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In the news

Backyard sewage and parasitic disease: EPA opens a civil rights probe in Alabama

Published:
October 10, 2023
Source:
Grist
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Author:

Advocates allege the state hindered Black residents from receiving critical federal funds.

In the news

Cleaning up cruise ships’ environmental wake

Published:
October 4, 2023
Source:
Mongabay
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Author:

In July, Amsterdam became the latest in a series of cities to regulate against huge cruise ships in an attempt to tackle pollution and the burden of overtourism. The Dutch capital joins other cities, such as Venice in Italy, Monterey Bay in California, and Bar Harbor in Maine, in seeking to limit the impact of cruises.

Videos & podcasts

Basically killing everything': Major Auckland sewage spill likely destroying marine life

Published:
October 2, 2023
Source:
News Hub
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Author:

Watercare has offered a sincere apology to Aucklanders over the recent sewage sinkhole. It comes as marine scientists revealed the millions of tons of human waste spilling into the Waitematā Harbour is likely destroying everything in its immediate path.

Tools

A Guide for Integrated Conservation and Sanitation Programs and Approaches

Published:
October 1, 2023
Source:
The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society
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Author:
SNAPP Improving Coastal Health Working Group

This guide bridges human health and ecosystem resilience. It challenges siloed strategies by integrating WASH with conservation efforts, addressing the interconnectedness highlighted by recent research.

In the news

Over Half of Idaho's Sewage Facilities had Pollution Violations Last Year

Published:
September 28, 2023
Source:
Big Country News
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Author:

A new report finds more than half of the sewage facilities in Idaho had pollution violations in 2022.The sixth annual analysis by the Idaho Conservation League says 57% of the state's wastewater treatment plants discharged harmful substances last year.

In the news

Scientists use water fleas to filter pollutants out of wastewater

Published:
September 26, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:

Tiny water fleas could play a big role in filtering out drugs, pesticides and industrial chemicals from wastewater to make it safe, according to scientists.

In the news

Cesspools Are Killing Hawai‘i’s Coral – But It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way

Published:
September 25, 2023
Source:
Hawaii Business
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Author:

The toxic stew of poo, pee, pharmaceuticals and other contaminants sent into the ground, seeps into the groundwater and often ends up in the ocean, where it harms nearshore coral and can sicken swimmers.

In the news

Treated and untreated sewage greatest threat to river biodiversity, says study

Published:
September 20, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:

Pollution from treated and untreated sewage is the greatest threat to river biodiversity, causing more damage than runoff from farms, according to research.

In the news

Access To Clean Water Is A Key Concern For Most Americans, Survey Finds

Published:
September 19, 2023
Source:
Forbes
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Author:

More than three quarters of Americans are more concerned about access to clean and safe water than other climate-related issues, according to a new international study.

In the news

Opinion: As Imperial Beach mayor, I demand our government leaders take the sewage crisis seriously

Published:
September 15, 2023
Source:
San Diego Union Tribune
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Author:

Opening your window at night in hope of a cool breeze during a hot summer night is not uncommon. Doing so in Imperial Beach is no longer an option. The once-occasional stench of sewage has now become commonplace.

In the news

TIFF 2023: ‘Boil Alert’ doc examines most ‘egregious’ water crisis examples in North America

Published:
September 13, 2023
Source:
Global News Canada
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Author:

When documentarian James Burns and Apache guitarist Stevie Salas set out to create a film that examined the ongoing impacts of the water crisis in Indigenous communities, the two knew they wanted the final piece to be an exploration of identity and how it’s tied to Earth’s most abundant natural resource.

In the news

Water hookups come to Alaska Yup’ik village, and residents are thrilled to ditch their honey buckets

Published:
September 8, 2023
Source:
Associated Press
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Author:

Sanitation workers Thomas Noatak and Joseph Moses start every workday riding a four-wheeler along the muddy roads of this small Yup’ik village on southwestern Alaska’s vast Kuskokwim River, looking for human waste.

In the news

These five cities could be one natural disaster away from a catastrophic water crisis

Published:
September 2, 2023
Source:
CNN
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Author:

What happened in Jackson, experts say, is a bellwether for what’s to come if America continues to kick the can down the road in addressing its aging and crumbling water infrastructure. The climate crisis threatens to make those issues even more pressing.

