The www.nwitimes.com recently covered this controversial story in which involved residents of Lake Station making quite an appearance at City Hall.

The major outcry from residents is that their water is not that clean to begin with. If they are to be charged a considerable amount more, the least that they should expect is much better water. Many residents would have also preferred more gradual increases to the rates that they are charged.

It is safe to assume that the major issue here is not really the cost increase of this proposal. According to the article, even those residents who use the most water would only see their rates go up about $10 per month. On the other hand, the main issue here is water quality. It is expect that the city should be able to provide clean water to its residents for a reasonable cost.

One resident brought a dirty water filter to the City Hall meeting to give a good visual example of how bad the situation is. It might be a given that the challenges being made by increasing water pollution are making it difficult for municipal water treatment plants to deliver the cleanest water possible. However, every step should be taken to get to this point.

Hopefully the outcome of this meeting will at least make the average resident of Lake Station aware of the need to acquire a home water filter. Whether or not they are familiar with a great company like Aquasana, they should still seek out the best water filter that they can. Anyone who saw how bad that filtration cartridge looked will want to avoid the water that their city is delivering through their kitchen’s tap. Ideally they also avoid bottled water, which is neither proven to be healthier and definitely is not cheaper than home water filtration.

I’m sure that anyone who comes across this story will think twice before they assume that their tap water is safe enough to drink.

This news arrives by way of The Sacramento Bee (sacbee.com). The article mentions how the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) are taking considerable actions to both educate the public and various leaders and to actively help solve current energy problems.

The mayor of California and the President have both set respective state and national clean energy goals. It is expected that a high percentage of our energy needs can be provided by clean, renewable sources in the coming decades. The end result of this goal should be clear to all by now; we will benefit from considerably less air pollution and we will not be reliant on foreign energy sources.

There are already quite a few clean water agencies in California that are able to completely offset their own energy usage by using the energy that is created when wastewater is treated. This energy comes from the methane, biosolids, and biogas that is stored in the wastewater and other substances that the plants process. Some of these other substances include oil and grease provided by restaurants.

Energy produced from wastewater treatment plants represents an opportunity that is too significant to ignore. For example, the Water Environment Research Foundation has mentioned that biosolids and wastewater contain at least five times the amount of energy that is needed to process them. It is easy to imagine the considerable clean energy potential if this process were scaled to a national and fully cooperative level.

CASA’s Gary Darling is very optimistic about the organization’s ability to spread the word and ultimately have a large effect on clean energy awareness and production. His “Waste to Watts” motto will undoubtedly take off as more and more people realize the urgency that is involved with clean energy and clean water.

This is the kind of leadership that must gain some real traction if we are to be able to benefit from a cleaner, more livable future. I believe that our leaders will start to pay attention to movements like this one because they make too much sense. It will be difficult to say no to something that not only improves our environment, but makes money at the same time. This is the kind of win-win situation that can bring much hope to our future world.

However, treatment plants are supposed to be able to make this water just as safe, if not safer than our existing water supplies. Even with improved technologies, it is obviously still difficult to forget where this water just came from.

The primary driving force behind this idea comes from the fact that we are experiencing water shortages that only seem to be getting worse. This is no surprise as the general population keeps increasing at fast rates. Locations that are already stressed for water must do something to be able to supply it to future generations.

I, for one, support the more natural and traditionally common use of wastewater – use it for irrigation and industrial purposes. Letting nature filter it might be a longer process, but I’d bet you’d end up with some better water. I realize that this does not solve the current water shortage crisis, but this quicker turnaround for wastewater just does not sound right.

This is just another example of why it makes sense to filter your water one more time at home. A point-of-use home water filter can really make a difference in the quality of water that you end up consuming. Why take any chances with the quality of something as important as drinking water?

I’d like to think that we will make some technological breakthroughs that will allow us to bypass the need for drinking this highly polluted water. For example, if water desalinization ever becomes cheap and efficient enough, that would solve our drinking water problems. Let’s hope for the best…

Although this might be a few days late, I’m wishing you the best of health this year and every one that follows.

2011 saw quite a few negative stories concerning the state of our drinking water. However, there is always a “silver lining”. I believe that we are on the right track as far as protecting and improving our clean water sources are concerned. Social environmental responsibility is starting to become the norm. Corporations and individuals that continue to ignore these responsibilities are finding it more difficult to do so.

We owe it to future generations to keep spreading messages of sustainability. This should not be thought of as the right thing to do, but the only thing to do. Those that believe that you must “be the change that you want to see in the world” know how powerful and important that idea is. As more people do the right thing, others will follow suit.

