Our work to protect clean water across the country often makes the news. Clean Water Waves highlights recent articles featuring our staff speaking on their areas of activism and expertise.
National
Reusable cup systems gain scale through city and venue partnerships
Lela Nargi | WasteDive | August 17th, 2023
The scene of trash cans overflowing with discarded drink cups is familiar to anyone who’s ever seen the aftermath of a music festival, football game or other live event. This is beginning to change, thanks in part to efforts from certain U.S. cities trying to reduce their carbon footprints.
While full data on the messes caused by single-use waste at events isn’t available, prior estimates by groups such as Clean Water Action have indicated that Americans may be ditching billions of single-use cups per year. The vast majority of these — whether made from plastic-coated paper or plastics such as PET, polylactic acid or polystyrene — are often not recycled at venues.
Read More on our work to ReThink Disposable Nationally
Pennsylvania
Could vibrations help water utilities find lead pipes? Researchers in Philly are trying
Sophia Schmidt | WHYY | August 23rd, 2023
“Philadelphia Water Department officials say they expect the EPA to eventually require utilities to replace all lead service lines. Knowing where these lead pipes are is crucial, said Maurice Sampson, Eastern Pennsylvania director at the national nonprofit Clean Water Action — which pushed for the inventory requirement.
“We need to know where [the lead] is,” Sampson said. “Then we can make a real plan for getting rid of them. We can also get really focused on where the primary concern is.”
“Sampson says corrosion control treatment works, but he sees it as just a temporary solution.
Disasters like the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan — where officials failed to use corrosion control treatment after switching water sources in 2014 — show that as long as pipes are made of lead, there’s a risk that something can go wrong.
““If you want to have assurance that you’re not going to be poisoned, then you want to make sure there’s nothing in the line that might poison you,” Sampson said.”
Read More on Lead Removal & Environmental Justice in PA
In Our Own Words
California
Op-Ed | Forever chemicals’ are in our bodies and drinking water. We must stop using them | The Sacramento Bee | August 11th, 2023
California legislative and policy director Andria Ventura joined Assemblymember Phil Ting on a joint opinion piece about PFAS prevention measures and urgency at the state and federal level.
Read More on 2023 CA Legislative Priorities
Maryland
Radio | The future of Baltimore's aging sewage and water system | WYPR | August 1st, 2023
Maryland Program Coordinator Jennifer Kunze joined WYPR's On The Record to discuss the consequences of aging sewage infrastructure for Baltimore city residents.
Read More on Sewage & Infrastructure in MD
Michigan
Podcast | Fighting To Close Line 5 w/ Sean McBrearty of Oil & Water Don’t Mix | Left Of Lansing | August 10th, 2023
Michigan Legislative and Policy Director Sean McBrearty speaks on his work as coordinator of the Oil & Water Don't Mix coalition, focused on shutting down Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline and proposed tunnel crossing under Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Read More on the fight to Shut Down Line 5 in MI
Minnesota
Podcast | Minnesota Leads the Nation in Protecting Residents from PFAS Chemicals | VoiceAmerica | August 4th, 2023
Clean Water Action Minnesota Director Avonna Starck spoke to Jill Buck on VoiceAmerica's program Go Green Radio on Minnesota's historic PFAS Prevention Package legislation.
Read More on PFAS Prevention Victory in MN
