Global Scans · Water · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Global demand for fresh water is expected to outpace sustainable supply by 40% in 2030. Global water demand will climb in tandem with population and economic growth. At least two-thirds of the world's population will face 'water stress' by 2025 and the number of people affected by floods could increase by a factor of three by 2100 bring significant risk of unrest and conflict. The UN Security Council will have to declare water a strategic resource of humanity and adopt a resolution to protect water resources and installations. Organizations will be expected to play their part in conserving water.

• [New] The EPA does not expect spent drinking water treatment residuals containing PFAS to be released into the environment at or above the reportable quantity as a part of standard residuals management practices used by water systems. Federal Register
• [New] From a mass balance perspective, PFAS removal from drinking water is generally anticipated to result in lower concentrations of PFAS in the environment. Federal Register
• [New] Since PFNA is environmentally persistent and products containing PFNA are still in use and may be imported into the U.S., there is a substantial likelihood that environmental contamination of sources of drinking water will continue. Federal Register
• [New] Since PFHxS is environmentally persistent and products containing PFHxS are still in use and may be imported into the United States, the EPA anticipates environmental contamination to sources of drinking water will continue. Federal Register
• [New] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing an adaptive and flexible National Primary Drinking Water Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act to manage risks of per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. Federal Register
• [New] If testing reveals MCLs that exceed regulatory standards, water systems will have until 2029 to implement solutions to reduce any PFAS in their drinking water. JD Supra
• [New] Drought, desertification and land degradation are a growing threat to the planet and people. United Nations Environment Programme
• [New] By 2027, water systems will have to demonstrate initial monitoring for PFAS in their water systems at a rate depending on the system size and source water type (e.g., groundwater versus surface water). phys.org
• [New] The UK's ratification process must be urgently accelerated if we are to stay on track with the global goal of protecting at least 30% of the world's ocean by 2030. Greenpeace UK
• [New] Despite Qatar's aridity and its lack of freshwater resources, its per capita water consumption is one of the highest in the world, and it is expected to increase in the coming decades. MDPI
• [New] Starting in 2029, water providers that exceed MCLs must have PFAS-reducing solutions in place to bring levels down to new MCL standards. Los Alamos Reporter
• [New] Public Water Systems across Ohio will soon be tasked with testing and treating drinking water for chemicals called PFAS, but some water systems are raising concerns about cost of removing so-called forever chemicals. WVXU
• [New] The State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously Wednesday to set the maximum level for chromium-6 in drinking water at 10 parts per billion, a limit that state officials determined will significantly reduce health risks. Los Angeles Times
• [New] If levels exceed the MCLs, water systems have until 2029 to implement solutions to reduce PFAS concentrations and must notify the public of any violations. GHD
• [New] EPA plans to provide an online calculator to help water systems determine their Hazard Index compliance. Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog
• [New] Scientists expect environmental changes such as warming oceans, rising sea levels, frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, and ocean acidification to increase with continued shifts in the planet's climate system. NOAA
• [New] Increasing global temperatures will result in increases in sea level due to the expansion of oceanic water and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. MDPI
• [New] The US EPA is taking a critical step to address the growing threat from a broad category of chemicals known as PFOAs or PFAs in drinking water. The White House
• [New] The proposed Ionian marine national park will cover almost 12% of Greek territorial waters, safeguarding sea mammals like sperm whales, striped dolphins and the vulnerable Mediterranean monk seal and the South Aegean MPA, which covers 6.61% of Greek territorial waters. The Guardian
• [New] Even when there was no known source, levels of PFAS in groundwater and surface water were found to exceed the US EPA hazard index in around 30% and 15% of samples, respectively. Chemistry World
• Maldives has a total land area of 20,130 square km (formed by 1190 islands) situated in 974,000 square km of the Indian Ocean that needs constant watch against internal and external threats. The Diplomat

Last updated: 27 April 2024