In the news

Amid new spills and stink, U.S. senators request millions more to fix Tijuana sewage crisis

Published:
August 30, 2023
Source:
San Diego Tribune
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Author:

California’s Senators are urging Congress for $310 million in new emergency spending to fix the rampant sewage pollution that repeatedly flows from Tijuana to San Diego’s South County shoreline.

In the news

Lough Neagh ‘dying in plain sight’ due to vast algal blooms

Published:
August 23, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:

Agencies say toxic blue-green algae, thought to be driven by farm runoff and sewage, recorded at levels not seen since 1970s

Publications

Wastewater-Turning Problem to Solution

Published:
August 23, 2023
Source:
Global Wastewater Initiative (GWWI)
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Author:

This new report, “Wastewater - Turning problem to solution”, developed jointly by UNEP's Global Wastewater Initiative and GRID-Arendal, urges decision-makers and action-takers from all regions of the world to implement the three key actions, to overcome barriers, and to put in place the building blocks, described in the publication.

In the news

‘An utter disgrace’: 90% of England’s most precious river habitats blighted by raw sewage and farming pollution

Published:
August 12, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:

More than 90% of freshwater habitats on England’s most precious rivers are in unfavourable condition, blighted by farming pollution, raw sewage and water abstraction, an Observer investigation reveals.

In the news

When water pollution is rife in the UK, where's safe for wild swimming?

Published:
August 10, 2023
Source:
National Geographic
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Author:

The popularity of wild swimming in UK rivers has boomed in recent years — especially since the pandemic, when people sought a closer connection with nature. But as our interest has taken off, so too have headlines about poor water quality from sewage and chemical pollution. So what exactly is happening, and how safe is it to take a cooling dip this summer?

In the news

Rising flood risks threaten many water and sewage treatment plants across the US

Published:
August 10, 2023
Source:
Associated Press
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Author:

It’s not just Ludlow. Water infrastructure across the country is vulnerable as climate change makes storms more unpredictable and destructive, flooding low-lying drinking water treatment plants and overwhelming coastal sewage systems.

In the news

Controlling pollution and overfishing can help protect coral reefs — but it’s not enough

Published:
August 9, 2023
Source:
nature.com
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Author:

Minimizing land-based and sea-based human impacts at the same time might help reefs to recover from marine heatwaves, a study has found. But researchers warn that, in the absence of aggressive action to limit global warming, addressing impacts such as pollution and overfishing is insufficient to counter the growing threat.

In the news

The Weird Way That Human Waste Is Killing Corals

Published:
August 9, 2023
Source:
Wired
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Author:

Wastewater fuels blooms of reef-smothering algae. Better engineering and an army of funny-looking fish can come to the rescue.

Publications

Coral reefs benefit from reduced land–sea impacts under ocean warming

Published:
August 9, 2023
Source:
Nature
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Author:

Coral reef ecosystems are being fundamentally restructured by local human impacts and climate-driven marine heatwaves that trigger mass coral bleaching and mortality. Reducing local impacts can increase reef resistance to and recovery from bleaching.

In the news

Surf school forced to cancel lessons as sewage pumped into sea

Published:
August 7, 2023
Source:
Wales Online
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Author:

An inclusive surf school offering adapted lessons for disabled young people has spoken out after pollution alerts forced them to cancel sessions during a busy summer

In the news

Researchers say vital seagrass is dying off at rapid rates in Florida

Published:
August 5, 2023
Source:
NBC Miami
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Author:

Seagrass, a plant that grows underwater and is abundant throughout Florida, is vital to human life. It's also dying off rapidly due to environmental damage and climate change, researchers say.

In the news

Fifty-seven swimmers fall sick and get diarrhoea at world triathlon championship in Sunderland

Published:
August 5, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:

Athletes competing on stretch of UK coastline where reduced water quality at centre of dispute over sewage discharges

In the news

Sewage spill into Indian River Bay shuts down shellfishing

Published:
August 4, 2023
Source:
PBS
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Author:

Delaware’s Indian River Bay is a popular spot for clamming and mussel harvesting. But the state has banned these activities until the end of the month after a Millsboro wastewater facility discharged raw sewage into a tributary of the Indian River, which flows into the Bay.

