What Are PFAS, and Why Are They an Emerging Health Concern?
We use many organic and inorganic chemical compounds to develop everyday products, and these chemicals sometimes make it into our soil and groundwater and eventually into our water supply. Consider a group of fluorinated chemicals called PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. As a group, PFAS are resistant to heat and repel water and oil,… Read More »
Tags: Contaminant, Environmental, Environmental Impact, perfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl substances, Remediate PFAS, Remediation, Sampling
A Proactive Program at Work: Investing in Dam Repairs Averts Crisis
Dams are an integral part of our lives, providing recreational opportunities, power generation, flood control, wildlife habitat, and other important functions. More than 2,100 high-hazard-potential dams are operating in the United States, as reported in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Their failure could result in the loss of life for… Read More »
Tags: Dam, Dam Repairs, Disaster Prevention, Flood, Grant Program, Grant Services, Grants, Municipal Dam, Sluiceway Gate, Spillway, Structural Inspection, Water Resources
Best Management Practices for Stormwater Runoff Facilities: Detention vs. Retention
April showers bring more than May flowers. Snow melt and springtime rains also bring stormwater runoff pains. Why is stormwater runoff a problem? Stormwater runoff impacts two areas: water quantity and water quality. When vegetative surface cover is replaced with streets and buildings, the rate of stormwater runoff, which starts as precipitation (rain, sleet, and… Read More »
Tags: Detention Facilities, Erosion, Flood, Floodwater, Pollutants, Pollution, Retention Facilities, Sediments, Stormwater, Stormwater Runoff, Water Quality