CLIFF NOTES Washington, D.C. spilled about 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River from mid-January to mid-March 2026. The article says it may be the largest sewage spill in U.S. history, and it warns more spills are coming. It blames aging mid-20th-century sewer systems and chronic underinvestment. Overflows happen from breaks, blockages … Read more
CLIFF NOTES A 72-inch sewer pipe in Montgomery County, Maryland, ruptured on January 19, 2026, spilling about 40 million gallons of sewage daily into the Potomac River. The spill occurred near Clara Barton Parkway and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, upstream from Washington, D.C. DC Water is installing pumps to divert sewage from … Read more
CLIFF NOTES Parkinson’s disease cases have surged too fast for genetics alone to explain the increase. Research shows long-term exposure to chemicals like TCE can damage dopamine-producing brain cells. Veterans at Camp Lejeune faced far higher Parkinson’s risk due to contaminated drinking water. Lab and population studies now link environmental toxins directly to Parkinson’s development … Read more
CLIFF NOTES● Biosolids were used in wetland restoration.● PFAS contamination was detected.● Environmental spread is a concern.● Regulation of biosolids is limited.● Long-term impacts remain unknown. Across the United States, municipalities have embraced a controversial method for restoring degraded wetlands—pumping them full of treated wastewater effluent. The practice is often labeled “green” and “sustainable,” … Read more
For millions of Americans, turning on the tap is an everyday action that requires little thought. But a new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) raises serious concerns about what’s flowing from those taps. The findings reveal that harmful contaminants—including “forever chemicals,” heavy metals, and radioactive substances—are present in water systems across the country, … Read more
A groundbreaking study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC has identified a significant connection between PFAS contamination in drinking water and a range of rare cancers. The research, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, is the first to examine this relationship across the U.S. on a large scale. PFAS, … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a sweeping ban on two widely used but hazardous industrial solvents: trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). The decision marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing health risks posed by these chemicals, commonly found in everyday products and industrial processes. Understanding TCE: A Decades-Long Hazard A Ubiquitous … Read more
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are a group of over 15,000 synthetic chemicals designed to resist breaking down, both in the environment and in human bodies. Originally developed in the 1940s, PFAS compounds have been widely used for their remarkable nonstick, waterproof, and stain-resistant properties. But in recent years, as … Read more
In a groundbreaking legal and environmental conflict in Texas, two ranches have taken legal action against Synagro, a leading waste management company, over allegations of selling PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge. This product, intended as a cost-effective fertilizer alternative, is now at the heart of serious accusations including livestock death, crop ruin, water pollution, and significant property … Read more
The Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision on the Clean Water Act marks a pivotal moment. It significantly limits the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) power to protect the nation’s drinking water from agricultural runoff pollution. This ruling narrows the definition of “Waters of the United States” that the EPA can regulate. Consequently, the agency’s ability to … Read more