44 h. ago If Trump cuts funding to NPR and PBS, rural America will pay a devastating price

Much of the country has little access to local news, with public media filling the void – and serving as a lifelineWhen Hurricane Helene walloped North Carolina last fall, residents were hit by a second threat at the same time: the dire need for accurate information.The loss of electric power amid the widespread flooding meant that people – especially those in isolated areas – were deprived of basic news. They needed to know about everything from road closures to the whereabouts of their family and friends to sources of drinkable water.Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture Continue reading...

Economics

47 h. ago ‘Tastes like water’: how a US facility is recycling sewage to drink

A California project can turn sewage into drinking water in less than 45 minutes and could be a blueprint for other water-scarce regionsAs the pumps whir around us, Denis Bilodeau motions to the liquid in the vats below. It looks like iced tea, but in fact it’s secondary treated sewage, cleaned of any solids by the plant next door. In less than an hour, and after three steps of processing, we will be drinking it – as pure water.The Groundwater Replenishment System facility in Orange County, California, houses the pipes, filters and pumps to move up to 130m gallons each day – enough for 1 million people – processing it from dark to clear. The facility, which opened in 2008, is part of broader moves to help conserve water. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Cockatoos start sipping from Sydney’s drinking fountains after mastering series of complex moves

Experts think the clever birds learned the technique by watching people and then trying it themselvesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSulphur-crested cockatoos in Sydney have worked out how to operate drinking fountains, with footage showing the white birds gripping and turning the handle before leaning in for a sip.Researchers set up camera traps and recorded the birds taking turns at a drinking fountain in western Sydney. Scientists observed more than 500 attempts over 44 days and revealed the birds were successful about 46% of the time.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Are tampons safe? New study finds toxic pesticide levels 40 times higher than allowed in drinking water

Traces of glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer, has been identified at very high levels in tampons

Events

6 d. ago England's yellow and parched land: How soaring immigration and a 30

This week ministers admitted that the country could run out of drinking water within 10 years as they unveiled plans to fast-track the building of two new reservoirs.

Politics

8 d. ago Kids will develop 25.4 million more cavities if fluoride is banned nationwide, study finds

Fluoride has been used in public drinking water systems across the country since 1945

Events

8 d. ago Toxic pesticide levels in tampons 40 times higher than allowed in drinking water

About 300 pesticides are used in cotton production globally and roughly a third of these are toxic

Events

8 d. ago UK tampons found with pesticide levels 40 times higher than drinking water limits

Scientists have discovered dangerously high levels of a cancer-linked pesticide in UK tampons — tested at 40 times the safe limit for drinking water — raising urgent concerns over health risks

Politics

9 d. ago Tampons in UK supermarkets contain toxic pesticides at levels '40 times higher than legal limit for water'

Scientists have discovered a pesticide linked to cancer at very high levels in tampons in the UK

Events

9 d. ago England could run out of drinking water within TEN YEARS as mass immigration fuels rapid population growth, warns minister

Emma Hardy said the country faces an 'infrastructure crisis' as she set out plans for the Government to seize take control of the planning process for two new reservoirs.

Events

9 d. ago England could run out of drinking water within TEN YEARS, warns minister

Emma Hardy said the country faces an 'infrastructure crisis' as she set out plans for the Government to seize take control of the planning process for two new reservoirs.

Events

1 week ago Toxic pesticide levels found in tampons 40 times higher than legal limit for water

Glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer, found at very high levels in menstrual products in the UK, according to reportToxic pesticide levels have been found in tampons at levels 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water.Traces of glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer, has been found at very high levels in menstrual products, according to a report by the Pesticide Action Network UK (Pan UK), the Women’s Environmental Network and the Pesticide Collaboration. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Urgent warning to British women as scientists discover toxic pesticides in UK TAMPONS at 40 times the drinking water limit

They're the product that many women religiously reach for every month. But scientists have issued a warning to British women after discovering toxic pesticides in tampons.

Events

2 w. ago Hundreds without drinking water and more storms forecast in southern French region devastated by deadly floods

One resident recalled the moment he rescued a pensioner from a car being swept away by floodwater after thunderstorms in Var, southeast France

Events

2 w. ago Experts warn of 5 types of fruit and veg that contain worrying levels of toxic pesticides

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested produce for pesticides and their findings show that several of the UK's most common fruits and vegetables are covered in chemicals.

Events

3 w. ago Anglian Water fined record £1.42m for contaminating water supply

Firm prosecuted after unapproved material in tanks led to flakes and powder entering drinking water of 1.3m peopleAnglian Water has been fined a record £1.42m for contaminating the water supply.The company, which covers the east of England, received the fine at Northampton crown court after a prosecution brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) for failures that affected 1.3 million people. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Anglian receives record £1.42m fine for drinking water failures

The company was found to have used unapproved plastic-based products to externally coat pipework submerged within some of their drinking water tanks.

Economics

3 w. ago Major update after urgent 'do not drink' warning was issued to British homes after faecal bacteria was found in tap water

Residents in a region hit by a boil water notice have received a major update regarding the water ban that was put in place yesterday due to high levels of bacteria.

Events

3 w. ago How 'forever chemicals' have seeped into almost everything – video

Pfas are a group of thousands of chemicals that are used for their non-stick and water-resistant properties. They are often refered to as 'forever chemicals' because they can take thousands of years to break down. Pfas are being found in so many everyday items that it's starting to feel like they are everywhere - non-stick frying pans, waterproof mascaras, stain-resistant clothing, packaging for takeaway food items. Pfas are even in our food, our drinking water and in the rain. Josh Toussaint-Strauss talks to Leana Hosea and Rachel Salvidge of Watershed investigations, a nonprofit that works to expose the causes behind Pfas contamination. Together they discuss what the spread of Pfas means for our health and the environment, and what can be done to get rid of them or at least limit our exposure. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Why Scottish tap water is 'best in the world' to drink from geography to weather

Scots might take the tap water for granted but when you compare it to other major cities, we are very lucky

Politics