In March 2024, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) proposed adding 70 new bodies of water to its impaired waters list for the year. This biennial update, which precedes a public comment period and submission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights the ongoing struggle to protect the state’s waterways. If pollution were … Read more
In a recent report, Sound Rivers, an organization monitoring over 50 river sites across North Carolina, revealed that six locations failed the weekly fecal bacteria test. Testing and Results Sound Rivers conducts weekly tests during the summer to assess water quality across North Carolina. For the week ending July 19, 23 sites in the central … Read more
Update: May 31, all swimming advisories are now lifted. Health agencies across Hampton Roads have issued swimming advisories due to elevated bacteria levels detected in recent water tests. These advisories are aimed at protecting public health by warning against swimming in affected areas until water quality improves. Specific Beaches Affected Buckroe Beach South: The Hampton … Read more
Residents of Brandywine Bay in Carteret County find themselves in a distressing situation, battling with both contaminated water and unjustifiably high utility bills. This predicament has sparked widespread concern, pushing the community to seek solutions and demand action from their water provider, Carolina Water Service. The Heart of the Issue The core of the problem … Read more
On Christmas Eve, Chesapeake witnessed an environmental concern as over 2,000 gallons of sewage overflowed due to a blockage in a sewer line. This incident not only disrupted the festive spirit but also raised concerns about water quality and environmental safety. The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) immediately sprang into action, testing water quality and … Read more
The pervasive contamination of drinking water sources by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” near military installations across the United States has become a pressing environmental and public health issue. These substances, particularly PFOA and PFOS, have been detected in alarming concentrations in private wells, raising concerns about the long-term effects … Read more