Quantcast

New PFAS guidelines – a water quality scientist explains technology and investment needed to get forever chemicals out of US drinking water

PFAS can be found in hundreds of water systems in the U.S. (d3sign/Moment via Getty Images)

Harmful chemicals known as PFAS can be found in everything from children’s clothes to soil to drinking water, and regulating these chemicals has been a goal of public and environmental health researchers for years. On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed what would be the first set of federal guidelines regulating levels of PFAS in drinking water. The guidelines will be open to public comment for 60 days before being finalized.

Joe Charbonnet is an environmental engineer at Iowa State University who develops techniques to remove contaminants like PFAS from water. He explains what the proposed guidelines would require, how water utilities could meet these requirements and how much it might cost to get these so-called forever chemicals out of U.S. drinking water. Continue reading New PFAS guidelines – a water quality scientist explains technology and investment needed to get forever chemicals out of US drinking water

Advertisement

Norwalk 1TD plans $5M project to clean PFAs from contaminated well field

The First Taxing District facility on Grandview Avenue, in 2019. (File photo)

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk’s First Taxing District hopes federal funding will help pay for a $5 million project to remove PFAs – “forever chemicals” known to be harmful to human health – from First Taxing District water supplies.

On Tuesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first federal limits on the class of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in drinking water. “Once finalized, the standards will force states to begin the arduous and expensive process of cleaning their water supplies” of some PFAs, Grist reports. “…This marks the first time the EPA has proposed enforceable drinking water limits for PFAS, which are commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down over time and can remain in the environment for years on end.” Continue reading Norwalk 1TD plans $5M project to clean PFAs from contaminated well field

Advertisement

PFAs add to Norwalk Council’s concern about artificial turf fields

Tuesday’s Norwalk Common Council meeting on Zoom.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk needs to reconsider its use of artificial turf on playing fields given its “many dangerous features,” Common Council member Lisa Shanahan (D-District E) said.

“By far and away, the greatest danger that artificial fields pose to all of us, whether we play on the field or not, is to our drinking water,” Shanahan said Tuesday. “There is not a turf field constructed today that does not have high levels of PFAs embedded in its materials. That includes the so-called new and improved fields that have crumb rubber infields. This PFAs leeches immediately upon installation and the leaching increases as the fields age.” Continue reading PFAs add to Norwalk Council’s concern about artificial turf fields

Advertisement

League legislative forum; Maritime Aquarium events; Nominees wanted

Passengers and an educator make observations on The Maritime Aquarium’s Marine Life Encounter Cruise. The outings aboard RV Spirit of the Sound explore the biodiversity of Long Island Sound. Dates and times of cruises vary by low tide. (The Maritime Aquarium)

Announcements of interest.

NORWALK, Conn. — Some Norwalk announcements for you:

  • League holds legislative forum
  • Special days at The Maritime Aquarium
  • Aquarion seeks Environmental Champions

Continue reading League legislative forum; Maritime Aquarium events; Nominees wanted

Advertisement

‘Scale it Back’: Public asks developer to reconsider application as Commission continues hearing

Diane Cece, East Norwalk Neighborhood Association (ENNA) Board President, upper left, speaks to the Planning and Zoning Commission at Thursday’s hybrid public hearing on a proposed development, The Lofts at Mill Pond.

NORWALK, Conn. —  At the public hearing on the plans for 1 Cemetery St., which was continued from two weeks ago, more than 35 residents took advantage of their opportunity to weigh in on the project, with almost all speaking out against it.

Some said that they would support the project if adjustments were made.

“I’m here today to speak in favor of the project — so long as it is scaled back,” said resident Sam Haigh. Continue reading ‘Scale it Back’: Public asks developer to reconsider application as Commission continues hearing

Advertisement

Social media outcry adds suspicion to Norwalk man’s parking ticket anger

Signs on Belden Avenue.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk parking ambassadors are not using an app that alerts them to expiring parking meters, Norwalk Director of Transportation, Mobility, and Parking James Travers said Wednesday.

Former Common Council member Manny Langella said he heard the claim Tuesday after publicizing his own parking ticket dismay on social media. Continue reading Social media outcry adds suspicion to Norwalk man’s parking ticket anger

Advertisement

Johnson’s coffee hour relocates; Norwalk Symphony; Maritime Aquarium community scientists

Diamondback terrapins. (Maritime Aquarium)

Announcements of interest.