In the news

Mussels Inspire Wastewater Innovation That's a Win for Sustainability and Industry

Published:
August 4, 2023
Source:
Technology Networks
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Author:

Engineers have developed a new kind of membrane that separates chemicals within wastewater so effectively that they can be reused, presenting a new opportunity for industries to improve sustainability, while extracting valuable by-products and chemicals from wastewater.

In the news

Raw sewage in rare habitats: 9 beautiful places water companies are polluting with sewage

Published:
August 2, 2023
Source:
Greenpeace
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Author:

Sewage poured into England and Wales’ most-precious coastlines and waterways for more than 300,000 hours in 2022, a new Unearthed investigation has found.Greenpeace’s investigative journalists found nearly 1,200 sewage pipes that spilled in or close to important natural habitats last year.

In the news

San Francisco isn’t doing enough to protect residents from sewage pollution, Ninth Circuit rules

Published:
July 31, 2023
Source:
SF Chronicle
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Author:

San Francisco must take all steps necessary to protect swimmers and bathers from sewage pollution discharged into the Pacific from a wastewater treatment plant at the southwest corner of the city, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.

In the news

Water pollution time bomb threatens global health

Published:
July 18, 2023
Source:
Nature Briefing
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Author:
Lilly Tozer

Without adequate investment in water infrastructure or treatment, modeling shows that water quality in South America, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa would get substantially worse.

Publications

Effects of Multiple Drivers of Environmental Change on Native and Invasive Macroalgae in Nearshore Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

Published:
July 17, 2023
Source:
AGU
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Author:

This study adapts a land-sea modeling framework by calibrating marine models with macroalgal experiments to quantitatively assess impacts of climate and land use change on submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and subsequent habitat suitability for a native (Ulva lactuca) and an invasive (Hypnea musciformis) macroalgae in nearshore GDEs in Kona, Hawai'i.

In the news

Next phase of recycled water begins for California

Published:
July 11, 2023
Source:
California Water Boards
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Author:

Regulation proposed for water systems to add wastewater that has been treated to levels meeting or exceeding all drinking water standards to their potable supplies.

In the news

Alabama Black Belt becomes environmental justice test case: Is sanitation a civil right?

Published:
July 7, 2023
Source:
al.com
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Author:
Dennis Pillion

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that Alabama had agreed to remediate a sewage crisis in majority-Black Lowndes County.

In the news

NASA just recycled 98% of all astronaut pee and sweat on the ISS (engineers are thrilled)

Published:
June 25, 2023
Source:
space.com
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Author:
Robert Lea

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have achieved a 98% water recovery rate in a breakthrough achieved by a method that might make the faint of heart slightly squeamish: they hit peak astronaut pee recycling.

In the news

Canada clamps down on cruise liners dumping sewage, green groups want more

Published:
June 23, 2023
Source:
Reuters
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Author:

Canada on Friday banned cruise ships from dumping sewage and dirty water close to shore, and said it would impose fines of up to C$250,000 ($190,000) for offending vessels.

In the news

AI to stop water pollution before it happens

Published:
June 16, 2023
Source:
BBC
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Author:
Jonah Fisher

Artificial intelligence will be used in south-west England to predict pollution before it happens and help prevent it.

In the news

Marine Protected Areas, Explained

Published:
June 8, 2023
Source:
Hakai Magazine
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Author:
Brian Owens

Marine protected areas, or MPAs, are a primary tool for protecting marine species and ecosystems. But the term is not as clearly defined as you might expect.

In the news

Beyond the Yuck Factor: Cities Turn to ‘Extreme’ Water Recycling

Published:
June 6, 2023
Source:
Yale School of the Environment
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Author:
Jim Robbins

San Francisco is at the forefront of a movement to recycle wastewater from commercial buildings, homes, and neighborhoods and use it for toilets and landscaping. This decentralized approach, proponents say, will drive down demand in an era of increasing water scarcity.

In the news

Maine plans removal of PFAS from sewage sludge used as fertilizer

Published:
May 23, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:
Tom Perkins

Utility officials in Maine and elsewhere around the country are developing first-of-their-kind plans to eliminate toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” from sewage sludge spread as fertilizer on farmland.

In the news

Stem the tide of ocean pollution to save billions of lives, dollars, and our coral reefs

Published:
April 27, 2023
Source:
Economist Impact
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Author:

Water is one of our most precious and finite resources, and how clean or polluted that water is illuminates the undeniable links between people and ecosystems. Depending on terrestrial actions–how sewage, forests and farms are managed–water can either be a vital life-giver, or a purveyor of death, burying ecosystems under pollution and ferrying disease into the heart of communities.

Videos & podcasts

Source-to-Sea Collaboration: A Gamechanger for the Whole Water Cycle

Published:
March 23, 2023
Source:
United Nations
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Author:

The side event aims to assist increasing the understanding of the impacts of human activities that alter water, biota, sediment, and of pollution flows on freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, including at the transboundary level, as well as of the solutions offered through source-to-sea action.

In the news

UN warns of ‘draining humanity’s lifeblood’ amid worsening water scarcity

Published:
March 22, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:
Nina Lakhani in New York

The United Nations opened its first water conference in almost half a century in New York on Wednesday, with a plea for countries to work together to tackle overconsumption, water guzzling industries and the climate crisis – or else face more hunger, conflicts and forced migration due to worsening water scarcity.

In the news

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in toilet paper around the world

Published:
March 13, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:
Tom Perkins

All toilet paper from across the globe checked for toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” contained the compounds, and the waste flushed down toilets and sent to sewage treatment plants probably creates a significant source of water pollution, new research has found.

In the news

Not a breath of fresh air: study finds sewage bacteria in ocean spray

Published:
March 2, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:
Katharine Gammon in Los Angeles

After a rainstorm passes, the air coming off the ocean just feels different – cleaner and fresher. But a first of its kind study shows how bacteria from sewage in the ocean can get whipped up in salt spray and blow into coastal communities miles away, a phenomenon exacerbated by storm runoff.

Publications

Bacterial and Chemical Evidence of Coastal Water Pollution from the Tijuana River in Sea Spray Aerosol

Published:
March 2, 2023
Source:
ACS Publications
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Author:
Matthew A. Pendergraft, et al.

Roughly half of the human population lives near the coast, and coastal water pollution (CWP) is widespread. Coastal waters along Tijuana, Mexico, and Imperial Beach (IB), USA, are frequently polluted by millions of gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater runoff. Entering coastal waters causes over 100 million global annual illnesses, but CWP has the potential to reach many more people on land via transfer in sea spray aerosol (SSA)

In the news

The Water Crisis No One In America Is Fixing

Published:
February 16, 2023
Source:
TIME
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Author:
Bryn Nelson

On Feb. 3, 2022, a train loaded with toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, igniting a fire and forcing the controlled release and burn of vinyl chloride, a known cancer-causing compound, to avert a disastrous explosion. The environmental catastrophe killed thousands of fish in nearby streams and has triggered growing concerns over the impact on residents’ health and on the village’s surface, ground, and well water.

In the news

Tijuana sewage pours through San Diego border canyons after recent pipe break

Published:
February 15, 2023
Source:
The San Diego Tribune
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Author:
JOSHUA EMERSON SMITH

Millions of gallons of raw sewage from Mexico are gushing into San Diego through two canyons along the border, according to federal officials. The spill is coming from at least two pump stations that were forced to shut down after a construction crew last week inadvertently ruptured a major pipeline south of Tijuana.

In the news

This is why we can't dismiss water scarcity in the US

Published:
February 10, 2023
Source:
World Economic Forum
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Author:
James Rees, Chief Impact Officer

The United Nations Water Conference will be held in New York in March this year and is the first UN meeting solely about water since 1977.Water is a fundamental human right and a critical discussion for the Water Conference will address how governments, corporations and organizations can provide safe drinking water and sanitation to communities.

In the news

Farming, pharmaceutical and health pollution fuelling rise in superbugs, UN warns

Published:
February 7, 2023
Source:
The Guardian
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Author:
Fiona Harvey, Environment editor

Pollution from livestock farming, pharmaceuticals and healthcare is threatening to destroy a key pillar of modern medicine, as spills of manure and other pollution into waterways are adding to the global rise of superbugs, the UN has warned.

