WaterWorld Newscast - Jan. 6, 2020

The U.S. EPA has begun testing of soil and groundwater in the vicinity of a toxic, green substance that began oozing onto the shoulder of I-696 in Madison Heights, Michigan, on December 20.

Officials believe the likely source to be a nearby electroplating facility, Electro-Plating Services, that had been cited by EPA in 2016 for extreme mismanagement of hazardous waste and whose owner was convicted in November 2019 of operating an unlicensed hazardous waste storage facility.

Based on site history, officials believe the substance to be groundwater contaminated with hexavalent chromium emanating from the basement of the electroplating facility.

The contaminated water is being pumped out and transported for proper disposal.

Preliminary test results indicate no threat to drinking water supplies but the investigation underway will help determine the levels of contamination in soil and groundwater, how far the contaminants have spread, and their direction of travel.

Bernie Sanders said in a statement last week that if elected president, he would enact federal standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in order to ensure polluters "clean up their mess" and to guarantee clean drinking water as "a basic human right."

He also said that he would support states' efforts "to enforce stronger clean water laws."

Sanders made the comments during a campaign tour in New Hampshire.

A report released by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality concludes that hydraulic fracturing was not the cause of contaminated drinking water in the town of Pavillion.

Rather, it found that upward gas seepage, a naturally occurring condition, was happening before gas well development in the area.

The U.S. EPA began investigating Pavillion's water quality issues in 2009; DEQ assumed the investigation in 2013.

A group of craft brewers in Vermont are joining forces to support and promote the importance of clean water.

The Vermont Brewshed Alliance, launched in November 2019 by the Vermont Natural Resources Council, establishes a partnership with brewers aimed at protecting water resources.

Founding members include Alchemist Beer, Halyard Brewing, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Magic Hat Brewing Company, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewing.

Vermont joins a growing list of states establishing a Brewshed Alliance, including Washington, Maine, Oregon, and Texas.

For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.