Water

August 12, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY -- “Today’s court order means that the end is in sight for the 18-year-old water war litigation concerning Atlanta’s water withdrawals at Lake Lanier,” said Governor Riley. “The federal appellate court in Washington has already validated Alabama’s position that Atlanta’s future water supply plans violated federal law. Alabama believes that Atlanta’s current withdrawals also violate federal law, and we are pleased that the federal court has placed that issue on a fast-track for resolution.”    » read more »

PHILADELPHIA, June 23, 2008 -- To protect our nation’s water supply for future use, the Environmental Protection Agency is promoting and enhancing the market for water efficient products through the WaterSense program. The latest is a draft specification for water-efficient new single-family homes. The specification will create standards that new homes must meet to be certified and labeled as WaterSense homes.

“WaterSense is a common sense ethic of efficiency for protecting water, America’s most important liquid asset. WaterSense certified homes will help homeowners save water, money and energy, and communities will have an important new tool for sustainable growth and water efficiency,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.    » read more »

Addressing global concern on climate change and water to have greatest impact on Asia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 16 June 2008 – Climate change and water shortage have emerged as the top issue with the greatest impact on Asia, according to a survey of business leaders by the World Economic Forum. The survey showed that an overwhelming 81% of the 55 business leaders voted for “addressing growing global concern over environmental challenges such as climate change and water” as the top choice of issues with potential impact on Asia.

Other major concerns include “preventing political and economic instability linked to rising food and energy prices” and “managing the social, environmental and infrastructural implications of rapid urbanization”.    » read more »

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Army National Guard flew one of its CH-47 Chinook helicopters into Cedar Rapids on Monday to help the town turn its water back on. The massive helicopters were used to pluck seven electrical pumps from a well field in Northwest Cedar Rapids still under water. Water receded enough by Saturday for the pumps to be above water.

National Guard flood relief, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: An employee from the Cedar Rapids Water Utility prepares to attach a lift cable from an Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook to a damaged water pump on the Iowa River near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt Jack Braden    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- THE PRESIDENT: I've just assembled my -- many people on my domestic policy team to discuss the current flooding in the Midwest. Of course, our hearts and thoughts go to those who lost life. And of course, we're concerned about those whose -- who lost their homes or lost their businesses.

George W. Bush offers media a photo opportunity on Midwest flood relief: White House photo

I've been briefed by Secretary Chertoff and Secretary Schafer and Director Paulison about the response. First task at hand is to deal with the flood waters, to anticipate where the flooding may next occur, and to work with the state and local authorities to deal with the response.    » read more »

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 16, 2008 -- The 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan, endorsed by federal agencies and several Mississippi River Basin states, was formally approved in New Orleans today.

Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico results from the introduction of excess nutrients from the Mississippi River Basin into the Gulf of Mexico. Nutrients are important to the environment, but excess nitrogen and phosphorus can harm water quality by feeding algae blooms and creating oxygen-deprived "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive.    » read more »

Community groups react to news that DuPont’s Teflon chemicals likely contaminate area residential wells. Eight of nine DuPont monitoring wells exceeded New Jersey’s “alert level.”

June 9, 2008 -- Deepwater, NJ—A coalition of environmental and labor groups are calling for the testing of private drinking water wells in four towns near DuPont’s Chambers Works facility in Deepwater, N.J. They are concerned about the possible presence of the dangerous Teflon chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).    » read more »