A new study from the American Geophysical Union (AGU) shows that human consumption could deplete groundwater aquifers in California’s Central Valley, Tulare Basin and southern San Joaquin Valley by the 2030s.

In addition, aquifers in the southern High Plains region of the U.S. could be exhausted between the 2050s and 2060s.

“While many aquifers remain productive, economically exploitable groundwater is already unattainable or will become so in the near future, especially in intensively irrigated areas in the drier regions of the world,” said Colorado hydrologist Inge de Graaf to the AGU.

Source: AGU

New Collaborative Addressing Lead Pipes

About two dozen groups are banding together to form the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative, which aims to assist communities throughout the country that need to replace aging lead pipes carrying drinking water to citizens.

Those behind the collaborative say that a USA Today investigation helped spur the effort. The investigation found elevated lead levels in nearly 2,000 water systems in the U.S.

Some of the collaborative’s members were part of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council’s process for making recommendations to the EPA regarding lead rules.

Source: USA Today

State Warns Florida City Over Wastewater Issues

The state of Florida is now getting involved after months of ongoing issues at Apopka, Florida’s, wastewater treatment plant.

At the end of December, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent a letter warning the city that “violations of Florida statutes or administrative rules may result in liability for damages and restoration, and the judicial imposition of civil penalties.”

Some of the ongoing issues have included a spill, bypassing filters, diverting water from holding ponds to PAR ponds, inconsistent pH calibration and others.

Source: The Apopka Voice

Flint's New Treatment Plant Slated For 2019 Completion

Flint’s $105 million updated water treatment plant probably won’t be finished until 2019, interim utilities director JoLisa McDay told a town hall meeting crowd attended by Michigan Radio.

“The EPA order dictates that the city of Flint must have the technical capacity,” said McDay. “That means we must have certified operators — not just certified but capable, competent and qualified operators in order to operate your water treatment plant.”

The new water plant will have to go through a testing period before getting EPA approval.

Source: Michigan Radio