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RTKnet: Water

Herbicide Atrazine Widespread in Drinking Water (NRDC)

A new NRDC report finds atrazine contamination is widespread, and EPA is compounding the problem.

(24 Aug 2009)

Public Not Told When Atrazine in Drinking Water Spikes (New York Times)

New studies find that the herbicide atrazine may be a risk at lower levels than previously thought; while water systems fail to notify the public when spikes occur in drinking water.

(24 Aug 2009)

Mercury Contamination is Widespread - Study (Associated Press)

A federal study found mercury in every fish tested in almost three hundred streams nationwide. One quarter of the fish tested contained mercury at levels higher than what the EPA deems safe for consumption.

(21 Aug 2009)

EPA Seeks Public Input on Clean Water Plan through Online Forum (OMB Watch)

To gather ideas for its nascent Clean Water Enforcement Action Plan, the agency is accepting comments from the public through a new online forum on EPA's blog.

(07 Aug 2009)

TAKE ACTION – Tell Congress to Force Disclosure of Toxic Drilling Chemicals

Tell your members of Congress that you want disclosure of chemicals threatening drinking water.

(05 Aug 2009)

Beaches Still Polluted Shows Survey of Water Monitoring (NRDC)

U.S. beaches remained dangerously polluted in 2008, with more than 20,000 closing and advisory days at ocean, bay, and Great Lakes beaches. NRDC's new report, Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches, analyzes EPA data. See how your beach fared.

(30 Jul 2009)

EPA Calls for Transparency as "First Step" to Improving Water Quality (OMB Watch)

Head of EPA calls for greater transparency with government performance on water quality. EPA will meet with public, create strategy over next 90 days.

(16 Jul 2009)

New data suggest PBDE byproducts are ubiquitous in U.S. waters (Environmental Science & Technology)

Research shows that toxic PBDE flame retardants are ubiquitous and dioxins can be created when the flame retardants in wastewater are exposed to sunlight.

(03 Jul 2009)

EPA Posts List of 44 “High Hazard Potential” Coal Ash Impoundments (Associated Press)

EPA has identified 44 potentially hazardous coal ash dumps in 10 states: AZ, GA, IL, IN, KY, MT, NC, OH, PA, and WV.

(03 Jul 2009)

New Bills Would Disclose "Fracking" Chemicals

New bills would force disclosure of secret toxic chemicals used in gas drilling.

(09 Jun 2009)