Databases

A State Playbook for Creating and Sharing Drinking Water Service Area Boundaries

Published:
February 1, 2023
Source:
Environmental Policy Innovation Center
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Author:

There are nearly 50,000 community water systems in the United States that serve 90 percent of the population. And despite the importance of water to health, safety, economic mobility, and overall well being, we do not have a comprehensive, accurate map of who those systems serve.

In the news

Dereliction of doodie: Ontario’s plans for York Region’s sewage could hurt Great Lakes — and U.S. relations

Published:
January 30, 2023
Source:
The Narwhal
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Author:
Fatima Syed

"As development and urbanization around the Great Lakes increases, more pollutants (“more poop, more car pollution, more road salt, more agricultural waste”) enter the water and disrupt the natural hydrological process."

In the news

A Toxic Stew on Cape Cod: Human Waste and Warming Water

Published:
January 1, 2023
Source:
The New York Times
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Author:

Climate change is contributing to electric-green algae blooms. Massachusetts wants a cleanup of the antiquated septic systems feeding the mess, but it could cost billions.

Maps

Circular Sanitation in the Americas

Published:
January 1, 2023
Source:
Point of Shift
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Author:

An alternative to septic tanks, Circular sanitation is the process of treating human waste with other bio-waste (food scraps, agricultural waste, etc.) and converting it into compost, water, and energy. It strengthens cities, communities, and businesses by providing local, renewable resources that increase as populations grow and businesses scale.

Databases

Searchable Clearinghouse of Wastewater Technology

Published:
January 1, 2023
Source:
EPA
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Author:

Helping communities make informed choices about innovative, alternative, and reuse wastewater technologies.

Maps

Water Information Management System (WIMS)

Published:
December 31, 2022
Source:
UNEP
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Author:
United Nations University Institute for Water Environment and Health

The open-source data portal WIMS is under way as a part of the CReW+ project. It will include water-related data, including spatial information and apps, to inform water sector stakeholders and national decision-makers in the Caribbean.

Publications

Wastewater treatment in island locations

Published:
December 14, 2022
Source:
SMILO
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Author:

A guide for small island managers to understand how to improve wastewater treatment.

Courses & learning

Surfrider Stop Sewage Pollution Graphics

Published:
November 1, 2022
Source:
Surfrider Foundation
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Author:
Katie Day

In an effort to help educate communities, homeowners and decision makers about how sewage pollution gets to the beach and to inspire action to stop pollution at the source, Surfrider developed a series of awareness building resources. For instance, as a society, when we flush our toilets, we rarely think about where that water ends up, and what happens to it before it gets released back into the environment. As part of Surfrider’s Stop Sewage Pollution Campaign, this series aims to help people better realize that our actions upstream can and do significantly impact water quality and coastal resources at the coast.

Publications

Wastewater treatment plants can 'catch a cold'

Published:
October 27, 2022
Source:
Science Daily
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Author:

From the study, the researchers have shown there is a clear relationship between virus concentration and the amount of dissolved organic carbon present in the effluent water of wastewater treatment plants.

In the news

There’s Something in the Water in Virginia. Before You Say ‘Yuck,’ Wait.

Published:
October 20, 2022
Source:
New York Times
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Author:

A crucial aquifer is running low, so officials are pumping in treated sewage. It’s an increasingly common strategy as heavy demand and climate change strain water supplies.

In the news

Bacteria outbreak after Ian tells a scary story about Florida’s broken sewage systems

Published:
October 20, 2022
Source:
Florida Phoenix
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Author:

Spills happen all the time from overloaded plants and pipes, not just after a hurricane

In the news

Report: 9 billion gallons of sewage, stormwater overflowing into Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers

Published:
October 19, 2022
Source:
evironmentamerica.org
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Author:

Rapid development, heavier rainfall, and aging infrastructure are combining to deliver 9 billion gallons of sewage and stormwater into Pennsylvania’s Three Rivers each year.

In the news

Septic Waste to Seep Into Coastal Homes According to Horrifying Projection

Published:
October 14, 2022
Source:
Newsweek
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Author:

Increasing sea levels and more intense storms may result in rising groundwater levels in coastal towns and cities, possibly leading to sewage tanks leaking into homes.

Maps

Clean Water for the Three Rivers: Speeding up solutions to sewage and runoff pollution in Allegheny County

Published:
October 12, 2022
Source:
environmentamerica.org
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Author:

Building green infrastructure and protecting forests can reduce the amount of stormwater that overwhelms Allegheny County's sewage system and pollutes the region’s waterways.

