However, for those who get their drinking water from private wells rather than a public utility, there could be a cause for concern where their water is coming from.
In their study, Jasechko and Perrone found that approximately half of all hydraulically fractured wells stimulated in 2014 exist within two to three kilometers of one or more domestic, public and self-supply groundwater wells.
They were also able to identify 236 counties where most recorded domestic groundwater wells exist within two kilometers of one or more recorded oil and gas wells producing during 2014.
Their analysis of hydraulic fracturing operations assessed wells likely stimulated in 2014, whereas their analysis of oil and gas wells assessed wells producing hydrocarbons in 2014.
“This co-location [of hydraulic fractured and domestic groundwater wells] emphasizes the need to determine the frequency that hydraulic fracturing activities impact groundwater well-water quality.
“Our results underscore the importance of increased water-monitoring efforts near both hydraulically fractured and conventional oil and gas wells in ascertaining the risk of contamination and in protecting water-well quality.” According to Jasechko and Perrone, quantifying and communicating risks of hydraulic fracturing to groundwater resources is challenging because of the lack of consistently cataloged information about the frequency and severity of spills and leaks linked to hydraulic fracturing, integrity of active and decommissioned wells and groundwater quality before vs. following the initiation of a hydraulic fracturing operation and environmental profile, including toxicity of chemicals used for oil and gas production.
“Our analysis underscores the need to increase monitoring efforts to maximize the probability that we can identify well waters that may be impacted and do our best to remediate, contain and isolate potentially contaminated waters before they cause harm,” Jasechko said.
In this case, the problem is a lack of consistent data across states as well as across industries.
Quantifying and communicating actual risks remain challenging because of the lack of publicly available and consistently cataloged information.
As more shale oil and gas reservoirs become economically and technologically feasible to access with hydraulically fractured wells, understanding the frequency that groundwater resources are contaminated will be critical to allocating resources for safeguarding groundwater and addressing public concerns.

GLOVERSVILLE — The city has been awarded $623,655 in funds to remove lead service lines, according to a news release sent out by Gov.
Andrew Cuomo on Monday.
The funds are part of $20 million that has been awarded statewide to replace residential drinking water lead service lines as part of New York’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.
“These critical improvements to New York’s drinking water infrastructure are vital to protecting public health and to laying the foundation for future growth and economic prosperity in these communities,” Cuomo said in a news release.
“With this $20 million award, we are helping to protect residents and their families across this state and are creating a stronger, healthier New York.” Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “Public health begins with access to clean drinking water, and reducing lead exposure, especially in children, should always be a top priority.
This state-wide program to replace residential lead pipes in areas of the state that need it most will improve the health of New Yorkers.” Municipalities were determined to be eligible to participate in the LSLRP based on the following criteria: percentage of children with elevated blood levels, median household income, and the number of homes built before 1939.
Grants will be used to replace residential lead service lines from the municipal water main to the residence.
Officials with the city’s water department said on Tuesday, they had not yet received word they received the funding.

ROCKFORD, Mich. — Wolverine Worldwide says it will extend its whole-house drinking-water filtration program to residents in two targeted areas where the chemicals PFOA or PFOS have been test-confirmed.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/teflon-and-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa.html The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has been working with Wolverine since November 2016 on the affected Jewell and Wolven Study areas: https://wearewolverine.com/maps-2/ Wolverine Worldwide says eligible residents in those areas will be contacted by Culligan to arrange for the filters to be installed.
And Wolverine has decided to foot the bill for the testing, bottled-water service, single-tap filters and the whole-house systems.
The Rockford-based footwear maker says it selected the Culligan/Calgon filtration system because it “has been demonstrated to effectively remove PFAS, and ensures that these compounds are not returned to the environment.” The system uses something called “dual-canister granular-activated carbon absorption.” Wolverine adds that the filtration system has been used to treat water for PFAS in more than 1,000 homes nationwide.
On Saturday, a townhall meeting was held at Northview High School where residents could have their questions answered.
“I don`t want this to be about lawsuits, I want this to be about getting my neighbors’ clean water, and that`s my number one focus.
We`re in a burning building here folks.
It`s time to pull the fire alarm and make sure everyone`s safe before we start investigating the fire.
Experts were also on hand to elaborate on the contaminated water issue.
You can view regular updates from the company at http://WeAreWolverine.com

