The pulse of U.S. drinking water
This week's U.S. drinking-water news reflects recurring infrastructure challenges and evolving management approaches. Multiple boil water advisories were issued due to water main breaks and system issues, while several communities advanced funding for upgrades, lead pipe replacement, and new well construction.
Boil water order issued for parts of Bangor near Broadway
Martinsburg water system gets $11 million in state funding
Lima Advances Lead Pipe Replacement Project , Remains Ahead of Federal Deadline
Boil water advisory still in effect for Anson County as water restoration efforts continue
As data centers flood Wyoming , water pollution fouls good faith
Camden County Announces Plan To Upgrade Water Quality Across Multiple Watersheds
Castalian Springs issues boil water notice in its Mt . Vernon Tank Area
🔬 Latest research
Browse PubMed →Preparation of magnetic zwitterionic covalent organic frameworks for rapid simultaneous extraction of hydrophilic and hydrophobic organophosphates from environmental waters coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS determination
Researchers developed a new laboratory method to quickly detect trace amounts of organophosphate flame retardants in drinking and environmental water samples.
Wang S, Ma J, Xing Z et al.
Small-footprint non-suppressed capillary ion chromatography mass spectrometry method for the determination of oxyhalides in water samples
Researchers developed a portable lab method that efficiently detects disinfection by-products in water; local drinking water tested below detection limits, but swimming pool water contained measurable levels.
Schipplick L, Mikhail IE, Lam SC et al.
Cadmium exposure is associated with colorectal neoplasm risk: From epidemiological evidence to laboratory confirmation
A Chinese study found elevated cadmium blood levels were associated with increased colorectal growth risk; animal research suggested cadmium may promote tumor development when combined with intestinal inflammation.
Li J, Ping Z, Zhou J et al.
Environmental occurrence, human health risk, and ecological risk of herbicides in surface water: Rivers in the Taihu Lake Northwest, China
Researchers found multiple herbicides in Chinese river water, with levels safe for human drinking water but posing medium-to-high risks to aquatic organisms and plants.
Hu M, Fan G, Wang X et al.
Environmental fluoride exposure and bone metabolism: Molecular pathways and health implications
A review found that chronic environmental fluoride exposure may disrupt bone metabolism through multiple molecular pathways, potentially affecting bone structure and density.
Chang R, Zhao W, Zhou B et al.
Evaluation on disinfection by-products control by the conventional and O(3)-biological activated carbon process: Based on long term operation results
A year-long study of three Chinese water plants found that ozone-biological activated carbon treatment removed disinfection by-products precursors at varying rates depending on activated carbon replacement frequency.
Zhou F, Xie Y, Wang Y et al.
Arsenic exposure and skin cancer: Mechanisms, clinical evidence and public health implications (Review)
A review found arsenic exposure is linked to skin cancer risk through multiple cellular mechanisms, with stronger evidence for non-melanoma skin cancers than melanoma.
Andreikos DA, Aschner M, Ziogas DC et al.
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid exposure disrupts hepatic lipid metabolism by modulating the RBP4-STRA6 axis
Laboratory studies found that GenX, a PFAS chemical detected in some drinking water, may disrupt liver lipid metabolism through a specific molecular pathway in animal and cell models.
Li X, Zhou Q, Wang W et al.
Public health risks from potable water supply disruptions during drought in high-income countries: A scoping review and policy implications for the United Kingdom
Droughts in wealthy countries may be linked to water quality problems and health issues including gastrointestinal illness, worsened chronic diseases, and mental health effects.
Blake DM, Orr J, Morrison K et al.
Upscaling MSWI fly ash into multifunctional foamed geopolymers: synergistic water filtration and intrinsic heavy metal immobilization via a dual-stabilization mechanism
Researchers developed a filter material from waste incinerator ash that effectively removed lead and other heavy metals from water in laboratory tests.
Lyu Y, Qian Y
Integrated trend and risk assessment of hydrochemical dynamics and discharge-pollution interactions in the Chirchik River Basin (1991-2021)
Over 30 years, the Chirchik River Basin in Uzbekistan showed improved control of organic pollution but rising nitrogen levels and persistent water-quality concerns downstream.
Abdushakhidov N, Turaev H, Bakhronova D et al.
Assessing the release of microplastics from reusable plastic water bottles and their exposure to toddlers
Reusable plastic water bottles designed for toddlers released tiny plastic particles when used, suggesting children may routinely ingest microplastics through drinking.
Burhani D, Novillo Sanjuan O, Bloch Hartmann N et al.
Local advisories
No active advisories in this view. We surface boil-water notices and local water news as they’re reported — check back soon.