drinking water testing

Elementary California Water Basics—Getting an Education from the Foundation

Californians pride themselves on being water savvy—the Golden State’s vast infrastructure of reservoirs and aqueducts has supported its agricultural industry and booming population for decades. But as global climate change continues to bake the state, California needs massive changes to its water conservation models—starting with better water education.

The Water Education Foundation, a nonprofit established in 1977, instructs Californians about…

The Next Phase in California’s Investigation of PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are turning up across the Golden State. The State Water Board released preliminary data in March 2020 which suggests around half of the 600 public water supply wells near landfills, military installations, and airports have detections of PFOA, PFOS, or other PFAS.

Trending Now: WOTUS Protections Roll Back

While today’s political climate is arguably the most divisive in history, we believe those in the water industry agree on the importance of providing consumers with safe, clean drinking water. This month the Trump administration announced regulations that considerably weaken clean water protections. As the LA Times reports: 

“Defying environmentalists and public health advocates, the Trump administration on Thursday announced the replacement of Obama-era water protections with a significantly weaker set of regulations that lifts limits on how much pollution can be dumped into small streams and wetlands.

EPA Announces New Method to Test for Additional PFAS in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a new validated method for testing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Babcock Laboratories played a valuable role in the EPA’s validation study for Method 533 and is well-equipped to offer additional PFAS analyses to water agencies interested in a more comprehensive look into their source waters. 

Water Board OKs Over $240 Million for Clean Drinking Water

In response to Govenor Newsom’s signing of SB 200 establishing the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, the State Water Resources Control Board authorized use of $241.5 Million for a program aimed at addressing California’s current drinking water quality challenges. As the Water Board’s media release states: 

State and Federal PFAS Updates

Making State and National news, there is no doubt that PFAS is top of mind for water experts and consumers alike. To provide you with an updated snapshot of the many moving parts of this complex issue, let’s take a look at what’s currently in the PFAS pipeline: