The EPA and the U.S. Army have launched a project to test water near Army sites for PFAS. This initiative will sample private drinking water wells to check for PFAS contamination.
If levels exceed the EPA's maximum contaminant limits, the Army will collaborate with state regulators to reduce public exposure and implement remediation. Initially, testing will focus on nine priority Army installations, with potential expansion to additional sites based on results.
Texas Allocates $1 Billion for Water Infrastructure Projects
Texas has initiated the distribution of $1 billion in taxpayer-approved funds for various water infrastructure projects. The majority of the funding will support low-interest loan programs aimed at helping cities upgrade drinking water systems and implement water conservation initiatives.
Approximately $45 million is designated for communities with fewer than 1,000 residents, while about $130 million is earmarked for towns with populations between 1,001 and 10,000. The Texas Water Development Board, tasked with managing the state's water supply and these funds, has also allocated $20 million for high-risk projects.
This funding comes in response to significant water loss from outdated infrastructure, particularly affecting smaller rural towns with limited tax bases.
First Responders Rescue Toddler From PVC Pipe
The Moundridge (Kansas) Police Department, along with Moundridge EMS and the Moundridge Fire Department, successfully rescued a 14-month-old child trapped in a 12-inch diameter PVC pipe that was 10-12 feet deep. The emergency crews took 15-20 minutes to recover the child, who was found upright at the bottom of the pipe and appeared uninjured.
An officer on the scene devised a makeshift “catch pole” using a smaller PVC pipe and rope, which allowed responders to lift the child to safety. The child was not seriously injured.
