information about the international bottled and municipal water taste competition held each year at the Berkeley Springs Spa in West Virginia. Provides background about the event, and list of winners in the categories of municipal water, non-carbonated bottled water, purified drinking water, carbonated bottled water, and package design. Includes lists of winners back to 1999 and entrants back to 2002. http://www.berkeleysprings.com/water/press.htm Topics: Water Last updated Mar 5, 2008 Bottled Water Quality Investigation: 10 Major Brands, 38 Pollutants
Executive summary and results from 2008 "laboratory tests conducted ... at one of the country's leading water quality laboratories [that] found that 10 popular brands of bottled water ... contained 38 chemical pollutants altogether, with an average of 8 contaminants in each brand." Includes description of methodology, policy recommendations, and suggestions for consumers (including avoiding plastic bottles). From the Environmental Working Group (EWG). http://www.ewg.org/reports/bottledwater Topics: Water Last updated Nov 3, 2008 Children's World Water Forum: Calling for Change
News and analysis about the "Children's World Water Forum ... part of the 4th World Water Forum" in Mexico City in March 2006. "This event has brought together more than 100 children from over 30 countries. Participants are sharing real-life experiences of unsafe water, poor sanitation, and what they have done to improve conditions in their communities." Includes video clips, a photo essay, and links to related sites. From UNICEF. http://www.unicef.org/wes/index_31731.html Topics: Health, Pollution, Public Health & Safety, Water Last updated Mar 28, 2006 Clean Water Action
This national citizens' organization works to ensure and provide safe and affordable water in the United States. The group organizes campaigns, coalitions, and local efforts to improve water supplies and protect water supplies from pollutants. Information on the site includes national news and reports, state level offices and actions, history and information on the Clean Water Act, and action alerts. http://www.cleanwateraction.org/ Topics: Water Last updated Oct 23, 2002 Colorado Water Knowledge
Facts and statistics on Colorado's water system, rivers and aquifers, watersheds, geology, and related concepts. Features glossaries, information about water agencies in the state, and FAQs on water rights, water quality, and septic systems. Includes many related links. From Colorado State University. http://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/ Topics: Water Last updated Feb 3, 2005 CSCOR-Supported Research Provides Foundation for Effective Management of the "Dead Zone" in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Overview of research concerning the "largest zone of oxygen-depleted [hypoxic] coastal waters in the United States, and the second largest for the world's coastal oceans, ... in the northern Gulf of Mexico on the Louisiana continental shelf." Provides links to relevant studies, press releases, action plans, and participating committees and institutes. From the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). http://www.cop.noaa.gov/stressors/extremeevents/hab/features/hypoxiafs_report1206.html Topics: Science, Water Last updated Jul 23, 2007 Drinking Water Quality Help Guide
This website contains "background information related to common drinking water sources of contamination, acute and chronic health problems, health advisories, and aesthetic problems associated with drinking water." Covers hard water, bacteria and other organisms, color, odor, turbidity, corrosion, iron, manganese, lead, and other elements. From the Center for Environmental Quality at Wilkes University (Pa.). http://www.water-research.net/helpguide.htm Topics: Beverages, Pollution, Water Last updated Jul 1, 2005 Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
Information about methods for emergency disinfection of drinking water, including boiling and chemical treatment (using chlorine bleach or household iodine). Site also notes that murky or colored water should be filtered "through clean cloths or allow[ed] it to settle" before disinfecting. "Water prepared for disinfection should be stored only in clean, tightly covered, containers, not subject to corrosion." Available in English and Spanish. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html Topics: Beverages, Hurricane Katrina, Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Pollution, Water Last updated Sep 8, 2005 Everglades Forever Act
This act (Florida Senate Bill 626), signed by Governor Jeb Bush in 2003 and reauthorized in 2006, "reaffirms and strengthens Florida’s commitment to cleaning up" the Everglades. Includes information on the technology known as Periphyton-Based Stormwater Treatment Area (PASTA) that removes phosphorous from water, a brief history of the drainage of the Everglades in the 20th century, water quality standards, progress information, and related links. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/evergladesforever/ Topics: Law by Place (U.S. States & non-U.S.), Water Last updated Sep 7, 2006 Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oil and Chemical Spills