Suez, on behalf of SINOMACH-CMEC is building a drinking water processing plant in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.
This contract, worth €43m for SUEZ, includes pumping of raw water into the river Sanaga, the building of the plant over a 36-month period, the pumping stations and the transfer of the treated water to Yaoundé.This operation will be financed by Eximbank of China and by the Cameroonian government within the scope of a larger and structuring project of over €650m.
This project will respond to the drinking water needs of the fast-growing population of Yaoundé, which today has nearly 3 million inhabitants, and will support the capital city’s economic development.
SUEZ will be in charge of carrying out the engineering studies on the treatment plant, providing equipment, and supervising the assembly and commissioning of the plant.
The Group will also be responsible for training the Cameroonian personnel.
The plant will integrate degrémont® technologies such as PulsatubeTM and Aquazur®V, as these products guarantee excellent quality of the water produced, regardless of the quality and flow rate of the untreated water.
We are proud of this partnership with the Cameroonian authorities, SINOMACH-CMEC and Eximbank of China in order to provide a technical and financial solution that best responds to the drinking water needs of the residents of Yaoundé.
Marie-Ange Debon , Group Deputy CEO in charge of International segment SUEZ is thus strengthening its presence in Cameroon, where it has built the drinking water production plant in Akomiada (100,000 m3/day), and in Africa, a promising market for the Group.
Present on the continent since the construction of the La Djoué water treatment plant in Brazzaville in 1952, SUEZ has since built more than 500 drinking water and sanitation facilities, and continues to serve many of Africa’s capital cities, including Nairobi, Ouagadougou, Dar Es Salaam and Bamako.
Source: Company Press Release

Albany A state panel charged with determining the maximum legal amount of PFOA and other contaminants in drinking water heard from experts Wednesday on issues like laboratory methods and water treatment costs, intended to help its 12 members make recommendations.
It focused on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), chemicals that have been found in water supplies in Rensselaer County and Newburgh.
While the federal government and other states have established advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS in water supplies, there is no law in place establishing enforceable limits for these chemicals, according to state Health Department Deputy Commissioner Brad Hutton.
A man-made chemical, PFOA has been used since the 1940s to make industrial and household products such as non-stick coatings and heat-resistant wiring.
Residents of these communities, as well as the mayor of Hoosick Falls, urged the council to set the maximum contamination levels below the current federal guidance of 70 parts per trillion.
A presentation to the committee by Health Department Research Scientist Kenneth Bogdan showed that three other states had set lower guidance levels, all based on different assumptions – Minnesota at 35 parts per trillion, Vermont at 20 parts per trillion and New Jersey at 14 parts per trillion.
“Anything higher than 20 parts per trillion will be a misstep,” said Hoosick Falls Mayor Robert Allen.
Residents also called for the council to consider other emerging contaminants before they become a health problem.
“I think we’re 40 years too late,” said Emily Marpe, who choked up when she told the council that the well at her home in Petersburgh, a half mile from the Taconic Plastics where PFOA contamination was found, tested as having PFOA levels of 2,100 parts per trillion.
Council members also learned about the cost of effectively treating water contaminated with PFOA and PFOS with granular activated carbon (GAC) systems, which ranged from $2,500 for equipment and installation for an individual system to nearly $15 million (about $500 per person) for a large municipal system, according to Health Department Research Scientist Dan Lang.

They are considered ’emerging contaminants’ because of limited data on their health impacts.
(TNS) – Manmade toxins that likely came from foams used years ago in firefighting have been found in 26 drinking-water wells near Fairbanks International Airport, according to the airport.
Of 33 tested wells serving residences and businesses, 19 had levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — PFAS for short — above the health advisory level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the airport said.
The chemicals were found in another seven wells, but in amounts below the health advisory limits.
These chemicals may hurt the ability of children to learn and grow, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They can hurt the ability of women to get pregnant, interfere with a body’s natural hormones and affect the immune system, the CDC said.
The offer goes to those in the area "whether they have been tested yet or not," she said.
Testing through contractor Shannon & Wilson is continuing, the airport said.
Homes and businesses with PFAS levels above the EPA health advisory will be connected to the area’s water utility, she said, though that work cannot be done until after breakup.
Chemical foam isn’t used in training anymore though the airport must use it in required annual inspections to prove its firefighting system is in order, she said.

BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — The City of Binghamton has been awarded more than $663,000 in state funding to replace lead service lines used for residential drinking water, according to Mayor Rich David’s Office.
Officials say the Binghamton Water Department will identify properties with older service lines containing lead to target for replacement.
When old water pipes containing lead corrode, the lead can seep into the water and contaminate it, according to the mayor’s office.
Officials say lead exposure can be especially harmful to young children and that lead poisoning can impact a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn.
“With this funding, the City will take another step to ensure residents have access to clean and safe drinking water for decades to come,” Mayor David said in a statement.
“Replacing the antiquated water lines that were built with many of Binghamton’s older homes will help lower residents’ risk of lead exposure and protect the public health of our City.” In a news release, Mayor David’s office noted that the City is responsible for the portion of a water service line that runs from water main line to the curb box, and that homeowners are responsible for the portion of the service line that runs from the curb box to the water meter.
According to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office, Binghamton is one of 26 municipalities in New York State to receive funding for residential lead service line replacement.
The effort is part of New York’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.

The FINANCIAL — The Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved additional loans totaling $120 million for a project to bring drinking water to urban areas of the Jaffna Peninsula, one of Sri Lanka’s less developed regions.
The initial assistance for the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply Project was approved in November 2010 with ADB loans totaling $90 million.
Bringing water from a new desalination plant, instead, will directly address water scarcity challenges caused by climate change.
Jaffna—one of the areas worst affected by years of conflict—faces a growing population.
Water sources are limited in the area, with groundwater and local surface water unable to meet the demand for drinking water.
The plant will have a daily capacity of 24,000 cubic meters and be accompanied by 700 kilometers of water mains and distribution pipes, and 60,000 metered new property connections.
The project will also support the operation and maintenance of the plant, which will be operated by a single contractor.
The project will also support long-term water resource management, according to ADB.
Technical assistance of $500,000 will accompany the loans to support capacity development of institutions in Jaffna’s water sector, including managing the contract of the desalination plant, conducting community awareness activities, and producing sanitation safety plans.
The expected completion date is December 2025.

Video by Geoffrey Wilson.
Wochit The City of Poughkeepsie is getting $544,745 from the state to replace lead residential drinking water service lines as part of New York’s $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.
Gov.
Andrew Cuomo announced Monday the state awarded $20 million to 25 municipalities in 10 regions for the state health department’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program 2017 to replace residential drinking water lead service lines.
The grants will be used to replace lead residential service lines from the municipal water main to the residence.
In a news release, Cuomo called the program, “vital to protecting public health and to laying the foundation for future growth and economic prosperity in these communities.” The Mid-Hudson region is receiving a total of $2.17 million broken down into Poughkeepsie, the City of Newburgh $544,745, City of Kingston $544,745 and City of Middletown at $544,745.
Rolison said the city will next put together a team including city staff, the county and the state’s department of health to create a plan for the residential drinking water lead service lines replacement.
"This is the beginning stages and to see what is the best use of that money… We have to do an analysis of exactly how large a replacement project would actually be for lead line replacement because we don’t necessarily know where all of these lead water pipes would be," Rolison said.
"Public health begins with access to clean drinking water, and reducing lead exposure, especially in children, should always be a top priority,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker in a news release.
Amy Wu: 845-451-4529, awu@poughkeepsiejournal.com, Twitter: @wu_PoJo

Newburgh, the City of Poughkeepsie and Middletown are receiving more than $2 million from the state to help clean up its water.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday the three municipalities were one of several as part of a $20 million initiative to replace residential drinking water lead service lines as part of New York’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.
The three municipalities are all each receiving $544,745.
"Public health begins with access to clean drinking water, and reducing lead exposure, especially in children, should always be a top priority," Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said.
"This statewide program to replace residential lead pipes in areas of the state that need it most will improve the health of New Yorkers."
Lead poisoning can harm a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn.
Women who are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant should take extra care to avoid lead as it can be harmful to babies before they are born, the state.
The state requires health care providers test all children for lead with a blood lead test at one and two years of age.
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