Pennsylvania’s portion of Lake Erie on track to become a national marine sanctuary

Sylas YaradAugust 11, 2023

The proposal looks to protect dozens of underwater shipwrecks in Lake Erie off the coast of Pennsylvania while still allowing for fishing, boating and diving.

ConservationCultureRecreationWaterWild PennsylvaniaYour Environment Update

Sunoco Pipeline ordered to pay $660,000 for environmental violations, DEP says

Zoë ReadJuly 28, 2023

The violations are for water contamination across the state caused by the company’s Mariner East pipeline construction project between 2018 and 2021.

EnergyPollutionWater

Penn State studies seek to show human impact of climate-related disasters

Rachel McDevittJuly 20, 2023

Central Pennsylvania communities have seen a number of severe floods over the past few years, and climate change is making these events more likely.

Climate ChangeWater

Study finds radioactive materials in waterways near treatment plants associated with fracking waste

Reid FrazierJuly 20, 2023

Pitt and Duquesne University researchers found radium downstream of wastewater treatment plants that treat runoff from landfills that accept frack waste.

EnergyWater

Nearly half of drinking water in the U.S. contains toxic PFAS chemicals

Zoë ReadJuly 13, 2023

The study by U.S. Geological Survey finds PFAS is most prevalent in urban areas, and near airports, industry, and wastewater facilities.

HealthWater

PWSA receives $52.4M EPA loan to continue drinking water system improvements

Jillian ForstadtJune 9, 2023

The EPA loan came through the federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which aims to modernize aging treatment systems.

EconomyEnvironmental JusticePoliticsPollutionWater

A Penn State researcher weighs in on the UN negotiations to end plastic pollution

Kara HolsoppleJune 9, 2023

Countries met in Paris to decide whether plastic production or recycling should be the focus of the agreement they hope to adopt by 2024.

EconomyPollutionWaterYour Environment Update

EPA working with 5 Pa. farms on targeted pollution reduction to benefit Chesapeake Bay

Rachel McDevittMay 30, 2023

Agriculture accounts for about 90% of the reductions needed for Pennsylvania to meet its goals for the Bay.

Food and AgricultureWater

Temple researchers to study how drinking water from private wells impacts children’s health

Zoë ReadMay 19, 2023

Participants in the study will receive a treatment system or a placebo device to assess the correlation between water quality and health.

HealthPollutionWater

The Phosphorus Paradox: We use it to grow food, but it’s poisoning our water

Points NorthMay 3, 2023

Phosphorus, a key ingredient in agricultural fertilizers, is fueling harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes.

PollutionWaterYour Environment Update