Questions and answers about oil and chemical spills, with links to additional information and sources of data. Topics covered include oil spills in history, methods of cleanup, and the effects of oil spills on wildlife. Site also features an image gallery and a section for young people that includes ideas for science fair projects. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration. http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/faqs/faq.html Topics: Oil & Gas, Pollution Last updated Feb 20, 2006 The Groundwater Foundation
Provides information on groundwater basics, the hydrologic cycle, contamination, wells, conservation, protection, and recycling. Kids Corner features activities, games, and puzzles for students. The Groundwater Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization. http://www.groundwater.org/ Topics: Water Last updated Jan 10, 2008 The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
Overview of this "area of hypoxic [low-oxygen] ... waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River. The zone occurs between the inner and mid-continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico, beginning at the Mississippi River delta and extending westward to the upper Texas coast." Discusses causes, effects on marine life and fishing industry, and related topics. Includes link collections for general reading, professionals, and educators. From the Science Education Resource Center (SERC), Carleton College. http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/topics/deadzone/ Topics: Science, Water Last updated Jul 23, 2007 Hudson River PCBs Superfund Site
Information about the cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Hudson River. In October 2005 the Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached an agreement with the General Electric Company requiring it to begin the dredging of the Hudson River in 2007. This site contains background information, maps, photos, a FAQ (with information about PCBs, contamination of the Hudson River, and the dewatering facility that will hold dredged sediment), and related material. From the EPA. http://www.epa.gov/hudson/ Topics: Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Water Last updated Oct 11, 2005 IncidentNews
This website "provides publicly available information related to oil and hazardous material spills, both current and historical." Find documents for the November 2007 incident where the container ship M/V Cosco Busan struck the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, rescue of wayward humpback whales in California's Sacramento River, and many other incidents back to 1967. Developed and maintained by the Emergency Response Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration. http://www.incidentnews.gov/ Topics: Oil & Gas, Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Pollution Last updated Nov 13, 2007 International Decade for Action: Water for Life, 2005-2015
"The United Nations General Assembly, in December 2003, proclaimed the years 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life.'" This website provides background and news about activities related to this proclamation (including World Water Day, occurring annually on March 22) and reference material on water-related issues such as scarcity, sanitation, and pollution. From the United Nations (UN). http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/ Topics: Water Last updated Mar 14, 2007 Marine Debris Abatement
Publications and other resources on marine debris (or litter), which is "defined as any man-made, solid material that enters our waterways directly (e.g., by dumping) or indirectly (e.g., washed out to sea via rivers, streams, storm drains, etc.)." The site contains information about legislation, effects of marine debris (such as harm to marine animals), an educational guide, letters and drawings from children about marine litter, and related material. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/debris/ Topics: Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Water Last updated Jan 3, 2006 Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
Resources on MTBE, a chemical compound that is "almost exclusively used as a fuel additive in motor gasoline." Features documents on the use of MTBE in gasoline, effects of MTBE on the water supply, research and testing of potential health and environmental risks, preventing MTBE leaks from underground storage tanks, and cleanup and treatment actions. Includes local contacts for information about MTBE in drinking water. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/mtbe/ Topics: Oil & Gas, Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Pollution, Water Last updated Jan 13, 2004 Mississippi River Basin & Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia
This website focuses on the Mississippi River Basin (which "includes numerous subbasins and watersheds in addition to those of the main stem of the Mississippi River") and the Gulf of Mexico, and the environmental effects to the area due to hypoxia, "an absence of oxygen reaching living tissues." Includes resources on the subbasins of the Mississippi River Basin, maps, and updates on federal government actions in the area. From the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/msbasin/ Topics: Geography, Hurricane Katrina, Pollution, Water Last updated Sep 2, 2005 National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC)
