Harnessing Water Fleas to Combat PFAS

wastewater treatment facility with modern architecture, featuring transparent filtration tanks where water fleas (Daphnia) remove pollutants. Scientists in lab coats monitor the purification process

A surprising solution to water pollution has emerged from an unlikely source: the tiny water flea, Daphnia. Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found that these microscopic organisms could transform wastewater treatment by effectively removing persistent pollutants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. This breakthrough offers a sustainable, low-energy alternative to … Read more

DeepSeek AI Lists Biggest Stories On Drinking Water

A glass of water with bubbles and the DeepSeek logo featuring a whale, highlighting the biggest drinking water quality stories of 2025.

DeepSeek V3 & DeepSeek R1 (DeepSeek R1 is the model we used) are new AI models recently released that is currently taken the internet by storm over this past weekend, upending Chat GPT as the number one app on the Apple App Store. We asked it what are the most important stories to date around … Read more

97M American’s Water Fouled by Unregulated Chemicals

A hand in a blue glove holds a test tube under a running kitchen sink faucet, filling it with water.

Millions of Americans unknowingly consume tap water tainted with harmful, unregulated chemicals, according to a new study by the Silent Spring Institute. Researchers found over 97 million people in the United States have been exposed to contaminants that pose potential health risks, highlighting a growing concern about water quality nationwide. What Are the Contaminants? The … Read more

The E.P.A. Promoted Toxic Fertilizer for Decades

Farm field with crops fertilized by sewage sludge, wastewater treatment plant in the background, warning sign about PFAS contamination.

For decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has encouraged the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer, a practice marketed as sustainable waste management. However, evidence reveals that this sludge, often laden with toxic PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” contaminates farmland, food, and water sources nationwide. The origin of these chemicals, their risks, and the … Read more

Fluoride Debate: Benefits and Risks for Kids

Children in a classroom staring blankly at a sink with running water, depicting concerns over fluoride in drinking water.

For nearly eight decades, adding fluoride to community water supplies has been a cornerstone of public health in the U.S., lauded for its effectiveness in reducing tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that community water fluoridation decreases cavities by about 25%, marking it as one of the major public health … Read more

NC To Address PFAS Contamination In Surface Water

A serene river in North Carolina surrounded by lush greenery with an industrial facility in the background subtly discharging into the water.

North Carolina is advancing a framework to combat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in surface water. These measures include targeted monitoring and minimization efforts aimed at reducing pollution while alleviating cleanup costs for utilities and consumers. At a recent meeting, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) reviewed plans outlined by the Department of … Read more

EPA Adds Nine New “Forever Chemicals” to Inventory

EPA government building with the words "More PFAS Added" written in bold yellow letters.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expanded its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to include nine additional “forever chemicals.” This move is aimed at increasing transparency and helping communities monitor the release of these persistent substances into their environments. What Are Forever Chemicals? Forever chemicals, technically referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are synthetic … Read more

Scientists Find New Source of PFAS in Drinking Water

A swirl of colorful pills and capsules in a clean toilet bowl filled with clear water, symbolizing pharmaceutical contaminants entering water supplies.

A recent study has uncovered a concerning link between wastewater treatment plants and the contamination of drinking water with persistent “forever chemicals.” These substances, primarily associated with prescribed drugs and industrial pollutants, may be exposing millions of Americans to potential health risks as conventional treatment methods fail to eliminate them. Moreover, climate change is exacerbating … Read more

NC Coastal Tourism Threatened by Salty Tap Water

A deserted North Carolina beach with a sign in the sand reading "Where is everybody?" under a partly cloudy sky.

Rising sea levels, a pressing consequence of climate change, are introducing unexpected challenges for North Carolina’s coastal tourism industry. A recent study published in Water Resources Research has revealed a troubling connection between tap water salinity and declining overnight stays in the state’s coastal accommodations. The Problem: Saltwater Intrusion into Aquifers The intrusion of saltwater … Read more

Judge Won’t Dismiss Poland Spring Water Lawsuit

Cartoon character pointing with the text "Nestlé, I Object!" above a Poland Spring water bottle, referencing a lawsuit about spring water authenticity.

On December 31, a federal judge in Connecticut declined to dismiss a longstanding lawsuit alleging that Poland Spring water has been falsely marketed as “spring water.” The case, filed in 2017, accuses Nestlé Waters North America, the former owner of the Poland Spring brand, of misleading consumers with labels that describe the bottled water as … Read more