Webinars

Getting our $h!t together: The urgent need and opportunities to improve public and ocean health by addressing sewage pollution

Published:
October 4, 2022
Source:
Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO Gorup)
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Author:

Roughly 80% or more of the world’s sewage enters the oceans completely untreated or poorly treated, stressing many ecosystems to the point of collapse. This challenge goes largely unnoticed until a crisis happens – a fishery is lost, beaches get closed, or, worse, people get seriously ill. The Ocean Sewage Alliance was formed to break the silence about ocean sewage pollution and bring a sense of urgency to public discourse on the issue. We do so by simultaneously raising awareness about the problem and highlighting the many opportunities that arise from addressing sewage pollution – opportunities in the form of resource recovery, job creation, and risk avoidance.

Databases

Florida Sewage Spill and Pollution Notice Tracker

Published:
October 1, 2022
Source:
Florida Today
Image Copyright:
Author:

See the most recent information regarding sewage spills and pollution in Florida.

In the news

Amid climate change, water managers see promise in recycled wastewater

Published:
September 27, 2022
Source:
NPR
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Author:

Amid climate change and mega drought in the southwest, Las Vegas water managers see promise in recycled wastewater.

In the news

A fifth of countries worldwide at risk from ecosystem collapse as biodiversity declines, reveals pioneering Swiss Re index

Published:
September 23, 2022
Source:
Swiss Re Institute
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Author:

Over half (55%) of global GDP, equal to USD 41.7 trillion 1, is dependent on high-functioning biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, a staggering fifth of countries globally (20%) are at risk of their ecosystems collapsing due to a decline in biodiversity and related beneficial services, reveals a new study by Swiss Re Institute.

In the news

Decades of systemic racism seen as root of Jackson Mississippi water crisis

Published:
September 16, 2022
Source:
PBS
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Author:

Other residents told The Associated Press on Friday that their water remains too discolored to count on, so now they’ll have to rely on water distribution by community-run charities or buy water again themselves, adding insult to injury.

Publications

Dust mitigation by the application of treated sewage effluent (TSE) in Iran

Published:
September 15, 2022
Source:
nature.com
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Author:
Maryam Naeimi et al.

Considering the presence of 274 dusty days in 2021 in Zabol city, Iran, the present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using treated sewage effluent (TSE) for dust mitigation with natural methods of increasing land cover.

Publications

Public Health Threats of Diminished Treatment of Onsite Sewage

Published:
September 15, 2022
Source:
Lancet Journals
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Author:

Discusses how onsite sanitation systems treat human pathogens and how that treatment may be diminished by climate change. Outlines disease implications of sea level rise when onsite systems are used for wastewater treatment.

In the news

The real culprit forcing beach closures near the San Diego River? Sewer leaks, researchers say

Published:
September 10, 2022
Source:
The San Diego Tribune
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Author:

A new study by San Diego State University scientists finds that the bacterial outbreaks in the San Diego River that force frequent local beach closures are caused primarily by leaks in aging sewer pipes, not by homeless encampments or failing septic tanks.

In the news

The crisis in Jackson shows how climate change is threatening water supplies

Published:
September 7, 2022
Source:
NPR
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Author:

Historic flooding and record droughts are already stressing water systems across the country, but as the threats to infrastructure posed by climate change intensify, experts warn that what happened in Jackson may be just the beginning.

In the news

A Dirty Cesspool Secret And A Cautionary Tale For Hawaii

Published:
September 4, 2022
Source:
Civil Beat
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Author:
Stuart Coleman

Hawaii faces significant challenges with its goal to convert 88,000 cesspools by 2050, but there's a rare opportunity for national leadership in new sanitation technologies and policies.

In the news

Why It's Time to Talk About Poo

Published:
August 30, 2022
Source:
bbc.com
Image Copyright:
Author:
Lina Zeldovich

The nutrients in human waste are drifting into our oceans and landfills instead of back into soils. But there are much better uses for human poo than flushing it down the drain.