NORWALK, Conn. — Some Norwalk announcements for you:

  • Johnson’s Saturday constituent session move to Cafe Dolce
  • Norwalk Symphony to present Beethoven performance
  • Maritime Aquarium’s Terrapin Tracking Team seeks volunteers

Continue reading Johnson’s coffee hour relocates; Norwalk Symphony; Maritime Aquarium community scientists

Advertisement

Ford gone; Norwalk seeks new Tax Assessor

Ad on the City’s website.

Norwalk Tax Assessor William Ford, as shown in a 2022 Common Council Finance Committee meeting on Zoom.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk is looking for a new Tax Assessor, in an ad posted four days ago.

Mayor Harry Rilling touched on the issue briefly at Tuesday’s Board of Estimate and Tax (BET) budget review meeting, at which the Tax Assessor’s Office was one of the departments up for a discussion. BET member Jim Frayer asked if Ford was going to comment on budgetary line items and Rilling said, “Mr. Ford is no longer with the City.” Continue reading Ford gone; Norwalk seeks new Tax Assessor

Advertisement

Sports Haus to offer pickleball, golf and padel in South Norwalk

A rendering of the Sports Haus facility planned for Woodward Avenue, showing pickleball courts.(Contributed)

NORWALK – Sports Haus, founded by four avid tennis players, is opening a former warehouse as an indoor padel, virtual golf and pickleball center coming this summer.

The founders – Juan Arraya, Patricio Misitrano, Mark Fischl and Mark Parsons – will open the 38,000-square-foot facility at 129 Woodward Ave. in July, according to Misitrano. Continue reading Sports Haus to offer pickleball, golf and padel in South Norwalk

Advertisement

CT could see major boost from nuclear submarine deal

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey visits the General Dynamics Electric Boat Facility in Groton, Conn., Jan. 31, 2013. (D. Myles Cullen / U.S. Department of Defense)

As President Joe Biden unveiled the initial details of an international deal to provide nuclear-powered submarines in San Diego on Monday, he pointed to the U.S.S. Missouri behind him in the Pacific Ocean. The construction of that Virginia-class attack sub was awarded two decades ago to Electric Boat’s facility in Groton.

Biden called it a “vanguard of U.S. naval power” as the U.S. agreed to send up to five Virginia-class submarines to Australia over the coming years to help build its first conventionally armed, nuclear-powered fleet. Continue reading CT could see major boost from nuclear submarine deal

Advertisement

Norwalk Grand List falls $167.5 million

A contruction worker high above South Main Street, Feb. 22 in South Norwalk. Plans for the development dubbed 10 Monroe St. include a six-story, 150-unit mixed-use building.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk’s Grand List is down $167.5 million in net taxable value, a 1.1% decrease.

Tax Assessor William Ford pegs the 2021 Grand List total net assessment at $14,940,705,232 versus $15,108,214,790 in 2020. The 2022 gross value is $15,182,731,112. Continue reading Norwalk Grand List falls $167.5 million

Advertisement

A Norwalk photo #169

(David Fales)

NORWALK, Conn. — David Fales used a drone to take this photo showing the site of a controversial proposed development, up for a Planning and Zoning Commission vote Wednesday.

The Lofts at Mill Pond would replace the former Wells Fargo Bank, shown in the upper part of the photo, a lot that is largely asphalt.

Shown in the foreground is the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery, referred to as “the green” by representatives of Mill Pond Holdings LLC, the applicant seeking to build 77 apartments and 6,000 square feet of commercial space at 1 Cemetery St., a 1.66-acre lot. Continue reading A Norwalk photo #169

Advertisement

Attention West Norwalk

Send signed letters to [email protected], with a suggested headline.

Residents of West Norwalk should be aware that the West Norwalk Association will be holding a meeting this Wednesday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the library at Fox Run Elementary School.

“The purpose of The West Norwalk Association,” according to its constitution, “is to foster and preserve the residential character and quality of life in the West Norwalk community.”  As Anthony Carrano, the last elected President of the WNA wrote in an email to West Norwalk residents: “The current 5 board members have far exceeded the term limits and need to be replaced.”

Hence, if you are a West Norwalk resident concerned about traffic, garbage, abandoned properties, noise or any other issues affecting your wellbeing and/or the wellbeing of your neighbors, you are encouraged to attend the meeting.  There you will have a chance to help elect a new President and board and meet with others to discuss how to address those issues.  Continue reading Attention West Norwalk

Advertisement