The following is a transcript of the WaterWorld Weekly newscast for the week of July 18, 2016.
Hi, I'm Angela Godwin for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you water and wastewater news headlines for the week of July 18. Coming up...
Ohio officials charge ex-water operator over Sebring lead contamination crisis
Philly water department to change lead-testing procedure
EPA finalizes revised selenium water quality criteria
Ecolab makes equity investment in Aquatech International
[story1]
The former operator of the Sebring, Ohio, water plant has been charged for his role in failing to notify the public about elevated lead levels in their tap water last summer.
James Bates was charged with two counts of failing to provide timely notice of lead tap water results to affected residents and one count of failing to provide timely public education following the lead and copper monitoring period. Both charges are misdemeanors.
[story2]
In response to state recommendations, Philadelphia Water Department will make changes to its process for testing tap water for lead to comply with EPA guidelines.
The utility will no longer instruct residents to remove aerators or let tap water run before taking a sample.
Since 2006, EPA has recommended leaving aerators in tact and not flushing water for six hours prior to lead testing.
Philadelphia's lead-testing process has been the subject of much criticism in recent months and is at the center of a class action lawsuit filed by residents in early June.
The city said it plans to test 50 homes with the new process over the next six months.
[story3]
The Environmental Protection Agency has released updated recommendations for the pollutant selenium in fresh water, replacing the agency's 1999 recommendations.
The 2016 updates reflect scientific information that indicates that selenium toxicity to aquatic life is primarily based on organisms consuming selenium-contaminated food rather than direct exposure to selenium dissolved in water.
The new criterion has four elements -- two that are fish-tissue based and two that are water based -- and EPA recommends that states includes all four elements in their standards.
Later this year EPA intends to release for public comment draft technical support materials to assist states in addressing implementation questions such as fish tissue monitoring.
For more information, visit epa.gov/wqc.
[story4]
Ecolab, the parent company of Nalco Water, has made a minority equity investment in Aquatech International.
Based in Canonsburg, Pa., Aquatech is a global provider of water purification technology for industrial and infrastructure markets with a focus on desalination, water recycle and reuse, and zero liquid discharge.
Through this relationship, Nalco Water said it will increase its capabilities to provide customers with comprehensive end-to-end solutions to minimize net water usage and maximize process performance and productivity.
[OUTRO]
For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.