The NBIC, a program of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the United States Coast Guard, "collects, analyzes, and interprets data on the ballast water management practices of commercial ships." A main goal of the NBIC is "to determine the degree to which ... [ballast] water has undergone ... treatments designed to reduce the likelihood of ballast-mediated invasions by exotic species." It features a database with ballast discharge information and links to research. http://invasions.si.edu/nbic/ Topics: Environment, Industries, Plants, Transportation, Water Last updated Oct 12, 2005 National Tap Water Quality Database
In this December 2005 analysis of "more than 22 million tap water quality tests, most of which were required under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, EWG [Environmental Working Group] found that water suppliers across the U.S. detected 260 contaminants in water served to the public. One hundred forty-one (141) of these detected chemicals -- more than half -- are unregulated." Includes a summary, contaminants database, and local, state, and national findings. http://www.ewg.org/sites/tapwater/ Topics: Beverages, Water Last updated Jul 25, 2007 NOAA Marine Debris Program
Website for this federal government program concerned with marine debris, which is "typically defined as any man-made object discarded, disposed of, or abandoned that enters the coastal or marine environment." Features articles, fact sheets, news, photos, outreach materials, and glossary. Includes a link to the website for the program's Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris project, showing marine debris deposited on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/ Topics: Water Last updated Sep 10, 2007 Ocean Conservancy's International Coast Cleanup
Details about the this annual, mid-September volunteer cleanup event for coastal regions. "Since 1986 thousands of volunteers from around the globe have cleared over 100 million pounds of trash from 170,000 miles of shorelines, rivers, lakes, and wetlands." Find cleanup locations, tips for marine debris prevention, photos from past cleanups, and related material. From the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy. http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_icc Topics: Water Last updated Sep 12, 2007 Parking-Lot Sealcoat: A Major Source of PAHs in Urban and Suburban Environments
This site reports on 2005 findings that "coal-tar based sealcoat -- the black, shiny emulsion painted or sprayed on asphalt pavement such as parking lots -- has extremely elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and can affect the quality of downstream water resources." Includes a FAQ covering PAHs, coal tar, and sealcoat, and links to related information. From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/asphalt_sealers.html Topics: Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Pollution, Water Last updated Jul 5, 2005 Perchlorate
Questions and answers about the toxicity of "perchlorate, which is the primary ingredient of solid rocket propellant." Discusses the effects on human health of perchlorate in the drinking water supply and efforts to address problems caused by perchlorate contamination. Includes links to related studies and assessments. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/perchlorate/perchlorate.html Topics: Beverages, Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Pollution, Water Last updated Jan 13, 2004 Perchlorate Questions and Answers
Fact sheet on the chemical perchlorate and its effects on the health of the human body and the food and water supply. Includes discussion of perchlorate in produce (such as lettuce), drinking water, and milk. From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/ChemicalContaminants/Perchlorate/ucm077572.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Nutrition & Food Safety, Pollutants & Toxic Substances, Pollution, Water Last updated Sep 8, 2009 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
Background about "Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Pollutants (PPCPs) [which] refers, in general, to any product used by individuals for personal health or cosmetic reasons or used by agribusiness to enhance growth or health of livestock." Covers PPCP sources, where PPCPs are found ("any water body influenced by raw or treated sewage, including rivers, streams, ground water, coastal marine environments, and many drinking water sources"), and related topics. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/ Topics: Pollution, Water Last updated Mar 10, 2008 Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches
This annual report of water quality at U.S. beaches includes information about beach-water pollution, health risks, and state standards and closing/advisory standards. Includes detailed data for individual states and composite data and graphs. Also includes related information on topics such as 10 simple things individuals can do to help improve beach-water quality and protect their health. From the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/titinx.asp Topics: Pollution, Water Last updated Jun 22, 2005 Tracking Down the Roots of Our Sanitary Sewers