There is no longer any doubt about the negative effects of pollution. Whether it be land, air, water, or noise pollution, all forms can affect your health. If you currently live in a large city, there may not be much that you can do about most of these forms of pollution, without moving. It should be at least somewhat comforting to know that you can do something about being affected by water pollution. A home water filter and a shower filter can go a long way to protect your body from water borne toxins. You owe it to yourself to find the best water filter that you can to protect your health.

Ultimately, it is up to the larger institutions and corporations to be the best stewards of our planet as they can be. They simply have the ability to make the largest impacts. Like I mentioned earlier, I believe that the proper intentions are beginning to take hold.

I see a brighter future for the resources that we all need.

This recent announcement can be found in the EPA’s newsroom at yosemite.epa.gov.

This two part restoration effort covers 15 miles of the Napa River. Also, approximately 135 acres of farmland will be converted back to wildlife habitat. More than 40 landowners have agreed to contribute to help make this happen.

Although this project will benefit many species of wildlife, salmon is definitely a major focal point here. Local salmon populations have been declining for decades in the Napa River. Stream erosion and higher concentrations of fine sediment are two of the primary culprits for the dwindling salmon numbers. The river once supported between six thousand to eight thousand Steelhead salmon. Now the adult salmon population measures in just the hundreds. The grant money will help stop erosion and improve spawning gravel to help spur a recovery in salmon population numbers.

There is also strong economic incentive for this project. The Napa Valley is perhaps one of the most well known wine producing locations in the world. Local winemakers have been not surprisingly very cooperative with the restoration efforts. More than 20 acres have been restored to help protect the Napa River. This can be seen as a common sense move on behalf of the vintners as they are taking a positive step in helping to protect their own stake in a $61 billion per year industry.

The river has become increasingly narrow which has led to a high erosion factor. A decrease in water has created banks as high as 30 feet. This has created a situation where these banks can collapse much more easily. Work is being done to mitigate this danger as well.

Another important goal of this project is to minimize potential pollution sources affecting the Napa River. Polluted runoff will be monitored as well as an implementation of heightened pollution standards.

This project is a truly shining example of how environmentalism and economic stability go hand in hand. It is very refreshing to see businesses and agencies like the EPA working together on a common goal.

It really is quite simple. Any business activity that is not good for the environment is also not good for business. There is no long term business model that does not rely on environmental resources. So it is easy to conclude that taking care of the environment easily translates into a long term, sustainable business.

The moral of this story is that you can make money by making a better world.

Hopefully examples like this news story will start to spread to other parts of the country and the world.

This chemical is used by many companies to make fluropolymer coatings and other products that resist oil, stains, water, grease, and heat. This chemical does not break down in nature. It eventually can show up in food products and drinking water.

The company that has been responsible for dumping this toxic chemical is 3M. The company has been lawfully dumping this chemical waste in sites nearby Cottage Grove for decades. Unfortunately, all of those years have passed before there was enough awareness of the consequences of this action. Apparently there was not enough concern or knowledge of the impact that this pollution would have on drinking water sources.

Although there has been a decline in the amount of this chemical found in individuals that have been tested in 2010 than those tested in 2008, the fact that there is any amount in their blood streams is obviously a cause for concern. While there may not be any direct link between this chemical and any specific illness, it won’t be surprising when it happens.

As part of the Minnesota Department Of Health’s remediation efforts, new carbon filters have been placed at nearby water treatment plants. Those who had relied on their well water were either given carbon filtration units, or were connected to the city’s treated water.

This story is a shining example of how it pays to be proactive when trying to protect your health. Instead of just assuming that the water that you are currently drinking is safe, why not make sure. One of the only ways that you can do this is to filter it right at the point of use. Again, this is where a good home water filtration comes in. Had residents of Cottage Grove and nearby towns assumed that their public drinking water and tap water was not safe to drink, they could have drastically limited their exposure to this toxin by installing a home water filtration system. It’s the best water filter for preventative health measures.

The college has installed a total of five water bottle filling stations throughout the campus. Students that are concerned about bottled water waste can now use these water filtration systems to do their part to help reduce the amount of bottles that end up in landfills.

What’s unique about these systems is that they showcase a “green ticker” that displays how many water bottles have been spared from use and therefore needless waste. Since the filters inception in the college in 2010, more than 40,000 16 ounce bottles have been saved. This is obviously a major step taken to combat this source of environmental pollution.

The systems are set to fill 16 ounce reusable bottles. No buttons need pushing as the system detects the presence of a bottle and automatically fills it up.

It won’t be long before word of these great systems spreads to other institutions. While the upfront costs associated with these systems range in the thousands, the waste saved from landfills is priceless. This is the kind of leadership that must take place for real change to happen. Organizations should not always need a monetary return for every investment that is made.