In the news

Red-handed: New study links human pollution and Florida’s worsening red tide outbreaks

Published:
August 26, 2022
Source:
Miami Herald
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Author:
Marlowe Starling

When the ominous rust-colored cloud of red tide begins to saturate coastal waters in Southwest Florida, it means beach closures. Asthma attacks. Itchy skin and watery eyes. Dead fish and a wretched smell that can spoil the salty breeze. Now, scientists also know it means pollution made the scourge worse.

In the news

Should we be trying to create a circular urine economy?

Published:
August 20, 2022
Source:
ARS Technica
Image Copyright:
Author:
Keeley Larson

Removing urine from wastewater and using it as fertilizer has the potential to decrease nutrient loading in water bodies and boost sustainability by making use of a common waste material.

Publications

Investing in Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems for Equity and Sustainability

Published:
August 1, 2022
Source:
Environmental Policy Innovation Center
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Author:
Calabretta, Cunningham, Vedachalam
Briefs

Public Health & Wastewater Pollution

Published:
July 29, 2022
Source:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Image Copyright:
Author:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Briefs

Social Equity & Wastewater Pollution

Published:
July 29, 2022
Source:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Image Copyright:
Author:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Briefs

Nature-Based Solutions for Wastewater Treatment

Published:
July 29, 2022
Source:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Image Copyright:
Author:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Briefs

Resource Recovery from Domestic Wastewater

Published:
July 29, 2022
Source:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Image Copyright:
Author:
Ocean Sewage Alliance
In the news

Waste smothering our oceans is worth billions – here’s what we can do with all that sh$t

Published:
July 26, 2022
Source:
leaps.org
Image Copyright:
Author:
Stephanie Wear
In the news

A Baltimore river is so full of fecal matter it has been deemed unsafe for ‘any human contact’: report

Published:
April 23, 2022
Source:
PennLive.com - The Patriot-News
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Author:
Brian Linder
Webinars

Ocean Sewage Series: Climate Tradeoffs of Wastewater Management Strategies

Published:
April 20, 2022
Source:
Reef Resilience Network
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Author:
In the news

Backed-up pipes, stinky yards: Climate change is wrecking septic tanks

Published:
April 12, 2022
Source:
Washington Post
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Author:
Jim Morrison
In the news

Pharmaceutical water pollution detected deep in the Brazilian Amazon

Published:
March 21, 2022
Source:
Mongabay
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Author:
Jenny Gonzales
In the news

Caffeine: Emerging contaminant of global rivers and coastal waters

Published:
February 22, 2022
Source:
Mongabay
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Author:
Sean Mowbray
Videos & podcasts

Interview with Dr Stephanie Wear

Published:
February 22, 2022
Source:
Get Flushed
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Author:

Dr. Stephanie Wear

Publications

The urine revolution: how recycling pee could help to save the world

Published:
February 9, 2022
Source:
Nature
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Author:
Wald
Publications

Implications of bacterial mineralisation in aquatic ecosystem response models

Published:
February 1, 2022
Source:
Science Direct
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Author:
Ruprecht et al.
In the news

Innovative sewage solutions: Tackling the global human waste problem

Published:
January 25, 2022
Source:
Mongabay
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Author:
Sean Mowbray
In the news

Using sewage as a resource could prevent spills in the future

Published:
January 4, 2022
Source:
Long Beach Post
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Author:
Jackie Rae
Courses & learning

Water Warriors training program

Published:
January 1, 2022
Source:
Adopt A River
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Author:
Adopt A River Programme

Water Warriors training programme is a public education initiative under the Adopt A River programme developed with the aim of sensitizing communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago on the importance of water, the impact of human activities on the resource and the different ways individuals can contribute to the long term conservation and preservation of this vital resource.

Courses & learning

Free training in water, sanitation and capacity building

Published:
January 1, 2022
Source:
GEF CReW+ Academy
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Author:
GEF CReW+
Databases

The Conservation Planning Database

Published:
January 1, 2022
Source:
JCU eResearch Center
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Author:
The Conservation Planning Group

The Conservation Planning Database provides a platform to systematically compile and provide access to key information about systematic conservation planning (SCP) initiatives and thus contribute to exchanging scientific advice, best practices, tools, and lessons learned.

Publications

Managing Watersheds for Coral Reefs and Public Health

Published:
January 1, 2022
Source:
UNEP
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Author:
UNEP/WCS/Vibrant Oceans Initiative/UQueensland/UC-Irvine