A history of "sewage conveyance systems" over the past five millennia through timelines, articles, illustrations, and artifacts. Includes poetry, patents, system maps, images of manhole covers from around the world, news involving sinkholes, a bibliography, links to related sites, and more. Searchable. From the historian of the Arizona Water & Pollution Control Association. http://www.sewerhistory.org Topics: Pollution, Science, Science, Technology, Water Last updated Aug 1, 2005 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Beaches
Consumer information about topics related to environmental aspects of beaches. Topics include water quality and pollution (sewer overflows, farm animal feeding, trash), health and safety, beach advisories and closings, and more. Includes details about EPA projects related to beach protection. http://www.epa.gov/beaches/ Topics: Pollution, Water Last updated Jun 1, 2005 UNICEF: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Background and updates on drinking water and sanitation issues around the world, focusing on child and family health, hygiene, and access to sanitation facilities. Features stories about the impact of sanitation improvement activities, water and sanitation country profiles, statistics, video clips, and general and technical documents. From UNICEF. http://www.unicef.org/wash/ Topics: Public Health & Safety, Water Last updated Sep 22, 2009 War of the Waters
This 2007 article discusses drinking water taste competitions. "Just think of water taste competitions as film industry awards. There's the Academy Awards (Berkeley Springs claims it's the granddaddy, with a 17-year history of water tasting), the Golden Globes (maybe AWWA [American Water Works Association]) and People's Choice Awards (U.S. Conference of Mayors)." Also describes factors considered in water taste tests. From Water & Wastewater News, a news source for industrial and municipal water professionals. http://wwn-online.com/articles/2007/08/01/war-of-the-waters.aspx Topics: Water Last updated Sep 22, 2009 Water Treatment Methods
Describes several ways to purify water, including boiling, chemical disinfection, and filtration. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/water-treatment.aspx Topics: Beverages, Pollution, Water Last updated Sep 22, 2009 Water Where You Live
A featured site on the EPA Office of Water Web site provides quick and easy access to information on the quality of local and statewide water in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Includes links to the state-submitted 305B Fact Sheets, Watershed Indicators, lists of waters not meeting water quality standards, local environmental Web sites, and real-time data links for monitoring of air and water pollution. http://www.epa.gov/ow/states.html Topics: Pollution, Water Last updated Oct 23, 2002 WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, Third Edition
This guidance document from the World Health Organization includes "significantly expanded guidance on ensuring the microbial safety of drinking-water. ... Information on many chemicals has been revised to account for new scientific information. ... For the first time, reviews of many waterborne pathogens are provided. ... New sections deal with ... emergencies and disasters, large buildings, packaged/bottled water, travellers, desalination systems, food production and processing and water safety on ships and in aviation." http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/gdwq3rev/en/ Topics: Beverages, Infectious Diseases, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Water Last updated Aug 7, 2007 World Health Organization: Flooding and Communicable Diseases Fact Sheet
Information and risk assessment for dangers from diseases associated with flooding, standing water, corpses, and related risks. Briefly address water-borne diseases and vector-borne diseases. Includes short-term and long-term preventative measures, such as chlorination of water, vaccination, use of insecticides, and education. From the World Health Organization (WHO). http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/flood_cds/en/ Topics: Beverages, Hurricane Katrina, Infectious Diseases, Medical Treatments & Devices, Pollution, Public Health & Safety, Water, Weather Last updated Sep 6, 2005 World Water Council
This international organization's mission is "to promote awareness, build political commitment and trigger action on critical water issues to facilitate conservation, protection, development, planning, management and use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis." Site features material about council programs (such as human right to water), facts about water, reports and other publications, list of World Water Forums back to 1997, official declarations and statements, and related material. http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/ Topics: Water Last updated May 26, 2009 |
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