As more universities, corporate office spaces, and organizations of all kinds get word of these great systems, we will see some major headway in the prevention of bottled water use and waste. Major change can also come from the home. Obviously, a good amount of time of the average person is spent away from school and work. Having a good water filter at home will ensure that you will have access to clean water no matter where you are. Definitely do some research to get the best water filter that you can find.

We can all do our part to spread the word about this. Tell everyone you know that using a water filter is less expensive, more convenient, and less wasteful than bottled water.

In a recent article found in the bostonglobe.com, Milford, MA is the beneficiary of a new water filter. The town has been getting its water from a private water utility called the Milford Water Company. This water filter has not come too soon as the EPA has been pressuring the company to do something about increased levels of THM’s or trihalomethanes that have been found in the water.

This is a serious concern as this toxin can cause health problems for those that are exposed to it over a prolonged period of time. Now that the water company has installed a “carbon sandwich filter”, tests on the water reveal that the THM levels are now within state standards. State standards? I’m sorry, but there should be no acceptable level of contaminants found in water that is used by the general public.

It’s safe to assume that many of the residents in this town, and all across the U.S. drink tap water. They assume that the water that their city is providing them is good enough to drink. Most assumptions are bad, especially ones that can affect your health. Those in charge with providing clean water to residents of the average city might have the best of intentions. They might be doing all they can to provide the best water possible. Does this mean that it’s good enough?

Residents of Milford know that it’s not good enough as they have become aware of their town’s water issues. Hopefully other cities and towns will try to become more proactive about water filtration maintenance.

These concerns will obviously make people consider other alternatives. Hopefully people will opt out of the bottled water choice. The most ideal option is a home water filter. Why settle for almost healthy water? Drinking water should be as clean and pure as possible. You should be going out of your way to find the best water filter that you can.

While the average American has access to much cleaner water than residents of many third world nations, it still does not mean that it is completely safe to drink. It should go without saying that the quality of the water that you drink is just as important as the act of drinking it.

So don’t take any chances. Filter your water right at the point of use – your kitchen’s faucet.

This is definitely a major step backwards for legislation that has done much to clean up our waterways. Recent Huffington Post and NY times articles have shown the severity of this issue. These lawsuits have been effective in reducing the number of waterways that have clear protection from the Clean Water Act.

It’s no surprise that these attacks are lead by certain Republicans in Congress. They are currently trying to prevent the Obama administration from being able to have the Act clearly label which streams should be protected. Should they succeed in their efforts, about 20% of wetlands will not be protected and approximately 117 million American’s will be forced to get their drinking water from sources that are not protected under the Act.

This has become a very complicated issue due to the efforts of the lawyers trying to limit the scope of the Clean Water Act. Many different types of waterways are being analyzed to determine which ones should be protected and which ones can basically be disregarded. How long will it take before our business and government leaders realize that all waterways need complete protection. It’s that simple, and it’s very important. We don’t need lawyers to make this issue more complicated so that polluters can make more money.

The end result of weaker environmental restrictions concerning our fresh water sources is lower business costs for companies that produce liquid wastes. Businesses that currently produce considerable liquid waste as a by product of operating would love to save money by having more convenient options to dispose of these toxins. When will they realize that this is an extremely short-sighted action to take? Their profits might be up in the short-term, but they are ruining the resources that they need to continue to do business in the future.

Ideally, businesses need to make fundamental changes in how they operate so that there is not such a considerable need to pollute. Again, the word sustainable comes to mind here. As we make a shift to a more local and sustainable way of producing the goods and services that we need, the far less water pollution there will be. This could be a win-win for both businesses and those who care about preserving our natural resources, and therefore our future.

According to the article, water along the coastline and nearby rivers and steams have become considerably more polluted over the past few years. While this is a devastating fact by itself, this problem is compounded by at least two different factors. Firstly, much of California’s residents live in coastal counties. These residents are now being exposed to water that is considerably worse than in previous years. Another factor to consider is that these polluted waters end up in the coastal sea water, which has already been abused for decades.

To make matters even worse, coastal waters are also a victim of acidification. This is the end result of the process by which the world’s oceans absorb the carbon dioxide that is in the atmosphere. As the name implies, the pH levels of ocean waters are becoming much more acidic. This has been having dire effects on many much ocean life. For example, this has caused the shells of oysters, plankton, and mussels to dissolve.

This problem may not be news. It should not take a threat from the EPA for positive action to be taken on water pollution in any part of the country. On a more positive note, parts of southern California were able to make improvements in air quality over the past three decades. The same can, and must be done for local clean water sources.

City and state budgets are still strained from an economy that has yet to improve over the past three years of the great recession. However, something as basic to society as clean water should be protected at any cost. Ideally, this is not something should get caught up in any local governmental red tape. It’s simply something that needs to be taken care of.