Freshwater Weekly: July 6, 2020
July 2, 2020
This week: Public Health and Water Affordability Focus of All About Water Webinar + Lake Erie Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Program + Illinois Announces Two Funding Sources for Improving Water Quality + Michigan House Passes Bill For Toxic Firefighting Foam To Be Reported And Disposed + Potential for Mirages on Lake Michigan from Weather Conditions
Public Health and Water Affordability Focus of All About Water Webinar
It is no secret, but access to clean, safe water is essential to prevent public health problems. This week’s first All About Water Webinar featured amazing presentations on contaminated drinking water and connections to public health problems, including research in Detroit on mapping the water crisis that revealed the inequities that illustrate the impact of water shutoffs on public health.
Limited space available in webinar next week:
Policy & Water Affordability Webinar, Wed, July 8, 10 am to Noon ET
Strategy Session & Water Affordability, Thurs, July 9, 2020, 2-4 pm ET
Video recordings, presentations, and resources from the first four sessions featuring equity and community roles in water affordability will be available on our website.
Lake Erie Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast ProgramAn Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory webinar on July 9 will discuss the forecast for harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie for 2020. Less rainfall that distributes nutrient pollutant into the rivers connected to Lake Erie may lessen the severity of the blooms in 2020 compared to 2019. However there is no accurate prediction of the level of toxicity of harmful blooms until they occur. Register for the webinar here. Illinois Announces Two Funding Sources for Improving Water QualityThe Illinois EPA announced the availability of $9.5 million in grants to improve the quality of water. The Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan provides $5 million in grants to build green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and green roofs, to reduce pollution from stormwater. An additional $4.5 million of federal funds are available to address water quality issues directly related to polluted runoff or nonpoint source pollution. Michigan House Passes Bill For Toxic Firefighting Foam To Be Reported And DisposedMichigan House approved a bill that mandates fire departments and chiefs to report their use of firefighting foam with toxic PFAS within 48 hours of use. The state environmental department is required to accept the foam and dispose of it properly. State funding support is anticipated so fire departments will not incur disposal costs. Weather Conditions Right for Mirages on Lake MichiganGhostly ships and buildings may be visible this week on Lake Michigan due to the warm temperatures and calm conditions. The mirages, called superior images appear reversed and floating above the water. |
Blog – Freshwater Future
https://freshwaterfuture.org/lake-erie-algae/11747/
The Zoom session featured Bechle along with speakers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—Detroit District, National Weather Service Forecast Office in Milwaukee/Sullivan and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and local governments also played a role in putting the session together. About 112 participants watched it live.
